A Guide to Securing Your School Doors and Locks

Finding the best door locks to secure your school doesn’t have to be dreary or overwhelming. Sure, it is not pleasant to think that your school needs more secure entryways or to be “hardened,” but many administrators feel it’s simply realistic to improve security where they can.

At Anderson Lock, we’ve installed thousands of locks in hundreds of schools, and we can tell you that a thoughtful door lock system for your school not only makes the building feel safer for administration, staff, and students, it makes it look and feel more modern and up to date—sometimes even kind of cool.

Rising Concerns Over School Safety

Some people will tell you that school violence is statistically very rare. But any single incident is a serious issue for those involved. And while school-related crime is not exactly commonplace, it is still a growing concern.

School Safety Facts

Nearly 80 percent of schools were constructed before the year 2000, which is to say before the era of modern safety concerns.[1] Many of those schools have vulnerabilities at the point of their doors and locks that should be addressed.
In 2019–20, a full 77 percent of public schools recorded one or more incidents of crime. Total incidents occurred at a rate of 29 incidents per 1,000 students. Violent incidents occurred at a rate of 19 per 1,000 students.[2]
Another study found violent incidents to have increased over 300 percent between the 2016–17 and 2023–24 school years.[3]
Then there is the simple vulnerability to unauthorized access, which can pose potential threats to students and staff.

The Role of Doors and Locks in Enhancing Security

Schools typically have numerous entry and exit points, each of which should be fitted with the appropriate lock. The right door locks offer:

A physical barrier The most basic form of security is to simply bar someone’s way with a locked door.
Access management Smart lock systems for schools allow you to assign, revise, and revoke access privileges instantly.
An aid to first responders Electronic access control systems can be used to help first responders gain access to the building during an emergency. You can also program them to prevent unauthorized access outside of school hours or during lockdowns.

Doors and locks are a crucial component of school security, and yet 1 in 4 schools have classrooms that cannot be locked from inside.

At Anderson Lock, we believe we can do better.

Key Considerations When Choosing the Right School Door and Lock System

Upgrading your school door locks can be a time- and cost-intensive undertaking, so it’s important to do your research and get it right.

We can boil down the process into four main factors:

Your school’s safety assessment
Your lockdown strategy
Your hardware needs
Compliance with codes, regulations, and best practice recommendations

School Safety Assessment

You should always begin by taking stock of your current circumstances. Many organizations offer school safety assessment tools, including:

The Office of Justice Programs (ojp.gov)
The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (cisa.gov)
National School Safety and Security Services (schoolsecurity.org)

Many of these tools will be very comprehensive, covering a multitude of factors beyond physical locks and doors. For our purposes here, you’ll want to focus on entrances and exits and classrooms.

As a team, ask:

What are all the ways in and out of the building? How are they currently secured?
How are classrooms secured?
How do visitors get into and out of the building? How are they logged?
What happens with exterior doors outside of school hours?

Lockdown Strategies

Your lockdown protocols should fit your circumstances and capabilities. You may want to begin with your ideal strategy, then decide between must-haves and nice-to-haves to give yourself flexibility with budget and availability.

There are two main lockdown protocols:

Local lockdown Also called “decentralized decision with local application,” this method calls on teachers to make individual decisions about locking doors from inside the classroom and evacuation.
Global lockdown Also called “centralized decision with universal application,” this method uses an access control system to automatically lock all doors upon activation.

In reality, you will likely wind up with a hybrid of these two.

Hardware Needs

Your safety assessment should help you identify vulnerabilities, and your lockdown strategy will help you identify security needs. The next step is to determine what level of mitigation, if any, you want to take regarding each vulnerability. This will require you to find the balance between taking due diligence in protecting your staff, students, and property and maintaining the building as a public space where neighbors and the community often gather.

To establish your hardware needs, ask:

How effective are your current doors and locks? Are they durable enough to resist forced entry? Do they need to be upgraded, or might it be possible to retrofit them with newer technology?
How simple to use are your current locks? How easy is it to unlock doors in case of evacuation?
How efficient and effective is your current key management program? Would there be benefits in upgrading to an electronic system?
Do all doors need mechanical key access, or can some of them be converted to keypad, biometric, proximity, or key card locks?
How important is it to have your locks connected to a central network so they can be controlled remotely?

