Page 20 - Campus Security & Life Safety, March/April 2020

Security Innovations
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struction or retrofitted to existing models. School districts across the U.S. have already begun implementing these changes for either the perimeter of the building, the interior classroom doors, or both.
Upgraded locks. The report also called for upgraded locks that allow teachers to lock doors from the inside, with or without the use of a key, but with the ability to unlock the door from the outside by authorized personnel in the event of an emergency.
Thumbturn operation. Applying existing technology to a durable mortise lock, like a thumbturn operation, eliminates the need for a key from the interior and enables quicker action. Such locks are inherently useful in emergency situations when it’s necessary to lock or unlock an exit quickly by simply rotating the thumbturn. This might be an obvious enhancement, but its implementation increases reliability and reduces complexity in high-stress moments when it may be difficult to engage fine motor skills needed to insert a key.
The standards. Meeting standards and guidelines is just the bare minimum. The industry needs to constantly be on the lookout for new ways to exceed these standards, especially when the potential tradeoff is risking the safety of those around us.
The Lock Status Solution
We shouldn’t be content with developing products that just meet standards. As innovators in our industry, it is incumbent upon us to not only meet those standards and codes, but to go beyond and exceed them where possible to secure all types of environments to decrease risk and increase safety.
Universities and schools across the United States should look at the latest technology, tools and innovations available to enhance the safe- ty of its classrooms, buildings and more, as well as providing the comfort and safety of an inclusive environment.
Lock status indicators are an easy upgrade to consider. The latest in
mortise lock status indicators include enhancements that make the access status of a room or space obvious to its occupants. Larger viewing windows, added reflective coating and new curved designs are some of the benefits of new mortise locks with a lasting impact: • Large Viewing Window – Larger viewing windows allow those
inside and outside of the space to see whether a door is locked or
unlocked from farther away.
• Reflective Coating – An added reflective coating makes it easier
to view the lock status in low-light conditions, ensuring safety and
privacy at all times of the day and night.
• Curved Design – A curved design provides the ability to view the
lock status from any angle.
• Durable and Reliable – Reliable and durable security option that
meets the specifications laid out by the Federal Commission on School Safety for classroom environments.
Status indicators are a versatile and affordable tool that can address
a multitude of concerns. By supporting the ability to lock with a key or thumbturn from the inside, with just a quick glance, faculty, staff, students and security personnel can confirm their safety in emer- gency situations where seconds can make all the difference. Addition- ally, that quick glance encourages an inclusive and comfortable envi- ronment for all members on campus.
Guidelines and safety standards will certainly continue to evolve with the times, designed to defend us against the latest threats and keep us safe – history has shown us that they will. But our job as an industry of innovators isn’t merely to meet them, it’s to surpass them. Not for a competitive edge in the marketplace, but to protect the future innovators at schools and on campuses around the country.
Lori R. Brown is a product manager, Mechanical Locks, at ASSA ABLOY.
20 campuslifesecurity.com | MARCH/APRIL 2020