Guy Grace, National Security K-12 Program Manager at ASSA ABLOY Door Security Solutions reveals why modifying exit devices in K-12 schools compromises security and safety.

School safety

Safety and security at K-12 schools continues to be top of mind with school administrators, teachers and parents across the country.

In addition to the typical hard wear and tear put on educational facilities, the ever-present fire risks and recent uptick of the threat of school shootings present a different but related list of challenges.

There are no simple solutions to these challenges, yet according to a report published by the Learning Policy Institute, there are two common approaches to improving school safety: building supportive school communities and increasing physical security.

Focus on physical security

In addition to investing in the community, the need for robust physical protection is a core necessity for K-12 schools.

The good news is that there’s a plethora of modern security solutions currently available to help create safe learning environments, ranging from new mechanical locks and electronic access control (EAC) to advanced video analytics and emergency lockdown and notification systems.

All of these are extremely effective, but can be costly to implement, administrate and maintain all at once – a luxury many schools simply can’t afford.

That’s not to say that implementation is impossible – by taking a layered approach to school security with both EAC and mechanical hardware solutions, as recommended by Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS), a more robust security strategy is possible.

It is recommended that schools strategically place EAC hardware on doors that not only to expand building operations and daily school-business continuity, but also to facilitate emergency access in a more organized way, while maintaining a limited number of key-operated openings to provide access to different areas of the property.

With this selective approach, schools gain the benefits of convenience and security of EAC without sacrificing on budget or security efficacy.

Start with the basics in physical security

When reviewing existing physical security and safety assets, it’s critical to determine if any of your school’s exit devices are being unknowingly compromised by occupants.

It’s a common scenario to see doors propped open or have zip ties around their push bars, either for air flow, noise reduction or other matters of convenience.

These modifications create a serious threat to security and safety at K-12 schools because open doors provide easy access to bad actors, can help to fuel fires and prevent lockdowns during emergency events.

One specific area of concern relates to altering fire doors in school buildings.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) stipulates that a fire door must open, close and latch.

They can either be “kept closed and latched or arranged to be automatic closing during the time of a fire”.

Anything that forces the door in an open position or prevents latching violates code because it interferes with emergency egress readiness.

This scenario often happens when building occupants modify a door, having little idea they’re violating compliance regulations.

Even though this may only involve simply propping a door open or clamping down push bars on exit devices, altering a door’s intended purpose prevents it from working as intended in the event of an emergency.

Other methods of holding open an emergency exit door, including door wedges, kick stops, chains and heavy objects are all fire code violations on any fire-rated door because they prevent it from being secured during an emergency.

The open door will not only fail to keep bad actors from entering a school, but also fail to help contain fire and allow smoke to quickly spread throughout a facility.

Disabling exit devices

One of the surest ways to undermine life safety is to disable exit push bars through methods like duct taping or zip ties. It’s called “dogging” when the push bar is clamped down so it can’t latch or lock.

Per the NFPA, “Building fires are capable of generating pressures sufficient to force fire doors open if they are not held closed with enough latching force, thereby rendering the doors incapable of protecting the opening in which they are installed and potentially allowing the fire to spread to an adjacent space and beyond the compartment of origin.”

In other cases, bad actors can take advantage of a door that’s been dogged by staff members, bypassing the EAC in place, to gain unauthorized access to school buildings.

Next-generation exit devices

A viable, cost-effective option is to upgrade your exit devices to a next-generation model.

Exit devices that incorporate next generation features such as visual indicators for trim status, passive dogging and active dogging can provide this solution.

Visual indicators add a new dimension and user experience to an exit device product by providing instant visual verification of lock status from a distance.

Additionally, a flush push bar and rail carrier can minimize catchpoints and reduce the risk of clothing, bags, emergency equipment or objects being snagged.

Door hardware is something that’s easy to take for granted in K-12 schools, but the reality is that these essential components and technologies empower the day-to-day learning environment and also mitigate the potential for other hazards.

About Corbin Russwin

To learn more about Corbin Russwin’s latest offering of next generation exit devices and comprehensive portfolio of locks and door hardware for K-12 schools, click here.

This article was originally published in the August edition of Security Journal Americas. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.