Manage Who Enters Your School Grounds with Access Control

The Institute for Public Policy and Social Research at Michigan State University developed a policy research brief regarding providing safe school environments. Within it, they offered the best design practices to improve school safety. 

One of those practices is access control and installing a buzzer system with surveillance cameras. Administrators should be able to spot visitors easily and prevent unauthorized people from entering. Other countries require new public schools to comply with these safe school design guidelines and strongly recommend existing schools implement the practice.

The report noted that while U.S. schools have crisis plans, including mandated lockdowns and other measures to address violent behavior, more attention needs to be paid to the schools' physical environment. They believe lack of attention to this detail places students in vulnerable and potentially violent situations. 

Let’s explore what their findings mean to schools in Lubbock, TX, and how you can help your students and staff stay safe.

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School Safety and Access Control

Government agencies, businesses, and hospitals commonly use access control systems. These systems are designed to protect staff and clients from intruders or disgruntled employees. Some systems are found at every entryway and exit. Others implement access control in certain areas and rooms. 

If businesses and agencies use these systems to protect people, it’s clear that, in light of the increasing violence, students and staff at schools should have the same protection as standard protocol. 

Even those schools with access control may have obsolete systems that do not address current safety needs. For instance, some schools' access systems integrate with their fire alarm system. This means one alarm sounds, no matter the emergency. The downside is that children may start leaving the school, believing there’s a potential fire when, in reality, a violent intruder gained access. Instead of evacuation, these situations require students and teachers to shelter in place. In today's world, schools should have several alarms dictating different security protocols. 

The Benefits of Access Control

Today’s school access control systems may include front entry intercoms, electronic door hardware, software components, and card readers. This system allows only authorized people to enter while making it convenient for students and staff to gain access. They feature campus-wide lockdown capabilities, immediately enhancing security should someone enter with ill intent. If someone attempts to gain entry without the right credentials, the system immediately closes the gate or door and sends an alert to the security team.

When laying out a safety plan, some considerations include access control for exterior perimeters, entrances and exits, and interior doors. Each access control system is specifically designed based on a school’s unique property, the age of the students, and specific security issues. 

At ASAP Security Services, we specialize in designing and implementing school security systems that provide the ultimate protection. We perform site audits to determine any weaknesses and then make recommendations to schools and school districts based on our findings. 

To learn more about the benefits and features of access control systems or to schedule a complimentary site survey, contact ASAP Security Services today.