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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
• Secure Schools Alliance document on classroom barricade devices
• 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
• Secure Schools Alliance
• 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 – law which requires classroom doors to be lockable from within the classroom
• 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
• 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