School Security and Safety
Because of all the recent news and legislative action regarding the use of barricade devices on classroom doors in schools, I have compiled many school security resources on this page.
Videos:
Here’s the latest in our series of whiteboard animation videos, which discusses the model code requirements pertaining to classroom security:
The video below covers various options for securing classroom doors, in alignment with the guidelines from the National Association of State Fire Marshals:
The third video addresses the myths and facts surrounding classroom barricade devices presented on behalf of the Door Security & Safety Foundation for the National Association of State Fire Marshals (Powerpoint slides can be downloaded here, and this information was also printed in an article in Doors & Hardware):
Resources:
- Decoded: Classroom Security Considerations
- What is NFPA’s stance on barricade devices?
- School Liability and the Law of Unintended Consequences
- Domestic Preparedness: Prioritizing Life Safety While Protecting Classroom Security
- Retrofit Barricade Devices and ADA Compliance
- Door Security & Safety Foundation – LockDontBlock.org
- NASFM Guidelines on Classroom Door Security & Locking Hardware
- PASS Guidelines for School Security
- PASS Position Statement – Classroom Barricade Devices
- Safe and Sound Schools
Reports on Past School Shootings:
- Sandy Hook Advisory Commission – Final Report
- Animation of incident at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School
- FBI Report on Columbine High School Shooting
- Mass Shootings at Virginia Tech
Additional Information:
- Northeastern University Research on School Security
- Security Industry Association (SIA) – Letters to Ohio Legislature
- Door Security and Safety Foundation (DSSF) – Classroom Safety
- ALOA Keynotes – A Call to Arms for All Locksmiths
- AIA-Ohio Issue Brief
- Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) – Code Change Proposals
- ALICE Training Institute – Barricade vs. Door Locking Device
- National Center for Education Statistics – School Crime
- FEMA 428, Primer for Design Safe Schools Projects in Case of Terrorist Attacks
- OSHA Regulation 1926.34 – Means of Egress
- NFPA – Structure Fires in Educational Properties
- NFPA – School Fires with 10 or More Deaths
- NFPA Journal – Cross Purposes
- RPM – Special Edition on School Violence
- FBI Study on Active Shooters
- School Security – How to Build and Strengthen a School Safety Program, by Paul Timm
State Guidelines, Laws, and Code Modifications:
- Alaska – compliance with 2012 IBC and IFC required – per SFM (03/24/18)
- Arizona – compliance with 2012 IFC required – per SFM (03/24/18)
- Arkansas – law which allows barricade devices to be used
- California – DSA bulletin on classroom door locks (see also AB211, SB316 and AB677)
- Colorado – code change which allows interim measures until January 1, 2018
- Connecticut – state fire marshal memo reinforcing current code requirements
- Florida – DOE memo prohibiting non-code-compliant devices
- Florida – guidelines which require classroom security locks
- Illinois – state guidelines that require code-compliant locks and prohibit barricade devices
- Indiana – guidance for unplanned fire alarms and state requirements for egress
- Kansas – state fire marshal memo which allows temporary security devices
- Louisiana – state fire marshal memo which allows one additional operation to unlatch a deadbolt
- Maryland – state fire marshal memo which requires thumbturn locking and one operation to unlock
- Massachusetts – advisory on school safety including fire drills, lockdown plans, and classroom security
- Michigan – memo about latching on fire doors
- Michigan – article stating that barricade devices are allowed
- Minnesota – rationale against using barricade devices from the State Fire Marshal
- Montana – state fire marshal memo reinforcing current code requirements
- New Hampshire – school safety assessment that requires code-compliant locks
- New Jersey – keyless locking required, access control on new buildings
- New Jersey – state law mandating certain security features
- New Jersey – bulletin which allows some devices but not others
- New York – bulletin which reinforces current code requirements and recommends classroom security locks
- North Carolina – adopted 2018 i-Code modifications on classroom security
- Ohio – bill to override current fire code requirements and allow barricade devices
- Ohio – advisory statement supporting current code requirements
- Ohio – Board of Building Standards Classroom Barricade Forum Report
- Oregon – State Fire Marshal’s bulletin on aftermarket security devices
- Tennessee – message from the state fire marshal which prohibits non-code-compliant classroom security
- Utah – law allowing barricade devices when approved by the State Fire Marshal
- Wisconsin – Department of Safety & Professional Service Q&A prohibiting barricade devices
School Security in the News:
- Former Chardon Superintendent Leery of Door Barricades, AIA-Ohio
- What happened in Ohio?
- Why We Don’t Have to Destroy the Fire Code to Save Lockdown, Lt. Joseph Hendry
- “Buyer Beware” – Paul Timm, RETA Security
- “Ohio school safety policy should be barricaded from politics” – Ken Trump
- WW: Shattered security – Surviving Red Lake teacher calls for change
- The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio schools can’t use barricades to keep gunmen out
- Ohio decision will have nationwide impact
- WW: Meanwhile, in Arkansas…
- WW: School Security in the News
- Cook County pushing schools to become safer — with help of Homeland Security
- WWYD? School Sign-In
- Schools liable for lack of security?
- School Shootings – A closer look at the statistics
- Rehearsing for death: A pre-K teacher on the trouble with lockdown drills
- School Security in the News
- School Guard Glass
- Life Safety vs. School Security
- Lawsuit Filed Over Lax School Security
- WW: Peas and Corn
- FF: Security Mesh
- Security Screens for K-12 Entries
Applications:
- WWYD? School Multi-Stall Bathrooms
- WWYD? Connecting Classroom Doors
- WWYD? Impact-Resistant Glazing/Film
- WWYD? School Entrance Trim
- WWYD? School Seclusion Room
- WWYD? Elopement in Schools
- WWYD? Classroom Vision Lite
- WWYD? Courtyard Doors
- WWYD? School Security
- WWYD? Lock Functions for Classrooms – Pros and Cons
