2017 NFPA Conference & Expo Effective Messaging on School Door Locking Ron Coté, P.E. NFPA At the conclusion of this program participants will be able to: 1. Understand the conflicting needs of security versus safety relative to classroom door locking 2. Recognize safe door locking procedures and the hardware for accomplishing such safety 3. Recognize hardware and procedures that fail to provide occupant safety in the guise of security 4. Tailor effective messaging to achieve safe classroom door locking 2 1
Sandy Hook (2012) Oikos Univ. (2012) Virginia Tech (2007) Red Lake HS (2005) Columbine (1999) The safest place to be is behind a locked classroom door 2
door jammers Chapter 14 New Educational Occupancies Chapter 15 Existing Educational Occupancies 14.2.2.2.4* [15.2.2.2.4*] Classroom Door Locking to Prevent Unwanted Entry 3
14.2.2.2.4* [15.2.2.2.4*] Classroom Door Locking to Prevent Unwanted Entry 14.2.2.2.4* [15.2.2.2.4*] Classroom Door Locking to Prevent Unwanted Entry * advisory annex 4
A.14.2.2.2.4 [A.15.2.2.2.4] While 14.2.2.2.4 [15.2.2.2.4] establishes locking criteria for classroom doors only, a school s emergency action plan could identify situations where other areas need to be secured. The provisions of this subsection should be considered when evaluating those areas as well. Examples of such areas are administrative offices, gymnasiums, teacher lounges, libraries, auditoriums, and cafeterias. 14.2.2.2.4* [15.2.2.2.4*] Classroom Door Locking to Prevent Unwanted Entry Classroom doors shall be permitted to be locked to prevent unwanted entry provided that the locking means is approved and all of the following conditions are met: 5
1of 10. The locking means shall be capable of being engaged without opening the door 2 of 10. The unlocking and unlatching from the classroom side of the door can be accomplished without the use of a key, tool, or special knowledge or effort 6
3 of 10. The releasing mechanism shall open the door leaf with not more than: one releasing operation [Chapter 14 for new] two releasing operations [Chapter 15 for existing] 4 of 10. The releasing mechanism for unlocking and unlatching shall be located at a height not less than 34 in. and not more than 48 in. above the finished floor 7
5 of 10. Locks, if remotely engaged, shall be unlockable from the classroom side of the door without the use of a key, tool, or special knowledge or effort 6 of 10. The door shall be capable of being unlocked and opened from outside the room with the necessary key or other credential 8
7 of 10. The locking means shall not modify the door closer, panic hardware, or fire exit hardware 8 of 10. Modifications to fire door assemblies, including door hardware, shall be in accordance with NFPA 80 9
9 of 10. The emergency action plan, required by 14.7.1 [15.7.1], shall address the use of the locking and unlocking means from within and outside the room 10 of 10. Staff shall be drilled in the engagement and release of the locking means, from within and outside the room, as part of the required emergency egress drills 10
Traditional classroom lockset Security classroom lockset Entrance/office lockset Storeroom lockset Electronic access control lockset PRO Turning key in outside lever locks or unlocks the outside lever Only authorized personnel can lock Free egress CON Classroom occupant must open door in order to lock the outside lever Keys must be issued Process must be in place to ensure locks are locked when needed 11
PRO Outside lever can be locked by key from inside the room Indicator identifies door is locked/unlocked Only authorized personnel can lock Inside cylinder provides free egress CON Keys must be issued Process must be in place to ensure locks are locked when needed PRO Depressing button or rotating turn piece locks outside lever Outside lever locked from inside the room Indicator identifies door is locked/unlocked Inside cylinder provides free egress CON Door can be locked by anyone, including the intruder Process must be in place to ensure locks are locked when needed 12
PRO Outside lever is always locked, cannot be unlocked Free egress CON Door is always locked when closed, so might be inconvenient for classroom access once class has begun PRO Locking/unlocking controlled electrically Doors can be locked from central command station Door cannot be locked by unauthorized person Free egress CON High $$ cost 13
The classroom door must be capable of being unlocked and opened from outside the room with the necessary key or other credential 14
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