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Physical Security

Back to School: Reviewing Access Control Options

There are a number of ways schools can improve their front entrance security.

September 16, 2015 TD Staff Leave a Comment

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Video Intercoms

Video intercoms enable school staff to verify a visitor’s identity before letting them enter campus.

Photo courtesy Aiphone.

Double Entry System

This diagram shows an ideal layout for a vestibule/double entry system for a school. The office would allow visitors to come through the first entrance, but the secondary entrance would remain locked.

Diagram by Brad Spicer.

Visitor Instructions

Signs providing instructions to visitors should be prominently displayed on campus.

Photo by Brad Spicer.

Door Handles

Door handles and push bars should be flush with the door to prevent them from being tied together to delay law enforcement or prevent emergency egress.

Photo courtesy Ingersoll Rand.

Panic Alarms

Panic alarms allow campus staff to contact law enforcement rather than having to call 9-1-1. Panic alarms also enable staff to direct more of their efforts toward protecting students.

Photo courtesy Micro Technology Services Inc.

Entrance Design

Although this entrance has a lot of windows, they are positioned in a way that prevents people from climbing through them.

Photo by Brad Spicer.

School is back in session, and many campus administrators are seeking ways to improve staff and student safety.

In fact, researchers such as IHS note that recent tragedies at educational institutions, such as the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, will drive the market for school security system integration in the United States to increase by more than 80 percent from 2012 to 2017.

RELATED: Keep Your School Safe This Year With These Two Back To School Apps

But what solutions should schools adopt?

In this old but still-relevant slideshow,  take a look at access control solutions that k-12 campuses and districts should consider.

In your opinion, what are the best security solutions to install at schools?  Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!

If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our digital newsletters!

Tagged With: Access Control, K12

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