Page 28 - School Planning & Management, September 2017

FACILITIES REMOVING BARRIERS
a sudden gust of wind, moving the gate into traffic flow without warning. Swing gates must include a “hold back” system that assures the gate will not swing freely when open. Some districts may adopt a proto- col that requires swing gates to always be secured and padlocked whether they are in the open or closed position.
In many areas, fencing provides the per- fect structure for invasive vegetation. Just as an old rusty broken fence can make a school campus appear rundown, one overgrown with vines and weeds communicates a lack of care. A common error when installing fencing is placing it too close to the property line limiting accessibility for mowing or cut- ting underbrush. When possible, maintain a minimum width on the outside of the fence for standard mowing equipment. A regular maintenance program of spraying weed control along the bottom edge of the
fence line each spring will also help prevent unwanted vegetation.
When preparing a fencing manage- ment plan for new or existing schools, CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) can be a great resource, particularly when attempting to reduce obsolete fencing. Their guidance frequently discourages an overdepen- dence on fencing. Use of bollards, post and chain, large rocks and natural land- scape can enhance the overall appearance of the campus while discouraging access to vulnerable areas. Beware of unin- tended consequences related to some of these alternatives. For instance, stringing a cable between posts may be effective
to limit vehicle access, although it could present a serious hazard for bicyclist
or pedestrians. Vehicle barriers should include well placed pedestrian pathways
that are easy to identify.
Clearly, fencing and other types of
barriers are an essential tool for facility professionals and administrators to keep school campuses safe and secure. Unfor- tunately, as time goes by, these structures may become obsolete, begin to deterio- rate, or create a hazardous condition. Failing to remove them when they are no longer necessary, or to maintain them properly may also send an unattractive message to the community regarding the conditionoftheirschools. SPM
>> Andrew LaRowe is founder and president of BAISCA, LLC located in Winston Salem, N.C. He can be reached at andrew@baisca.com. Mike Raible is the author of two recently published books and founder and CEO of The School Solutions Group in Charlotte, N.C. His email is mkraible@theschool solutionsgroup.com.
28 SCHOOL PLANNING & MANAGEMENT / SEPTEMBER 2017
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