Understanding School Safety Standards and Requirements

Finally, you need to understand what codes and regulations apply to your building.

Currently, guidance about door locks for schools, including classroom door locks, is governed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Some states or municipalities have enacted additional codes. The State of Illinois has standards for conducting safety drills and developing emergency plans, but these standards do not include requirements for door and lock security.

There are several regulations to factor into consideration, all of which Anderson Lock can help you navigate to stay compliant.

The regulations are designed to balance security and safety[4]:

Exterior doors can be locked from the outside to prevent unauthorized access. It must be possible for those inside to exit through those doors without any tools or special knowledge in case of emergency.
Exit doors must latch with a single motion.
Classroom doors can be fitted to lock from the inside to prevent entry by an intruder. Those inside must still be able to exit if need be, and authorized personnel need to be able to unlock the door from the outside.
Classroom doors may not be barricaded. Such barricades can slow down first responders or even be used by unauthorized persons.
Door hardware must be UL-listed for safety and durability compliance.
Door locks must be within reach of anyone with a physical handicap. Under the ADA, this means they should be between 15 and 48 inches from the floor. The NFPA recommends 34–48 inches.

A Comprehensive Review of Door and Lock Options for Schools

You have a lot of choices when it comes to security locks for your school doors. This guide will introduce them to you, but you should speak with a lock expert to find the right one for your facility.

Cylindrical Lever Locks

The most common type of school door lock. The latch is operated with a simple lever, and the lock cylinder is located inside the lever itself. They are relatively inexpensive, but they are also relatively easy to pick or force open.

Mortise Locks

These are more robust locks often used in higher-security settings. They consist of a cartridge that sits inside the door, and the lock mechanism requires a separate hole from the lever or knob.

Electronic Access Control Systems

Also called “smart locks,” these can be locked and unlocked with digital credentials like key cards, a number pad, or fobs.

Mobile Access Control

Many smart locks can be operated via a mobile app on your smartphone. These offer the ultimate in flexibility and convenience.

Biometric Systems

These locks use unique physical features, such as your fingerprint or iris, to identify authorized persons. While expensive to install and maintain, they offer a high level of security.

Panic Bars

All the exit doors in your school must be equipped with panic bars, which allow for quick evacuation.

Innovative Security Measures: Beyond Traditional Locks

As you’ve probably realized from the previous section, there are many options beyond the traditional mechanical locks to secure your school doors.

Intelligent, Wi-Fi–Enabled Locks

Digital networking technology allows you to monitor and control smart door locks from a computer or smartphone.

Touchless and Automated Entry Solutions

RFID and other signaling technology can be programmed to open and shut doors when the access card or fob is within range. These locks offer maximum convenience as well as greater hygiene.

Digital Facility Access Records

With smart door locks on your school, you can have a real-time record of who and when people access your doors. This is especially useful during security audits or in case of an official investigation.

Special Considerations for Classroom Security

School security requires a layered approach that encompasses entrances and exits, passageways, and classrooms. When these work together, you limit the movements of an unauthorized person and improve response times for officials.

Security Hardware

Rapid Lockdown Locks

These locks are designed to engage quickly, either with a single motion or via remote signal. Electronic rapid lockdown locks can be connected to a central network or operated by teachers inside the classroom.

The simplest version involves a magnet that covers the door’s strike plate so that it does not latch when shut. Teachers can leave the door permanently locked but still use the door while the magnet is in place. To lock the door in case of a lockdown, they need only remove the magnet.

Silent Panic Buttons

When placed inside classrooms and offices, these allow teachers and staff to signal for help without drawing unwanted attention to themselves.

Security Practices

National School Safety and Security Services make additional recommendations for school security best practices[5]:

