Building a Comprehensive School Security Strategy: Physical Security

By Brandon Faber

Published on Mar 26, 2024

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Wooden door in a hallway with TownSteel door lock installed for physical security

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Traditionally, focusing exclusively on securing the perimeter of school buildings has been a common strategy for school security. However, this approach is generally accepted to not be enough to adequately address threats.

The most effective method is to deploy a layered physical security approach as suggested by the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS). This aligns with the principle of implementing comprehensive security measures in the following layers: district wide, property perimeter, parking lot perimeter, building perimeter and classroom/interior perimeter.

By combining these elements into a cohesive security plan, school districts can better protect their students and staff from potential threats if one or more layers are compromised (for example if a threat is undetected until within the building).

In this post, we will focus on the four layers most aligned with physical security.

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Property Perimeter

The property perimeter layer encompasses the area from the school’s property boundary to the parking lot, which includes playgrounds, sports fields, and other facilities frequently accessed by the public after school hours. The perimeter serves as the first line of defense against external types of threats and unauthorized access to school grounds.

As a starting point, it’s useful to establish clear boundaries and visible signage to demarcate the property perimeter. This helps to control access to the school grounds and informs individuals of the rules and responsibilities when entering the property.

Securing the property perimeter involves implementing physical security measures to deter unauthorized access and protect against external threats. Gates can be installed at all school entrances or strategic “choke points” on the premises, enabling school officials to initiate lockdown procedures.

Outdoor fixed cameras can also be installed to provide outdoor video surveillance. Mounting options include attaching cameras directly to the school building, mounted on lighting poles, or other structures around the school’s property perimeter.

Additionally, this layer highlights the need for ongoing maintenance and monitoring of the property perimeter to ensure its effectiveness. Regular inspections and assessments of elements such as lighting can help identify any vulnerabilities or areas in need of improvement.

School districts can follow the guidelines provided by the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) when outlining a strategy for outdoor activities and events.

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Parking Lot Perimeter

The parking lot perimeter component of school safety aims to enhance physical security and deterrence of the space. According to PASS, the parking lot is where many schools experience the most safety issues and is the next line of defense should a compromise at the property layer occur.

This may include installing security cameras, lighting, and fencing to provide visibility and deter criminal activity. Adequate lighting is particularly important to improve visibility and reduce the risk of accidents or criminal behavior, especially during evening hours or in poorly lit areas.

Like the school’s property perimeter layer, it’s necessary to have clear boundaries within the parking lot area. Ensure clear navigation from the perimeter parking lot to any destination within it. Signage serves as the primary guide for building users and visitors, directing them to the correct point of entry. This guidance can be supplemented by well-designed landscape walkways, crosswalks, and architectural features near the intended building entry points.

Staff members and regular volunteers should be issued parking decals, stickers, or numbered hang tags for their vehicles. These identifiers should not reveal any personal information. Administrators, teachers, and custodians can also be designated to periodically inspect the parking lot. Equipping them with radio communications ensures quick contact with the office.

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Building Perimeter

The building perimeter layer starts with the school grounds that directly surround the exterior of a building and extends to include the perimeter of the building itself, encompassing its exterior doors and windows. This layer covers all points of entry and exit for individuals entering or leaving a school building.

As a first step, every perimeter door should be categorized as primary, secondary, or tertiary openings. Primary openings, such as main entrances and event entrances, are both controlled and monitored for access to the building. Secondary openings primarily serve as emergency exits but may also be used for limited access, like employee entrances to gain access to playgrounds.

For building entry, primary and secondary doors should have electronic access control or manual cylinder operation. Exit devices should feature visual indicators for security staff to verify their secure status. Additionally, these exit devices should only allow unlocking through key access, with minimized usage wherever possible. Teachers, substitutes, and other relevant staff members should receive training on the correct procedures for locking and unlocking primary and secondary doors as needed throughout the day.

Utilizing video surveillance can also help mitigate risks along the building perimeter. Capturing footage of individuals entering and exiting, as well as their activities at entrances, adds an extra layer of deterrence, and during emergencies, this visual record enhances situational awareness, aiding in effective response strategies and investigations.

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Classroom Perimeter

Classroom security serves as the linchpin of all comprehensive school security strategies. This layer serves as the final line of defense against external threats and frequently acts as the initial safeguard against internal threats to the safety of students, staff, and visitors. Strengthening security measures within classrooms helps lay the groundwork for protecting students and faculty during critical incidents.

As a priority, classroom doors should be equipped with robust locking mechanisms. Mandatory capabilities for classroom door locks include reliability to withstand wear and tear, a key lock on the outside, and the ability to lock the door from inside the room. Thumb turns on the inside of the lock can help quickly secure the room during stressful situations. During a critical stress incident, fine motor skills and mental acuity are severely diminished, making it more difficult for teachers to quickly utilize their keys to lock the door. Thumb turns also provide the ability for anyone to lock down when needed, not just a keyholder. Compliance with building codes requires easy egress from within the building, allowing occupants to exit the room when locked. Classroom doors should be closed and locked when classes are in session, or the rooms are otherwise occupied.

Meeting egress requirements means the door lock unlocks from the inside of the classroom while remaining locked from the outside. However, this feature can cause stress during lockdowns as occupants may need to test the handle from the outside to confirm if the door is locked. Therefore, having a large indicator displaying the door’s status provides much-needed assurance for everyone involved. This can also help law enforcement clear buildings faster during lockdowns, potentially saving lives by stopping threats more quickly.

The integrity of doors and windows is also needed for deterring forced entry. Installing reinforced frames, shatter-resistant glass, or security film can make it significantly more difficult for intruders to breach the perimeter of classrooms. These measures buy valuable time for occupants to enact safety protocols or for responders to arrive.

Equipping classrooms with communication systems, such as a hard-wired telephone, intercoms and panic buttons, empowers teachers to quickly alert authorities or administrators in the event of a security threat at this layer. Additionally, the installation of surveillance systems, such as security cameras, provides monitoring and recording capabilities, aiding in the identification and apprehension of intruders.

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Where to Start First

Any district looking to enhance their security should start with building perimeters and classrooms, which serve as the primary learning spaces for students. Without properly secured classrooms, any comprehensive security plan would be compromised by design.

Starting here includes but is not limited to installing door locks that can be secured from the inside to prevent unauthorized access during a lockdown and ensuring windows are equipped with security window film or curtains to prevent outsiders from looking in.

Additionally, schools should establish a security team consisting of stakeholders such as administrators, teachers, parents, law enforcement representatives, and community members to oversee the development and implementation of safety and security measures.

They can conduct a thorough risk assessment of the school district’s facilities, including physical infrastructure, emergency procedures, and potential threats. Plus, they can identify areas of vulnerability such as unsecured entry points, inadequate emergency communication systems, or lack of staff training.

This team can review existing safety and security policies and procedures and ensure they align with current best practices and local regulations, developing clear protocols for emergency response, visitor management, and crisis communication. These initial recommendations can help school districts make strides towards improving safety and security while laying the foundation for a more comprehensive plan.

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Next Steps for School Safety

Safeguarding schools against critical incidents requires a multilayered approach and classroom security solutions so schools can create safer environments without compromising their core mission of education.

The next phase of school security is the development of clear policies and protocols, including procedures for lockdowns, evacuations, and sheltering in the classroom.

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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