Page 128 - Security Today, May/June 2019

A common concern with outdoor systems is how to power them. There are now numerous ways to supply power reliably outdoors and meet the needs of varying campus layouts. Solar panels and battery- operated sources are options, as well as traditional wired configura- tions. Solar and battery solutions can also help you meet energy effi- ciency goals as well as provide power for your perimeter infrastructure.
Most importantly, any outdoor solutions should be weather- proofed so they can withstand the elements. Locks, strikes and power sources must be able to resist wind, moisture and temperature chang- es to ensure your perimeter remains reliably secure.
Find the Right Balance
In any school, there must be a balance between safety and security on the one hand and fostering a comfortable learning environment on the other. This is why a holistic, system-wide perspective is required before implementing any upgrades or retrofits. For example, consider the need to implement a lockdown. There are two basic ways you can initiate that process: centralized or local. With centralized decision systems, an operator can lock all doors instantly with just one push of a button. In decentralized or local-area systems, individual lockdown decisions are made by staff based on the situation. Often a hybrid system of the two is desirable. Centralized capabilities can lock all perimeter access, for example, while decentralized interior locks allow teachers and staff to lock classroom doors when necessary without impacting other parts of the campus.
One of the most important benefits of these systems is removing the impetus for using secondary locking devices that wedge or bar- ricade a door in an emergency. These devices may seem like viable safety solutions but in fact make openings less safe by preventing
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first-responder access, and often do so in violation of fire codes. And it’s not only locks—taking a holistic view of all opening infra- structure means examining the doors as well. Bullet- and attack-resis- tant glass are increasingly available for doors, including as part of cost- conscious retrofit kits that can upgrade any and all components of the opening, from the frame to the hardware. These solutions can increase security without distracting from the learning environment—incor- porating colored pulls, levers and trim can enhance safety without
drawing students’ attention to the door security hardware.
When choosing retrofit options it’s also critical to consider ADA compliance and fire safety codes—for example, ensuring the removal of secondary locking devices and using the right exit devices for safe egress paths. Essentially, there are solutions for any type of system and campus layout, and addressing access control as an ecosystem will help you implement comprehensive solutions in the limited sum- mer break window, thereby maximizing the ideal time for these
repairs and retrofits.
Summer always goes by too quickly, so to make the most of the
time, facilities managers and administrators must be strategic in how they approach these next few months. Conduct site assessments while school is still in session and identify roadblocks that need to be overcome. Look at access control from the curb of the property to the core of the building—as one holistic system. And, be sure to balance the need for security with the goal of creating a distraction-free envi- ronment where students and staff can focus on learning. Doing so will ensure occupants return in the new school year to the safe, secure environment that both students and staff deserve.
David Corbin is the Director of Access Control Accessories at ASSA ABLOY.
retrofit solutions
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campuslifesecurity.com | MAY/JUNE 2019
Advertiser........................................................Circle # .............. Page ............URL
ASSA ABLOY/Adams Rite .................................. 706 .........................11 ...................www.adamsrite.com
ASSA ABLOY/Electronic Security Hardware.... 707 .........................35 ...................www.assaabloyesh.com Avigilon USA Corporation.................................... 708 .........................9......................www.avigilon.com
CEIA USA............................................................... 717 .........................41 ...................www.ceia-usa.com Designed Security, Inc.......................................... 704 .........................13 ...................www.dsigo.com
DSX Access Systems........................................... 701 .........................44 ...................www.dsxinc.com GAI-TRONICS....................................................... 709 .........................43 ...................www.hubbell.com/gai-tronics Garrett Metal Detectors ....................................... 703 .........................2......................www.garrett.com
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Red Hawk Fire & Security.................................... 713 .........................17 ...................www.redhawkus.com
Safety Technology International..........................702.........................25...................www.sti-usa.com
Salient Systems ..................................................... 714 .........................5......................www.salientsys.com
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