Life safety consultant should be part of the design process, but many healthcare projects often go through the early design phases without bringing in key consultants, according to an article on the FacilityCare website.
This lapse can potentially result in major changes late in the design stage, leading to massive costs and scheduling delays.
Life safety experts should offer early input on egress plans, existing conditions, occupancy concerns, effects of multiple codes of record on the project and separation/compartmentation concepts, the article said.
Using an existing life safety plan as a basis for even minor renovations also can potentially lead to problems down the road.