When it comes to building and designing a new locker space or updating an existing one, there are several factors and locker lock options that facility managers at schools and universities should consider. Schools and college campuses are home to hundreds, if not thousands, of students in a given school year, with locker spaces ranging from hallways and gym locker rooms to rec facilities and test centers. The needs of these varied spaces make it important for facility managers to choose locker lock solutions that not only provide proper security, but also allow for operational efficiency when servicing locks.
How Access Type Affects Security & Operational Efficiency
Access type sets the precedent for overall security and operational efficiencies throughout an education facility. Facility managers should first decide whether they want to have users bring their own lock, or if they want to manage access to all lockers by providing the locks to the students. While implementing a “bring your own lock” system can help reduce initial cost for the facility, it can limit the school’s role in maintaining security as it puts access control in the hands of the students.
Solutions like combination charting and supervisory keys offer facility managers greater control over access. With combination charting, facility managers can locate combinations and share with the user who has forgotten their code or access the locker themselves, if needed. Similarly, a supervisory key allows authorized personnel to quickly access many lockers.
Master Lock maintains a database on each lock installation to provide added security and make it easy to add locks to a system. In deciding what access type to deploy in a locker space, facility managers should ask themselves: how do I want staff spending their time from a security standpoint?
By having access to all combinations throughout a locker space or having the ability to open lockers with a supervisory key, facility managers can reduce time and resources spent on servicing students’ locks. For example, a “bring your own” system would require facility managers to cut off locks if students forget their combination or key, creating a strain on operations and risking locker damage.
Considering Budget, Aesthetics & Compliance
Other important steps in identifying the right locker lock solution for your facility include weighing cost, convenience, aesthetic and compliance requirements.
A variety of features and access methods are available to facility managers that fit within most budgets. Traditionally, portable locker locks are lower cost, built-in combination locks are at mid-tier price points and multi-user locks are typically at higher price points. Electronic locks are at the highest price points, driven by the additional technology and features.
Within the budget conversation, also comes overall aesthetics. Another benefit of a facility providing locks is the ability to manage the look and feel of the locker space. What finishes and materials are used throughout the locker space? Is it more traditional or is it sleek and modern? What material and color are the lockers? How can the locker locks complement that aesthetic?
Finally, it is also important to think about the ADA standard for accessible design. ADA compliance requires that 5 percent of new locker spaces be accessible to those with disabilities. Master Lock offers a variety of ADA compliant locks which can also serve the non-ADA user when not in ADA use.
Locker Lock Options That Best Meet Facility Operational Needs
All factors considered, it is up to the school or university to decide what locker lock type best meet their operational needs across various locker areas. As education facility managers look to build new locker spaces or renovate existing ones, Master Lock offers a variety of form factors, including:
· Portable Locker Locks – Considered Master Lock’s classic offering, these portable padlocks offer general security plus administrative access with a supervisory key. Customization options include school logos, colors and different shackle lengths. Facility managers have the option to have students bring their own lock or they can provide/sell them the lock to achieve uniformity, gain efficiency and maintain security control with combination charting and/or an optional supervisory key.
· Built-In Locker Locks – Master Lock’s variety of built-in locker locks fit many locker latch types and are available in combination, keyed and ADA models. Designed for a single-user during a specific time period (e.g. semester or school year), Master Lock’s built-in locker locks have five pre-set combinations to rotate through, to provide fast and easy combination changes each year to maintain security, providing years of low-maintenance, reliable life. The combination chart and supervisory key come standard with these built-in models.
· Built-In Multi-User Locks – Designed for high user turnover in shared use settings like rec centers, labs or test centers, Master Lock’s built-in multi-user locker locks feature an easy-to-use, intuitive interface, allowing students to choose and set their own memorable combination, which is erased for the next user. These locks can be customized with color and they simplify facility maintenance by eliminating the distribution and management of keys, combinations or lockers. Electronic built-in multi-user locks offer similar functionality with an elegant design spin for premium spaces. Supervisory access is available with all built-in multi-user locks with either the supervisory key or code.
Resources for Education Facility Managers
Building or renovating a locker space can prove to be a complex task, making it important for facility managers to rely on the expertise of vendors like Master Lock to identify the right solution for their operational needs. No matter the size of the locker space, Master Lock offers a variety of locker lock options to improve efficiency across a facility.
Through Master Lock’s online resource center, facility managers at schools & universities can access the information they need to understand various lock types and specify products for their locker space. This resource center includes product specifications, ‘how to’ videos, ADA compliance resources, detail on lock customization options and a locker compatibility guide.
Facility managers can request more information or product samples through the resource center contact form by visiting www.masterlock.com/business-use/school-health-recreation and clicking on “View Resource Center.”Sponsored by:
