Designing for Security
Feb 1, 2010 12:00 PM, By Paul W. Erickson
Security and safety are critical for successful, healthful learning environments.
A secure transition
Retrofitting buildings is more challenging than designing new facilities. Most schools built prior to the 21st century provided minimal security controls. Controlling main entrances via camera installation comes up short to the level of security for building access desired by education institutions.
Brooklyn Center Public Schools, in a suburb of Minneapolis, addressed security at its high school by reconfiguring its main entrance and administration area. Before the renovation, access was through the main vestibule directly to the central hallway, which bypassed the administrative area. Because of the building configuration, access control could be supervised only minimally by a volunteer stationed near the entrance. An intruder can breach this type of control easily.
The district determined that renovating the administration area and retrofitting the main entrance was the most effective way to enhance security. The goal was to provide a secure entrance for students, parents and general public before, during and after school hours; provide a highly visible administrative area for students and staff; and maintain a welcoming and friendly atmosphere of service to the community.
The vestibule doors were resituated to create a larger vestibule; electronic locks were installed in the vestibule doors; a new single door was installed from the vestibule to the new administrative reception area for visitors and student services; the entrance to administration was renovated, providing more windows and entry doors for greater visibility to the main hallway; strategically situated cameras were provided at the entry, vestibule, reception area and administrative entrance.
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