I’m working on an article for a print publication, that covers the some of the common code issues affecting schools and mistakes that may be made – particularly in the rush to secure a school against an intruder. The topics I’ve included are:
- access via main entrance doors
- emergency egress doors
- securing classroom doors
- bathroom doors
- assembly spaces
- panic hardware locations
- fire door requirements
- safety glazing
What I’m looking for are decent photos of good or bad applications related to school safety / school security. Doors that are locked inappropriately, fire door assembly requirements that are not being met, “creative” solutions that inhibit egress. Since I can not use photos from manufacturers of the retrofit school security products, it would be very helpful if I had actual photos of these products from a school that you may have seen in your travels.
If you can help, please email photos to me asap! If you’ve sent me a photo in the past that you think will work, remind me and I’ll search through the thousands of photos on this site to find it. If you think there are additional topics I should include, I’m all ears!
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One very common problem that I have encountered is the teachers exiting from a side door to smoke, and blocking the door open with a pen, eraser, etc., so they can get back inside. Often another teacher will be going out, as the first one comes back in, so the first one doesn’t remove the door block. When the second teacher reenters, they don’t think of the block because they didn’t put it in the doorway. Now everyone is back inside but the door is still wedged open.
Sorry I’ve no pictures in my file, but I’ll watch for this occurrence. It happens often so someone else might have a picture.
Take care Lori, Sorry to have missed you at ASIS.
Jim P.
Just going thru my copy of Campus Safety and noticed this add for a product Called: The Barracuda by Bilco.http://www.bilco.com/foundations/store/storepage.asp?page=barracuda.
Also wanted to mention recently I attended a class for lockdown procedures for Active Shooter Preparedness. Among the recommendations:
• Use a wood wedge to secure the door
• Duct tape to secure the door and tape over any lites in the door
• Use a belt to wrap around door handles and secure to heavy object (desk)
• Barricade door with desks, chairs etc.
• Use a belt to wrap around closer arms to prevent entry.
My feeling is that these recommendations made by our State SWAT Team may be too heavy on the Security and too light on Safety.
I completely agree, Dave. There are ways to provide security without compromising safety, so why do we have to resort to these crazy measures? I’m writing an article right now and I asked one of my teacher-friends to take a photo of The Sleeve installed on her classroom. She said the fire inspector had been in and had TAKEN IT WITH HIM! Good for him, but it seems the recommendations of the police and fire departments are at odds.