Traditional classroom function locksets are no longer recommended as the preferred lock function for classroom doors, as locking the door requires the door to be opened and a key inserted in the outside lever.
As more information has become available about the security measures that were in place at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, attention has focused, in part, on the doors and hardware. In a Texas Senate hearing held June 21, 2022, the exterior and classroom doors were discussed at length.
An article published today by NBC News does a good job of explaining the challenges of the traditional classroom function locksets that are common in existing schools. Below is an excerpt from this recent article.
NBC News: “Uvalde school’s classrooms lacked a basic security feature — and it’s missing across America”
The moment she heard the first pops of gunfire, the teacher knew what she had to do: She needed to make sure that her classroom door was locked.
But at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, that seemingly simple task would require her to take a life-threatening risk.
As most of her students crawled under their desks to take cover, she made eye contact with one child she had always given the same job during their lockdown drills, the teacher recalled in an interview. Without speaking, the student followed her to the classroom door.
“Do you remember what we do?” the teacher asked the boy, trying to keep her voice calm.
The boy, with tears in his eyes, nodded and said, “Yes, ma’am.”
Continue reading the article from NBC News…
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This is a very good article on a very unwelcome but necessary topic. A three-pronged response to this epidemic could be 1.) Building security; 2.) Recognition of and isolating/nurturing/rehabilitating troubled individuals; and 3.) Firearm restrictions. All three are going to be difficult.
I looked with great interest at the way the intruder entered the building though the unlocked door and replayed this part many times. Due to the location of the video camera, dynamic response to the bright sun as the door was opened, the image blotted out to the extent it was difficult to determine if the door was propped or simply unlocked. Sure would seem to be important to the case….
From the teachers account the doors to her classroom would be in-swing? “she would step into the hall and pull the classroom door shut, then test the exterior handle”, but the pictures show out-swing doors. As someone who understand forcible entry, I can see a distinct difference as to how easy it would be to open these doors under fire. It would be extremely difficult to open an outswing door without be exposed to rifle fire. Not an excuse or commentary on what took place, just an observation. Similarly, aside from opening in the direction of egress, locked outswing doors are going to be much harder/slower to gain entry through for perpetrators.
Thank you again Lori for an important blog post. Uvalde exposed the weaknesses in school lockdown procedures. A traditional key, whether it is a classroom security lever set or a classroom function lever set s going to be less effective during an active shooter event. Most teachers are not going to enter the hallway where the shooter is. Most teachers will lose all fine motor skills and cannot operate a traditional key and lever set under stress. Keeping doors locked all day comes with another set of problems. Bullies or worse have control over a pre-locked door and fire and police officials now have to breach every single door. We offer a solution that allows a teacher to lock down in two seconds and maintain control over the door. It’s also important that schools scrutinize the hardware that they are placing on fire rated doors and only select listed and labeled hardware built specifically for lockdown.