Advocacy

Opening the Door to School Safety

This public relations campaign raises awareness with school administrators about the importance of safely securing classroom doors with code compliant methods and pointing to the experts who can assist them in balancing the life safety and security needs of their schools: door security and safety professionals. As the next step in our campaign, we have launched a new website to provide a home for our growing library of resources and information.

Please visit www.lockdontblock.org for additional details and resources, including a new recording of our roundtable webinar conversation with Safe and Sound Schools. We encourage you to share this information with your colleagues and your communities.

The increased number of school shootings has created a growing public concern for safety in schools. Numerous opinions have evolved for improving student safety from an active shooter situation. In addition, several temporary door locking devices, or door barricade devices, have been made available with the intention of providing protection for students while in the classroom.

Unfortunately, these products fall short of the code requirements¹ and often lead to unintended consequences. It is critical that these devices are vetted through the formal code process to ensure that the proper balance of life safety and security is met. There are already solutions in place in most schools and experts who can help you confirm if your school safe and secure.

Please watch the video above, view our webinar discussion with Safe and Sound Schools, and read our press release to learn more.

¹ “Barricade Device? Think Twice!” Lori Greene, AHC/CDC, FDAI, FDHI, CCPR. Doors + Hardware, May 2015

Important Statistics

• 12% of students in grades 9-12 reported being in a physical fight on school property in 2011 Source: CDC Violence Fact Sheet
• 20.1% of students in grades 9-12 reported to being bullied on school property Source: CDC Violence Fact Sheet
• 9% of school teachers reported being threatened with injury by a student from their school during the 2011-12 school year Source: https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=49

How Do I Know If My School Has Classroom Security Locks?

Check that the classroom door can be locked from the inside without opening the door, yet still allow egress from inside without having to unlock it. The door must be able to be unlocked from the outside as well. These are common door lock functions that are tested and certified to the highest standards of security and safety, and consistently meet required fire and building codes in schools and to date have been effective against active shooters. If you’re still uncertain, contact a door security and safety professional to help evaluate your facility.

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Press Contact

If you would like to interview
the Foundation, contact:

Jasmine Guerra
Phone: 312.673.5677
jguerra@dhi.org

NFPA 3000 Webinar

View this important webinar about NFPA 3000™ (PS) Standard For Active Shooter / Hostile Event Response Program presented by John Montes of NFPA and hosted by DSSF. Learn about NFPA 3000 content and contributors, ways you can organize, implement and communicate about ASHER strategies, and NFPA resources and tools available to you. We encourage you to share this with your colleagues, schools and communities. View slides here.

More Resources Are Also Available at www.Lockdontblock.org

• Roundtable Webinar Discussion with Safe and Sound Schools
  Watch our joint webinar roundtable with Safe and Sound Schools, “Door Security & Safety: Continuing the Conversation.” 
  
• Interview on EduTalk Radio For School Superintendents
  Listen to our radio interview featuring the experts in our video - Guy Grace, Director of Security and Emergency Planning, Littleton Public Schools and Brian Geraci, MD State Fire Marshal, Board of Directors for National Association of State Fire Marshals.
• National Association of State Fire Marshals White Paper
  NASFM has published a white paper entitled Classroom Door Security and Locking Hardware to address its security concerns, including suggested classroom door checklists.
• Myths (and Facts) About Classroom Barricade Devices
  Read NASFM's myths and facts or watch this video with a presentation from author Lori Greene, AHC/CDC, FDAI, FDHI, CCPR.
• Ohio Testimony Against Barricade Devices in Schools
  Review the packet of information provided by the Foundation here and the final statement and decision of the Ohio Board of Building Standards
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Update
  Codes and standards updates to come for classroom door locking against unwanted entry.
• Choosing the Right Classroom Locks
  Learn more about basic differences in lock functionality and how locks are graded.
• Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS) Resources
  PASS has published a white paper entitled Classroom Barricade Devices as well as a checklist, guidelines and video for school safety and security.

 

Thank You for Your Collaboration

                                    
 
                           

Thank You To Our Premier Contributor Circle

We proudly thank those who contributed to the foundation to support this important campaign, as well as those who support us throughout the year. If you are interested in contributing to the Foundation you can contribute online or contact Cedric Calhoun, CAE, CEO to learn more about high level contributor opportunities at ccalhoun@doorsecuritysafety.org.