What Can Districts Do To Improve School Door Security?

School safety is a top priority for educators, parents, and communities alike. In recent years, high-profile incidents have highlighted the vulnerabilities in school security systems, especially doors and windows. 

Improving school door security is not just about installing better locks; it involves a multi-layered approach to ensure students and staff are protected.

In this article we’ll explore effective strategies districts can implement to secure doors and boost overall security across their facilities.

6 Strategies for Increasing School Door Security

1. Reinforcing Glass with Riot Glass Security Glazing

Doors and windows with traditional glass are among the weakest points in a building’s security system. Intruders can break through these surfaces quickly to gain entry, bypassing even the most secure locks. For schools, this presents a critical safety risk during active threat scenarios and other emergencies, especially when a lockdown is in place.

Riot Glass security glazing is a simple yet highly effective solution for improving school door security when doors contain glass themselves or are adjacent to vulnerable windows. This durable, shatter-resistant material is designed to withstand forced entry attempts, keeping attackers out and giving law enforcement precious time to arrive. 

By preventing intruders from breaching glass doors, Riot Glass boosts lockdown security and provides peace of mind to staff and parents alike — but securing school doors doesn’t end at the door itself. Intruders often exploit nearby windows to bypass locked entrances. Reinforcing all glass surfaces within reach of doors ensures that every potential access point is protected. 

Riot Glass offers effective active threat access denial solutions for schools that secure both doors and adjacent windows, eliminating weak links in the building’s perimeter and interior areas.

2. Implementing Modern Access Control Systems

Access control systems are another vital component of modern commercial security systems. These systems restrict entry to authorized individuals, allowing schools to monitor and manage who enters the building at any time. By combining access control with security cameras, alarms, and other measures, schools can quickly respond to potential threats.

Districts should consider implementing the following features when incorporating access control to improve school door security:

• RFID Keycards or Fobs: These allow staff to unlock doors with a personalized card or device, reducing the need for physical keys that can be lost or duplicated.
• Visitor Management Systems: These require visitors to check in, provide identification, and receive approval before entering sensitive areas.
• Automatic Lockdown Triggers: In the event of an emergency, these systems can lock all doors simultaneously, preventing intruder movement.

3. Upgrading Door Locks and Hardware

Traditional school door locks can be vulnerable to tampering or force. Modern solutions, such as deadbolts with reinforced strike plates and electromagnetic locks, provide far greater resistance to these forced entry tactics.

Here are some recommended features to look for when choosing new locks for securing school doors:

• Interior Locking Mechanisms: Teachers should be able to lock doors from the inside without needing a key. This capability ensures rapid lockdowns without compromising safety.
• Panic-Proof Design: Locks should allow easy egress during emergencies like fires, ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
• High-Quality Materials: Choosing locks made of strong, forced entry-resistant materials and hardware reduces the need for frequent replacements.

4. Maintaining Locked Classroom Doors

Keeping classroom doors locked during school hours is a simple yet effective strategy for improving school door security. A locked door can delay or prevent an intruder from entering, giving authorities more time to intervene and protecting students and faculty from harm.

To ensure that school doors are able to remain securely closed and locked at all times, districts should conduct regular inspections to ensure locks and hinges are functioning properly.

5. Routine Security Assessments

No school door security system is foolproof, and vulnerabilities can arise over time due to wear, outdated technology, or evolving threats. Routine security assessments help districts identify and address these gaps before they become critical.

Districts should partner with professional security consultants for comprehensive evaluations. These experts can provide actionable insights and help develop a checklist for ongoing maintenance.

Here are some components of an effective security audit:

• Inspecting Physical Security: Examine locks, hinges, and glass for signs of wear or tampering.
• Testing Technology: Ensure that access control systems, alarms, and surveillance cameras are fully operational and integrated.
• Soliciting Feedback: Teachers and other staff often notice security issues firsthand; their input is invaluable.

6. Training Staff and Students

A secure school environment depends on everyone’s participation. Staff and students must be well-prepared to respond effectively in emergencies, including worst-case active threat scenarios.

Running educational campaigns around security, including school door security, can help foster a culture of security awareness.

These campaigns should teach students how to recognize suspicious activity and report it to trusted adults as well as train staff in using emergency systems, including door-locking mechanisms and alarm triggers.

By working to build a culture of security awareness, schools can ensure a cohesive response to threats in which everyone from the principal to the students plays a role in keeping the campus safe.

Conclusion

Addressing school door security vulnerabilities is a complex challenge that requires a multi-layered approach. 

Reinforcing window and door glass with Riot Glass security glazing is a critical first step, as it prevents intruders from exploiting weak points. However, this solution must be complemented by other measures, such as access control systems, modern locks, and regular security assessments.

Districts must also prioritize staff and student training to ensure that everyone understands their role in maintaining safety. By combining these strategies, schools can create a secure environment where students can focus on learning without fear.

District administrators should take immediate steps to evaluate their current school door security systems and make necessary improvements. 

Riot Glass offers a proven solution for securing school doors and windows against forced entry, making it an essential component of any school security plan. 

Contact Riot Glass today to learn how we can help protect your campus.