Presentation: Perils of Healthcare
The design and construction of healthcare facilities in Colorado can involve a myriad of rules and regulations, applicable codes and standards and multiple Authorities Having Jurisdiction. This can, and often has, led to confusion, code conflicts and coordination issues.
When one considers that a healthcare project may be subject to the IBC, IFC, IMC, NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, NFPA 99 for Health Care Facilities, and the Facility Guidelines Institute Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospitals, along with exceptions found in State and Federal Regulation, it is easy to see why issues arise. Given the inherent complexity of healthcare construction it is critical that designers, builders, and regulators all collaborate throughout a project life cycle to bring it to a successful conclusion.
This presentation will review the applicable codes and standards, and the various “gotcha’s” that could be seen along the way. The presentation will also focus on the unique aspects of healthcare facilities, especially with respect to allowances permitted for a “defend-in-place” life safety strategy.
Guest Presenters: Patrick Conroy; Tami Holley, PE; Morgan Matthew, DFPC.
The presenters share a wealth of knowledge and experience in healthcare design and construction between them all.
Patrick Conroy has decades of experience in health care construction and as a Code Official. In his time at UCHealth, Patrick has been involved in the design and construction of 15 large health care facilities, including a dozen hospitals.
Tami Holley is a renowned expert in fire alarm and other life safety systems as they pertain to health care projects and has collaborated with Patrick on multiple projects. Tami is a registered PE in multiple states and NICET IV in fire alarm. She leads a team of six extraordinary fire protection engineers at TLH Fire and is blessed to have recently added Pat to her staff.
Morgan Matthew is a Fire Code Professional Development Officer for the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control. Prior to that, she worked as a fire inspector at the state and local levels. Her inspection experience ranges from high hazard manufacturing sites to health care facilities under the jurisdiction of the DFPC, CDPHE, BHA and CMS. She is a certified Life Safety Code Inspector for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
