As we’ve discussed, the classroom is the heart of the school and securing classrooms is a top priority. However, while classrooms are critical, they are just one part of a larger structure. To truly protect a school, we must look beyond the classroom and focus on securing the entire building.
Schools are complex environments with many different spaces that serve various functions. Offices, storage rooms, restrooms, and other areas present unique security needs that must be addressed with specific lock functions, that can all be found with the TownSteel Aegis and Rejuvenator locks.
The Rejuvenator capabilities lie in the lock bodies’ ability to be installed in existing mortise lock preps to directly replace existing Schlage, Corbin Russwin, Sargent, Marks/Dormakaba, or Best mortise locks. In the past, the only way to change to a different manufacturer’s mortise lock was to buy a new door and have it machined to that lock body’s templating. The Rejuvenator mortises allow replacement with no modifications to the existing doors. The same goes for the Aegis Bored lock. It can replace any existing cylindrical or bored lock without replacing the door, and it won’t void any fire ratings on the existing door. To achieve comprehensive school security, every door in the building needs to be locked and secured properly, which can be accomplished with these locks. Let’s consider the specific needs of each space on campus when selecting locks and evaluating their functions:
Whole Building Security: Lock Functions
Privacy – Non-Keyed
Privacy is a key concern in spaces like restrooms, where students and staff expect a higher level of discretion. Spaces like these should use a privacy function lock, allowing the person inside the room to lock the door from the inside, preventing others from entering. The Aegis Bored and Mortise locks address this specific function. The latch bolt is operated by the lever from either side, except when the outside lever is made inoperable by the thumb turn on the inside. This also changes the status indicator. The outside lever is unlocked by rotating the inside thumb turn, rotating the inside lever, or emergency release on the outside. The inside lever is always operable.
Faculty Privacy
Staff or faculty restrooms on the other hand, may want a different level of security. For this use case, the lock’s latch bolt should be operated by the lever from inside or by turning the key from outside. The inside thumb turn makes the outside key inoperable and changes the status indicator. Operating the inside lever or operating the outside emergency release unlocks the outside key cylinder and changes the status indicator. A privacy lock, like the TownSteel Bored or Mortise lock, can be unlocked from the outside in case of an emergency, usually done using a small tool (like a flathead screwdriver or a specific privacy key) that fits into a small hole on the outside escutcheon . Additionally, each of these locks feature the same large message indicator escutcheons, creating cohesion across the campus.
Storeroom
For some rooms, access to the area should be strictly controlled to prevent unauthorized entry, where some schools may want their doors to always be locked. In this case, the school should opt for a storeroom function where the lock’s latch bolt is operated by a key from the outside or by rotating the inside lever. In this case, the outside lever is always inoperative. Some authorities having jurisdiction mandate this function for their schools. TownSteel offers Bored and Mortise versions of Storeroom locks with single, or dual, message indicators.
Classroom
Classrooms, offices, or general use areas where the schools want the ability to lock the door from the inside without a key should use locks with a classroom function. The Aegis Bored and Mortise lock’s latch bolt is operated by the lever from either side, except when the outside lever is locked by the thumb turn inside or key outside. When the outside lever is locked, the latch bolt can be retracted by the lever inside while the outside lever remains locked. When a school only wants the ability to lock or unlock the doors with a key, the Classroom Intruder Double Cylinder function featured on the Aegis locks is designed for such a case.
Code Requirements
Openings, like ones that lead outside or to stairwells, enabling efficient evacuation from any part of the building, are required to have exit devices by code. Exit devices must comply with local and national building codes and must be fire-rated.
Law Enforcement Response
In an emergency, law enforcement needs to clear the entire building, not just the classrooms. Ensuring that all spaces are secure and free from unauthorized access is crucial for a rapid and effective response. Effective locking systems can help isolate specific areas of the school, making it easier for law enforcement to methodically clear the building. With secure but accessible locks, law enforcement can quickly unlock doors when needed, ensuring they can move through the building efficiently. Locking systems with status indicators featured on the TownSteel Aegis Bored and Mortise locks specifically allow law enforcement to quickly see which doors are locked or unlocked, helping them make informed decisions during an emergency.
Conclusion
When it comes to school security, it’s important to consider the entire building. While classrooms are the starting point, we can’t afford to stop there. Every part of the school, from restrooms to offices, must be secured. By thinking holistically about school security and considering the product functions needed to secure the entire building, we’re taking the right approach.
