Page 14 - Campus Security & Life Safety, November/December 2021

CoverStory
Another important financial consideration is when something is treated as an asset on a balance sheet, capital funding can be used to maintain it. You can then keep up with tech- nology upgrades proactively, rather than rely- ing on deferred maintenance funding only when it becomes available. In this example, the fixes were incurred as an operational expense. This type of unplanned expense could have a devastating impact on a budget. Proper cost allocation and documentation can and should be leveraged to ensure quality control, reduce costs and manage budgets.
From a security standpoint, it is equally as important to be able to catalog and communi- cate exactly what is on each door and how it should operate. This ensures that you have the right level of security throughout campus and have visibility into every detail of your doors.
Smart tagging at each door allows you to pull up detailed information about the prod- uct on each opening, including part num- bers, warranties, and the ability to order replacement parts, all right at the door. This drastically simplifies maintenance, ensuring that doors are operating properly at all times.
There are also many other factors to con- sider. For example, the ability to access this level of detail is also necessary for the key sys- tem, a common vulnerability in facility securi- ty. When you issue a new key, it is paramount that you know exactly what level of access you are providing to that user. Thankfully, there are solutions available that make it easy to manage every aspect of a key system. Fire door inspec- tions are another critical step in ensuring the safety of your facilities. They are required
annually for compliance with building codes such as the NFPA 80 Standard for Fire Doors and NFPA 101 Life Safety Code requirements, and are vital when it comes to managing your fire, smoke and egress doors.
Resource Management
The management of door openings throughout the building lifecycle also helps address anoth- er issue many campuses are facing – labor shortages. With many institutional locksmiths retiring, other roles tasked with this function but may not have the complete knowledge they need. Detailed standards/design guides and smart tagging can help alleviate some of these issues. It can also help streamline maintenance for systems integrators.
However, creating comprehensive docu- mentation and standards guides can also be a strain on resources. The ability to capture information from thousands of doors in a timely manner is not always possible or the most efficient option, depending on the resources available at a particular school. Manufacturers like ASSA ABLOY offer pro- fessional services with trained field resources who are door hardware experts and can com- plete this task easily, setting you up for future success.
A Potential Missed Opportunity
Despite the huge role they play in the safety and security of a building, doors are often
overlooked. This is very similar to the path that we saw with sustainability. Facilities looked to every other aspect of building con- struction – from lighting and HVAC systems to insulation and windows – before realizing the significant impact doors, door hardware and electronic access control can have on energy efficiency and sustainability. The sheer volume of doors on a college campus makes them a tremendous opportunity for building efficiency and quality control into your new construction and renovation processes.
When deciding what the next priority is for your campus, we encourage you to take a hard look at your door openings. With the many demands asked from a safety and secu- rity standpoint, doors should be at the fore- front of everyone’s minds. You may want to focus your initial efforts on ADA openings, fire doors, access control openings, and other highly used openings, but ultimately, you will want complete visibility into all of your openings.
While it may be easy to see how a door is an asset in many ways, by shifting your view of them from an expense to an asset, you will realize a multitude of benefits that will help improve the efficiency and security of your campus.
Jeremy Saline is the senior director of business development at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solu- tions.
Door Openings Offer Many Benefits to a Campus
• Creating a safe and secure learning environment
• Enabling seamless movement through- out a campus
• Improving efficiencies in day-to-day operations
• Contributing to the health and wellness of students, faculty, and staff
• Optimizing the sustainability and environmental impact of a campus
14 campuslifesecurity.com | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021