The titled project at the Atlanta VA Medical Center was completed to enhance the safety and compliance of the ER Suite with current fire and building codes. This project addressed a critical safety issue: the existing egress doors were locked. They could only be released by the fire alarm, a setup not recognized by code, and potentially hazardous in an emergency. The upgrade was necessary to ensure that doors could always be operable in the direction of egress, providing a safer environment for patients and staff.
The successful completion of the project was a result of a collaborative effort. The scope of the project included demolishing and removing the existing non-labeled doors and installing ten new fire-rated egress doors equipped with Von Duprin panic devices. These devices replaced the existing magnetic locks operated by electric keypads, ensuring that the doors could be quickly and easily opened in an emergency. Additionally, the project involved installing power and control wiring and conduit to the new electronic panic devices and integrating these new controls and operators into the existing building system. This comprehensive upgrade significantly improved the functionality and safety of the ER Suite’s egress routes.
