Effective School Safety is Complex

By Brandon Faber

Published on May 30, 2024

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Ensuring the safety of students in schools is a multifaceted challenge that requires a comprehensive approach. Each aspect of school safety is crucial (such as having a School Resource Officer on site), but no single measure is sufficient on its own. This is because threats are diverse, ranging from weather events and earthquakes to fires and acts of violence, with the latter being the most challenging to fully prepare for.

Effective preparation for threats of violence need to include measures for maximum deterrence and a continuing culture of awareness and preparedness. In a worst-case scenario, minimizing exposure and neutralizing the threat as swiftly as possible is essential. In a previous blog post, we discussed the necessity of a comprehensive, multi-layered safety strategy that includes physical security, effective policies and processes, and active engagement.

Physical security is at the heart of school safety, centered on securing the classroom and effectively concealing its occupants should a threat of violence arise. It serves as the last line of defense against external threats, where quick and decisive actions can make a significant difference in protecting lives. In past incidents, when students and staff have been able to get behind a locked door, and out of sight from an active assailant, there have been zero fatalities as far as we can tell. Even though securing the classroom is at the heart of school safety, we know that taking this step is only one piece of a much larger, more complicated puzzle and extends well beyond the classroom. That’s why we have partnered with PASS and the ‘I Love U Guys’ Foundation who are experts in building a layered, comprehensive, and effective school safety strategy.

We have thoroughly studied the requirements for school security hardware, leading us to pioneer industry-leading products designed to meet both direct and nuanced needs. Our innovations feature purpose-built hardware products, specifically designed to overcome the shortcomings of preexisting solutions. We call these products the Aegis classroom locks.

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Aegis Classroom Locks: The Ideal Choice for Classroom Security

As we have previously established, upgrading classroom locks is a crucial step in enhancing school security. By installing Aegis classroom locks, schools can create a strong foundation for their safety strategy. These locks are designed for quick and easy installation, minimizing disruption to the learning environment.

Available in two models, Aegis Bored and Aegis Mortise, our locks offer an ideal solution for fitting into existing door preparations with minimal modifications, preserving the door’s fire rating. This saves installation time and avoids the need for costly door replacements. Additionally, schools save money because the Aegis lock is significantly less expensive than its closest competitor. The Aegis line stands out with its all-stainless steel construction and its purpose-built design, ensuring superior quality and alignment with the specific needs of the classroom.

To help schools save more time and money, we designed the Aegis line to accept most existing cylinders and cores, eliminating the need to purchase a new keying system.

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Aegis Classroom Locks Improve Awareness and Compliance

Aegis classroom locks are specifically built for classroom safety, offering a simple yet trustworthy mechanical solution.

A standout feature of the Aegis classroom lock is the status indicator on both sides of the door. This customizable color-coded display provides clear, unmistakable visual feedback on the lock’s status, helping classroom occupants quickly determine if the door is securely locked or unlocked without having to leave the classroom or even approach the door. Although the standard message indicator color is green and red, customers can order different color and message text combinations to fit their needs. The indicator is identical on both sides of the door, making the status even clearer regardless of which side of the door you are on. This feature also aids in audit compliance and keeping school security top-of-mind for staff, faculty, and students.

For law enforcement, the ability to quickly assess the condition of a lock from the outside of the room is crucial. The Aegis lock’s large message indicators enable responders to resolve threat situations significantly faster by reducing the number of rooms they need to clear on their way to neutralizing an active assailant.

The locks also provide psychological comfort for teachers and students, knowing they can rely on a simple and effective security measure that is easy to operate, even under stress. Aegis locks can be activated without hesitation using a convenient thumb-turn mechanism on the inside. They also feature large, laser-etched locking directions on the escutcheon, allowing for swift action in emergencies.

Aegis locks are engineered to meet or surpass BHMA/ANSI Grade 1 and UL 10C standards, assuring they fulfill the safety and accessibility criteria of all schools. Opting for Aegis locks enables schools to bolster their security infrastructure while adhering to vital safety standards.

By incorporating Aegis classroom locks into their safety strategy, schools can streamline the intricate process of securing their learning environments, offering a dependable and uncomplicated solution that elevates safety and instills confidence for all stakeholders.

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Getting Help and Resources

For additional resources on addressing school safety, you can review guidelines and materials from our partners at Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS).

You can also get in touch with us directly. We’d love to hear your thoughts and comments.

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Learn more about our complete School Safety Program