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  • Unlocking Challenges: Understanding Codes for Doors and Door Hardware in Health Care Environments

Unlocking Challenges: Understanding Codes for Doors and Door Hardware in Health Care Environments

AIAU25-AAH06R
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1 LU|HSW
Course expires on: 08/09/2028
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Description

Specifically designed for healthcare architects and emerging professionals in healthcare design, this course offers a focused exploration of codes and regulations pertaining to doors and door hardware within healthcare facilities. The course will address the specific requirements for doors and hardware based on their use and occupancy, highlighting the critical need for highly durable, code-compliant, and safe solutions in hospitals. Key discussions will encompass essential aspects such as life safety, security, and long-term performance capabilities, detailing the basic regulatory requirements, various codes, and standards applicable to doors, especially those in a means of egress and their associated hardware. Attendees will gain insights into how door and hardware choices can impact design, learning practical tools for communicating door hardware and function, and discovering potential solutions for compliance to effectively prevent unintended code violations.

This session was recorded live on September 9, 2025.

Learning Objectives

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Understand required means of egress in a building, its various components and how this can relate to doors and door hardware. 

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Discuss the different types of hardware commonly used in health care facilities and their code compliance. 

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Describe the role of codes related to panic hardware, controlled access and delayed egress. 

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Discuss how occupancy and function can affect the types of doors that are specified. 

Hosted in partnership with the Academy of Architecture for Health (AAH).

AAH

Instructors
Thomas Bahr
AIA, NCARB, EDAC, WELL AP, LEED AP BD+C, LSSYB

Thomas has over 19 years of architectural experience with a specialized focus on healthcare design. Thomas is currently a Principal at BSA and is committed to creating inspired solutions that improve lives by fostering health, wellness, and productivity. His journey in architecture has been driven by a passion for creating sustainable buildings and spaces that enhance the lives of their occupants and support the vital work they do. Thomas has a Bachelor of Architecture from Drury University and is currently co-chair of the AIA Academy of Architecture for Health Webinar Committee, chair of the AIA St. Louis Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program for 2025-2026 and is a board member of the Missouri SAVE Coalition.

Tina Duncan
AIA, CBO, ACHA

Tina Duncan is a partner and Director of Codes and Standards at HKS Architects in their Dallas office. Tina focuses on the technical aspects of healthcare design and understanding how regulatory requirements will affect the built environment. She has over 23 years of experience as an architect and healthcare planner which enabled her transition into the complex field of codes.  She is a board-certified healthcare architect (ACHA), chair of the AIA Academy of Architecture for Health Codes and Standards committee, President of the Board of Directors of Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI), member of the FGI Health Guidelines Revision Committee, member of the International Code Council and NFPA, a certified building official, a certified accessibility reviewer, member of the Dallas AIA Codes and Standards committee and member of the North Texas Council of Governments. She also co-authored the American Society of Healthcare Engineering’s, Design and Construction of Hospitals Checklist, co-edited Planning, Design, and Construction of Health Care Facilities, 4th and 5th editions by JCR and served as the chair for Weather and Man-Made Event Resiliency within the FGI Emergency Conditions Committee.  She understands the importance of code and regulation compliance while looking beyond the immediate to seek a creative and appropriate solution using the underlying principles and intent.  

Brian Henks
AIA, ACHA, EDAC

Brian Henks is a licensed healthcare architect with a strong track record of designing environments that improve patient care and support clinical operations. Recognized as a Rising Star by Healthcare Design, his portfolio includes cancer centers, emergency departments, and critical access hospitals—each shaped by a thoughtful approach to improving outcomes through design. 


Brian is board-certified by the American College of Healthcare Architects, EDAC-accredited, and an active contributor to the AIA Academy of Architecture for Health’s Codes & Standards Committee. His deep knowledge of healthcare codes and regulations supports a strategic, client-centered design process. He’s committed to creating future-ready spaces that meet the evolving needs of patients, providers, and communities. 

Leah Hummel
AIA, CHFM, CHC, CHOP-B, SASHE

Leah Hummel represents ASHE members through advocacy efforts including committee participation with several codes and standards affecting the healthcare physical environment, coordination with Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, accrediting organizations, and other authorities having jurisdiction.  Leah also educates and writes on topics like the design and regulation of the healthcare environment, life safety, and emergency management in healthcare facilities. 

Before joining ASHE, Leah worked for The Joint Commission, starting out as a Life Safety Code Surveyor and then as an Engineer with the Standards Interpretation Group.  

She was also employed as a plans reviewer/construction inspector with the North Dakota Department of Health Division of Life Safety and Construction and as a hospital facility architect responsible for planning, design, and construction projects. She started her career as a design architect working primarily on healthcare projects.  


Leah has been awarded a Bachelor of Architecture and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design from North Dakota State University.  She also attained a Health Administration Certificate from the University of North Dakota.  


Leah is a licensed architect in North Dakota and Minnesota.  She maintains certification as a Certified Healthcare Facility Manager and Certified Healthcare Constructor by ASHE. She is a Certified Healthcare Operations Professional with DNV.  She has also been recognized as a Senior member of ASHE for her commitment in advancing the profession of healthcare engineering. 


Leah serves on NFPA 99 Fundamentals of Healthcare Facilities Committee; NFPA 99 and 99B Hyperbaric and Hypobaric Facilities Committee; NFPA 101 Board and Care Facilities Committee, and NFPA 101A Alternative Approaches to Life Safety Committee.  She serves on ASHRAE 189.3 Design, Construction, and Operation of Sustainable High-Performance Health Care Facilities Committee, Facility Guidelines Institute Steering Committee, and the FGI Healthcare Guidelines Revision Committee. She is a member of the AIA Academy or Architecture for Health Codes and Standards Committee and is a Center for Health Design Knowledge Repository Partner.  

Matthew Ryan
AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, EDAC

Matt Ryan is an experienced project manager and technical architect specializing in management and medical planning for a wide range of healthcare institutions. His focus in clinical and medical lab renovations has helped the firm improve processes offering direct impacts to design and programming efforts. He collaborates closely with clients, design, and engineering teams to deliver high quality, well-coordinated document sets and is actively involved in projects from design through construction administration. His attention to details in the healthcare space matches that of his passion for high quality, built environments. He is a licensed architect, a LEED Accredited Professional and earned his accreditation and certification in Evidence Based Design from the Center for Health Design. Matt earned his Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the Catholic University of America. 

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