Page 18 - Campus Security & Life Safety, March/April 2020

“As innovators in our indus- try, it is incumbent upon us to not only meet those standards and codes, but to go beyond and exceed them where possible.”
By Lori R. Brown
A Learning Environment
How innovations promote security and privacy on the campus
Security Innovations
As we embark on a new decade, it’s important to assess the changing landscape in the life safety and access control industry. On campuses across the United States, the security and privacy landscape looks dra- matically different than it did ten, or even five years ago. Threats have evolved, security has been questioned and reevalu- ated and guidelines to promote safety on campuses have been tight- ened and redefined.
Simultaneously, cultural and demographic changes on campuses are continuing to evolve. For example, as gender neutral spaces and private areas for study and meditation become more common on campus, it has raised a host of new concerns about protecting student safety and privacy.
One solution considered by access control professionals is status indicators. Applying interior and exterior indicators, that clearly dis- play whether a room is in-use or vacant, to the door’s existing mortise
locks continue to provide the occupants safety while preventing an unnecessary interruption while these spaces are in use.
The ultimate goal is to reduce risk and still maintain open access and inclusivity for students and staff while also ensuring the latest building codes and standards are met.
Security in Emergency Situations
In December 2018, a report issued by the Federal Commission on School Safety recognized the importance of locks in emergency situ- ations. The report noted that “depending on their construction and configuration, classroom doors can significantly delay or prevent an attacker from reaching individuals within a classroom, thereby pro- viding a safe area for students and staff during a lockdown.”
Innovations. As a result, innovations in door opening solutions and enhanced window glass and attack resistant solutions have been introduced to the market and are being installed during new con-
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18 campuslifesecurity.com | MARCH/APRIL 2020