Page 20 - Campus Security Today, March/April 2025

A C C E S S C O N T R O L
DOOR HARDWARE AND CAMPUS SECURITY:
ENHANCING SAFETY IN SCHOOLS
G U Y G R A C E I S K - 1 2 N AT I O N A L S E C U R I T Y I M A G E : P R O G R A M C O U R T E S Y M A N A G E R , O F AS S A AS S A A B L O Y
A B L O Y D O O R S E C U R I T Y S O L U T I O N S .
T
he importance of investing in school safety cannot be
overstated, but knowing where to start implementation
of school safety features can be a challenge. A recent sur-
vey by the National Center on Education Statistics found
that a quarter of U.S. public schools have classrooms with
doors that can’t be locked from the inside.
Even among schools with doors that do lock, recent legislation
refl ects a common misconception that simply keeping the doors
locked all day will eliminate the potential for an att ack, in direct
violation of PASS (Partner Alliance for Safer Schools) Guidelines.
The good news? Equipping classrooms and schools with
doors that meet the needs (and budget) of the district is not only
possible, but straightforward and impactful way to enhance school
safety. Free resources like the PASS guidelines provide a tiered ap-
proach to building a robust school security system, outlining the
exact components, hardware, confi gurations, and integrations
necessary to achieve each “tier” of security. From choosing the
right lock functions, to status indicators, to a fully integrated panic
alarms access system, a more secure school is possible.
For many schools, it all begins with choosing the right lock
features and functions that will make the biggest impact when
protecting our students and educators.
C H O O S I N G T H E R I G H T L O C K F U N C T I O N F O R C L AS S R O O M S E C U R I T Y
Whether the lock you choose comes equipped with a status indicator
or not, the lock set will typically have multiple functions available
that you can set to meet the unique needs of your classroom. Each
lock function off ers benefi ts and drawbacks, and the ideal choice
depends on a school’s individual security needs.
To simplify selection, the American National Standards Institute
(ANSI) has established lock function standards. Think of them as
a user guide that explains how each lock operates (ANSI/BHMA
A156.2 for cylindrical locks, ANSI/BHMA A156.13 for mortise locks).
These standards categorize lock functions with clear numbers and
detailed descriptions.
In a typical classroom sett ing, the door might only lock from
the outside with a key. This poses a security concern, as teachers
need a quick and effi cient locking mechanism, especially during
a crisis. Locks with a “classroom security” function (ANSI F09/F88)
address this by allowing teachers to lock the door from the inside
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