Developing Classroom Safety Goals: Classroom Locks and Exit Devices

School administrators and facility managers have been tasked with finding safe and responsible solutions to keep learning environments secure. With so many different areas facility managers need to consider, it can be difficult to choose the most appropriate hardware to ensure maximum safety and security for each opening from the thousands of options.

And when door functionality is determined, code requirements such as life safety codes, fire codes, and ADA compliance must also be taken into consideration.

The bottom line? Each school should determine its own list of what classroom security goals are right for them.

Security is not always convenient, but it’s absolutely vital to stay aligned on security priorities and make sure all your locks and hardware are working properly as often as possible. Here are simple ways to assess the current state of your classroom security:

• It should only take a single motion to exit the classroom

• Individuals should never be able to be locked inside of a classroom

• Unlocking a door should be a simple action for authorized personnel

3 Hardware Types for Better Safety

Mechanical Locks

Traditionally, these locks are used on classroom openings and usually feature different functions that are unique to the security needs of the opening and facility – and no ‘one’ function is right for every classroom in every school. An option to consider is the double cylinder located on both sides of the door which allows the outside cylinder to be locked from the inside by using a key or thumb turn.

Indicator Locks

Status indicators locks provide the ultimate privacy with bold visuals on BOTH the outside and inside so that teachers can clearly indicate if their classroom is locked or not.

Exit Devices

To meet code requirements, school exit devices are needed to ensure safe and easy egress, these devices can be found on perimeter doors. There are exit devices that have additional security with “request to exit” and “alarm” features. Request to Exit provides push rail monitoring and gives facilities power to monitor traffic going through the door.

We know that securing your school is a high priority, but without a background in door hardware, it's hard to know where to start. Our experienced team of security consultants are ready to help you identify a security solution to meet your schools unique needs, without compromising on function, quality, or durability. Fill out the form below to get in touch with our team today.