- 7/8/22
The Growing Importance of Access Control in Schools
Thoughts and Prayers Aren’t Enough: The Growing Importance of Access Control in Schools
The tragic events that unfolded at Robb Elementary in our home state of Texas left most of us at Maestro reeling. We are parents, we are grandparents, we are Texans, and as we strive for answers as to how to prevent a tragedy like Uvalde from happening again, the one subject on everyone's mind was Access Control. Schools may be outfitted with security guards, etc., but the first and most vital line of defense against intrusion is effective access control. What is the most effective Access Control equipment to ensure that our schools and our children are safeguarded?
Outside Points of Entry
Firstly, all outside egress doors should be outfitted with a crash or panic bar. A crash bar allows the door to stay locked on the outside but can always be opened from the inside. The crash bar is also easier to open in case of an emergency. A simple push will open the door, instead of having to locate and turn a handle or latch when in a state of stress or panic.
Crash bars contain a more solid lock with a latch accompanied by a “dead latch” that prevents the lock from being pried. They also contain a hex tool that can be used on the crash bar to fix the latch in the open position, called the “dogging” position, if need be. In the “dogging” position, the door can be freely opened from the outside. In a school environment, the doors that provide entry into the building should never be “dogged,” especially if they are fire-rated doors. When a Security and Access Control system is put into place, proper training must be conducted so that all who have access to these methods of ingress and egress know how to correctly operate them, to prevent a door to the outside being accidentally left open because it was “dogged”.
While more expensive than standard handles, crash bars are considered a better option for school safety because they cannot be easily pried open from the outside, while being easier to open from the inside. The PDQ series brochure linked here explains the different options for a crash bar system in more detail.
Classroom Doors
The Federal Commission on School Safety recommends “hardening the classroom.” This includes having some sort of door lock on each classroom door. Not all access control is created equal, and all have different means of functionality. A classroom door needs to function differently than a public area door, allowing an easy solution for keeping teachers in control while having the ability to be easily locked from the inside. A satisfactory solution is remote access locks, such as the Aurora system from dormakaba.
The Aurora system allows doors to be locked simultaneously with just the touch of a button, saving valuable time in the event of an active shooter situation. This keyless system can operate multiple doors at once and features robust integration support for wireless and electronic locks, security video management systems, intrusion alarm systems, and more. Aurora can also support hybrid hardwired access systems as well as both E-Plex wireless and offline lock systems with full control and audit capability, allowing you to use the same credentials throughout your facility.
One of the top providers in Electronic Access Control, dormakaba had the following to say about the Aurora system: “No matter the size of your school, campus or district, our Aurora software platform provides centralized monitoring and management of controlled entry and exit points throughout your entire facility—offices, classrooms, gymnasium, hallways and perimeter. Our software and award-winning SHELTER lockdown system are capable of locking every opening of a building or campus with the press of a button, instantly creating a secure environment, and significantly reducing the risk to all occupants.”
Another important feature of door security is contacts. Contacts are switches that tell the controller if a door is open or closed. They can trigger an alarm if a door is left open for a specified amount of time. Installing contacts trains people to ensure a door is closed and not left ajar, as well as keeping intruders out. Door strikes and magnetic, or “mag” locks are two examples of contacts.
Door strikes can sense if a door is latched or not. When an electric strike is activated, it releases the latch, unlocking the door. Electric strike locks remain locked from the outside at all times. When the door closes behind you, it automatically returns to a locked position. Door Strikes are typically used on doors that have a mechanism that allows egress by turning a door handle or pushing on a push bar. These are often used in environments where you need the system to “Fail-Secure”. Fail-Secure means that in the event of a power failure the door should remained locked. Although some strikes can be configured to either “Fail-Secure” or “Fail-Safe”, in a school environment Fail Secure is the way to go.
Mag locks contain a sensor that can detect when the plate is firmly pulled to the magnet. The lock functions by passing an electric current through the electromagnet, creating a magnetic charge that attracts the plate and holds it in place against the door frame. This keeps the door securely locked until the power is removed or interrupted. Backup power is used in case of a power outage., to ensure that the door remains securely locked.
If an active shooter cannot breach a building, entry will not be obtained and lives will be saved. By taking a comprehensive approach in safeguarding your building, strong and reliable Access Control solutions with training for all staff must be our first line of defense in protecting our schools and our children.