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Safety & Security (Prepare and Be Aware)

Doors 101
By Mark Rowh December 1st, 2014
Doors and locks for offices, classrooms and other
facilities may not top anyone’s priority list. The
same might be said of emergency lighting. But
when support of campus safety and security is
considered, their importance is undeniable. As a
result, due attention to selecting, inspecting and
maintaining doors and accompanying hardware, as
well emergency lighting systems, seems a must for
every institution. At the most fundamental level, this
means assuring that vital components work
together properly, according to Angelo Faenza, general manager of PERSONA and vice president,
campus electronic access control for ASSA ABLOY.
“For the lock to work, whether mechanical or EAC locking device, the very basics of the door and
frame being in sync with the locking device is critical,” he says. “Once you have that door and frame
operating properly, the balance between life safety and security should always come down to how
the institution is protecting its most precious asset — the students, faculty and staff.”
According to William Sporre, vice president, global sales and marketing for Marks USA, quality
should take precedence over cost savings when it comes to investing in such equipment.
“There are no shortcuts in cost when choosing to maintain security hardware and provide life
safety,” he says, noting that the use of Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) ANSI
Grade One UL­listed hardware is essential. He adds that there are many choices in lesser­grade
hardware, which might not satisfy code requirements.
“Certainly fire­rated doors that meet code are also essential, and a variety of functioning life­safety
hardware merits consideration.” Examples include locksets for classrooms that allow instructors to
lock the exterior lever in the case of emergency without going outside the classroom. Available in
both cylindrical and mortise design, these products support safety and security while meeting
building and fire codes.

Advance Planning
During initial construction, reaching out for the right
technical expertise in proper product applications
and code compliance is a key to success,
according to Faenza.
“Get the specs, codes and compliance issues
done at the time of preparing the specification
which will lead to a proper door and hardware
schedule,” he says. “Count on the respective
experts in their field to help with this.”
He says this approach can head off problems,
including added costs for measures such as
having to retrofit a new door and frame before
occupancy. “So many times a brand new door and
frame are cut post­install and pre­occupancy
because proper attention to application and
compliance was not done correctly before bid,”
Faenza says. “Do this early in the planning stages
with the experts.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF KABA ACCESS & DATA SYSTEMS

SAFETY IS KEY. A functional and working key
control system enhances campus security.
Institutions should establish key control policies
and procedures, and follow them. The purpose of
the key policy is to protect the property and
privacy of the college or university, and of
individuals assigned to use university facilities, by
limiting access to such facilities to assigned
individuals and to their supervisors. The number
of keys issued should be kept to a minimum, and
a process for replacing lost keys should also be
included.

While security is paramount, other factors should
also be considered, depending on the needs of specific campus environments, says Dale Mathias,
vice president of multi­housing sales for KABA Access & Data Systems.
“In a student housing environment, product design and finish is important,” he says. “The finish
should be durable to withstand heavy use and abuse. And an antimicrobial finish can help control
bacterial spread in enclosed heavily used environments.”
Once equipment is in place, focused maintenance efforts are recommended.
At the minimum, facilities staff should follow a regular maintenance plan that includes checking on
vandalized hardware, upgrading to meet code changes and incorporating advancements in product
design.
“Setting up appropriate project maintenance schedules is critical,” Faenza says. “Campuses
generally
have excellent, well­trained and skilled tradesmen. It is less an issue of skill than whether the
campus plans for it.”
Mathias adds that for both traditional and electronic equipment, scheduled maintenance is a key to
forestalling problems.
“For electronic, battery­operated devices, set up maintenance schedules for battery change on an
annual or semi­annual basis if necessary. And schedule door inspection throughout campus,
especially cold environments, to insure proper closure and security where critical.”

Electronics and Lighting
In planning ahead, Mathias advises moving away
from mechanical or hard­keyed equipment where
possible.
“Always plan and budget for electronic access
control in privatized or public student housing,
study areas, research and public gathering areas
for safety and security reasons,” he says.
Mathias notes that while hardwired systems can
be effective, wireless security systems have
become the logical next step for campus security.
“Wireless security has evolved and is a
dependable technology today,” he says. “It is cost­
effective and less than half the cost of traditional
hardwired systems.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF ASSA ABLOY

With lighting, attention to security issues can also
bring campus improvements. In some cases, the emphasis falls on back­up lighting for use during
power failures. Whether relying on generators or battery back­up systems, these lights support safe
egress from darkened buildings while also providing lighting for emergency workers.
Many schools are also utilizing blue emergency lights, with newer LED technology providing
increased brightness and reducing energy consumption at the same time. When combined with
easy­to­use call boxes, they enhance security in parking lots, along walkways and in other campus
locations.
Certainly for doors, locks and related equipment, up­front efforts are almost sure to pay off in the
long run.
“The door and frame and the accompanying hardware or access points are the one thing that no one
notices until there is a problem,” Faenza says. “When there is a problem it is suddenly urgent, as it is
the means by which people enter and leave buildings as well as their suite or office.”
In the end, he says, the use of high­quality hardware, doors, frames and access points, along with
the work of properly trained trades staff, will go a long way towards heading off emergencies and
promoting a secure campus.

Points to Ponder
In dealing with facilities­related security issues, choices are not always clear­cut. Here are three
options worth pondering.
1. Glass or no glass? Doors constructed of glass, or of other materials with glass inserts, are
popular on many campuses. But are they a good choice from a security viewpoint? Advocates point
to the increased visibility that could allow security personnel or others to spot untoward activity more

readily — and perhaps serve as a deterrent in the process. But others argue that they would provide
less protection from a shooter or other intruder.
2. Who gets a master key? This may fall under the “nothing’s simple” adage. With traditional lock­
and­key systems, it makes sense to limit the number of staff members who have access to master
keys. But where should that line be drawn? Obviously, the fewer issued, the better. How can the
best balance be achieved between security and convenience for building users, especially those
with legitimate need for after­hours access?
3. How much is enough? With some lighting needs, a common view is the more, the better. But
with emergency lighting, which by definition is infrequently used, the question arises as to the ideal
level of resource dedication. Just how much should be invested in maintaining or updating
emergency lighting systems? And how often should this be revisited?
Copyright 1105 Media Inc.



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