In yesterday’s post I wrote about a video on classroom barricade devices that had gone viral. In the first 36 hours or so, the video had 18 million views. 18 MILLION! Almost 600,000 people have shared the video on Facebook, and about 6,500 people have commented. This is an amazing (and somewhat disturbing) example of the power of social media.
Many of the comments praise the innovation and the intent behind the product demonstrated in the video. Many of the comments are related to guns in schools or gun control, which in my opinion is a separate issue and distracts from the security vs. life-safety discussion. Some of the comments describe how an active shooter’s gun can defeat the device, or shoot through the door, with lots of responses dismissing these concerns. Several people from the door and hardware industry and other readers of iDigHardware have commented or responded to the comments of others, describing the potential unintended consequences of classroom barricade devices, and the liability concerns.
What happens next remains to be seen. Will schools be pressured into using these security methods, or will they demonstrate that their existing locksets and emergency plan will accomplish their security goals while maintaining safety? Will individuals purchase the devices and be allowed to use them in their classrooms? Will code officials enforce the current model code requirements, or will they change their state or local codes to allow the use of these locking methods?
I have resisted creating a video illustrating the potential unintended consequences – a video that shows someone using the device hanging next to the door to secure the classroom and assault a student or teacher, a video that shows kids locked down in the classroom when the intruders use explosives or set a fire in the school, or a video of emergency responders delayed or prevented from entering a classroom to help in a hostage situation or an impending suicide. On the other hand it is terrifying to sit around and wait for a tragedy to occur so I can point to that as evidence of the potential side-effects of delaying egress and access.
Another video about the perceived benefits of classroom barricade devices was sent to me yesterday by Lieutenant Joseph Hendry of the Kent State University Police Department. As Lt. Hendry pointed out, the video illustrates that the device hangs on the wall next to the door, where it may be used by anyone – including an unauthorized person. Some of the devices shown in the video require the door to be opened in order to install the device and secure the door. Lt. Hendry is also a trainer with the ALICE Training Institute, and he noted that the reliance on classroom barricade devices focuses the response too heavily on traditional drive-by shooter training (lockdown) rather than active threat/terrorist training with emphasis on multi-option response and primary evacuation of the facility. For more information on this, refer to Lt. Hendry’s articles in Doors & Hardware magazine, or in Campus Safety.
The video that I received from Lt. Hendry yesterday can be accessed by clicking this link or the screenshot of the video. The link to the viral video that I wrote about yesterday is here.
Please keep me posted on what you’re hearing about barricade devices in your area.
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In this very visual world I’m not sure the door and hardware industry can combat these messages and commercials without using the same media. The fact that there are law enforcement and fire department personnel promoting these types of devices doesn’t help. We have to figure out a way to communicate our message to the PTA, school boards, and general public.
I agree, but I think the message should come from an organization representing a wider group of safety and security professionals.
– Lori
Lori, Please, PLEASE make the video: precious few people have the knowledge and the means to do this right, and you are one of them. I can think of no-one who can do it better or smarter than you. Then, please, share it to LinkedIn and facey. I have been busy sending your “I Hate Hardware” piece from yesterday to all of the people who shared that the foolish, short-sighted video to me. I even rcvd the viral video on Facebook from someone in my own company. Granted, it was a bookeeping-type person who doesn’t know much about code, or just how much goes into writing code, but still… This needs to come from someone with the knowledge and the eloquence to make the point. You can’t do this fast enough!!!
Best,
mwm
Awww…I’m feeling the love, Marcus! 🙂
– Lori
I agree with Marcus. Go forward with the video. If it stops one school from implementing one of these barricade devices, it will be worth it. I’m sure most of your followers would be happy to post it on their FB pages. I certainly would.
Thanks,
Please also make a video illustrating the code-compliant alternatives–such as the F09, F32, and F33 mortise lock functions, or the F88 and F110 cylindrical lock functions (analogous to the F09 and F32 respectively). These are all functions that require a key to lock the door from the inside, but also meet the code requirements for free egress with a single motion. People need to know that code-compliant options exist!
Did you watch this video? It uses Schlage numbers instead of the F numbers, but it gives some options for code-compliant locks on classrooms.
http://idighardware.com/2015/07/options-for-securing-classroom-doors-video/
– Lori
I use the F numbers because some schools use locks by other manufacturers. But I will take a look at that. Thanks.
I know, but we manufacture Schlage locks (and Falcon). 🙂
– Lori
I seen the video with the closer arm berricade device, the “berricuda”
dont know what else to say other then …………….not another SLEEVE!! I wonder if he has noticed the flaws with many closers and his device or the things that could go wrong while using it, (both human error and mechanical failure as well as code violations that go along with it)
I guess this guy will be the next person to ask for my help with his device, much like the first sleeve maker did (will not mention the name, but it’s a red closer arm restraint device made in IA)
Lori, I think it’s about time you do a public announcement about what’s code compliant and what’s not in the world of barricade devices, so people do not end up trusting their life “on a limb” (closer arm) as those things, not all are made the same, not all schools have them on classroom doors and not all are heavy duty like the LCN EDA and H-CUSH arms.
if it’s not the closer bending/breaking an arm, the frame will break at the stop or closer/arm will pull out of the frame/door surface as not all of them are thru-bolted.
well i see the concerns, its kinda a catch 22 situation, be safe from intruders and risk life safety or get shot and not have to worry about life safety. in retrospect, isn’t not being shot kinda life safety?
Hi Richard –
There are plenty of locks that are code-compliant, can be locked quickly, can prevent an unauthorized person from locking the door, and can be accessed by emergency responders with a key or other credential. A Grade 1 lockset (typical for most schools) is more than sufficient. The only reason I can think of that a facility might purchase classroom barricade devices is that it may be cheaper or easier than addressing the existing hardware, rekeying, or replacing locks. It is not worth taking on the liability associated with using non-code-compliant locking methods in order to save money (in my opinion).
– Lori
ah yes, the real reason as you stated,(cheaper or easier than addressing the existing hardware, rekeying, or replacing locks). a lot wont spend the money especially at 200.00 plus dollars each lock compared to say, 25.00 for the wrong device. just like being secure, it wont happen here to us. then when it does happen they jump through hoops to be secure. like, protect the hen house after the fox has done been there! Ha!
thanks for you articles and response. keep up the excellent work
It’s unfortunate- and somewhat ironic- that inventors who create these products to not consult people in the commercial door and hardware industry first. As consultants, we are considered experts until we tell owners/architects what they do NOT want to hear, then we are immediately discredited.