Establish a main entrance Direct all visitor traffic to a single entrance where they can be welcomed, logged, and directed.
Direct visitor traffic through main office Reconfigure your main entrance so that visitor must first enter the office before being given access to the rest of the building. Ideally, the main exterior door would be monitored with a camera and require visitors to use a buzzer to gain entrance.
Limit outside entrances Lock any door that may be used to enter the building, including the main entrance. It should still be possible to exit through these doors for P.E., recess, emergencies, etc., but re-entry should require a key or access card.
Log all visitors Have all visitors sign in and out, and develop a policy for when a visitor should be escorted through the building.
Secure custodial and delivery entrances These doors should be locked at all times and only opened by authorized personnel. All deliveries should be logged, including the vendor, name of the delivery person, vehicle license plate, date and time of both arrival and departure, and any other relevant information. The inconvenience in the short term will pale compared with the value of the information should you ever need it.
Keep all doors locked at night When staff remain in the building after school hours, entrance doors should be locked from the outside for their protection.
Train your students and staff Train staff to greet and “challenge” strangers, i.e., politely ask about the person’s business. Staff should report strangers they feel are unsafe to approach. Train students not to open doors to anyone they do not know.
Involve the parents Tell parents about your security measures. Explain to them when and how they can expect to enter the building and why some staff or students may not let them in through an unauthorized entrance.
Install surveillance cameras You may not have the budget for a full-time surveillance person, but cameras act as a deterrent and can provide useful information in case of an incident.

What You Need to Know About Barricade Devices

Many lock companies offer secondary barrier devices that make it physically impossible to open the door should the lock be broken. These include braces for double doors, sleeves for door arms, bars that slide across the door, or stoppers that mount on or in the floor. Companies selling these devices boast that they are simple to use and much cheaper than upgrading all your building and classroom door locks.

Furthermore, these companies may claim that barrier devices do not violate NFPA codes because they are temporary devices and, they argue, the codes apply only to permanently installed hardware.

Few organizations concerned with school safety have said they believe secondary barriers should never be used at all. However, many of these same organizations strongly warn schools against using them.

The Case Against Barricade Devices

The Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS) lays out the case quite fairly in their position paper warning against the use of barrier devices.[6]

Arguments in favor:

They are inexpensive, easy to acquire, and easy to use for most able-bodied people.
Several major organizations recommend them, including the ALICE Training Institute, FEMA, the FBI, and the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security, Education, and Justice.
They are temporary measures that do not permanently affect doors or locks, so they should not fall under the jurisdiction of official codes.
In active shooter situations, securing doors should take precedence over safe evacuation.

Arguments against:

Most codes, including the NFPA codes, do not distinguish between permanent and temporary hardware. Therefore, these codes still apply to temporary devices.
Many of these devices cannot be easily used by people with disabilities.
These same devices could be used by an intruder to trap people inside a classroom and prevent authorities from accessing it.
Some active shooter incidents have involved explosive devices, and in such cases it is important to ensure quick evacuation.
Several news reports have found police departments to be unprepared to handle door barricades, meaning their use could imperil those inside.
There has never been a case where an active shooter broke through a locked classroom door, so barricades are not necessary.

If you are considering using secondary barrier devices, you should consult with your local fire marshal, who has jurisdiction to make the call as to whether it’s an acceptable device.

Funding and Grants Available for School Door and Lock Upgrades

All this security hardware for your doors and locks costs money, but there is help available.

States and the federal government recognize the importance of keeping schools safe and often create programs to ease the burden on individual schools.

It’s always worth doing your own internet research to see what you can find. Several sites offer specific assistance for schools looking for grant money:

FEMA (fema.gov) FEMA offers homeland security grants for school security upgrades.
SchoolSafety.gov (schoolsafety.gov) This site keeps an up-to-date list of information about school safety, including grants. It also has a useful grant finder tool.
COPS (cops.usdoj.gov) A collaboration between schools and local law enforcement, this site helps schools connect with funding available through police departments.
National Systems Contractors Association (NSCA; nsca.org) The NSCA legislation tracker helps you see what legislation is pending, enacted, and/or funded.

You can also check your local state legislatures and Board of Education for available funds.

Special Considerations for Seeking Grants

Each grant has its own specific criteria for eligibility and applying, so read the details clearly. Look out for details such as:

Requiring a federal System for Award Management (SAM) number
Delimiting what the grant money can cover, which may exclude physical hardware such as door locks
Preferences or recognition of specific safety protocols
Use of a state contract from which to purchase products and services

Success Stories in School Security Upgrades

Anderson Lock Partners with District 225

In 2017, Anderson Lock began partnering with District 225 in north-suburban Chicagoland to upgrade their school door and lock security. The district includes Glenbrook North High School (which features in several John Hughes films) and Glenbrook South, which together serve over 5,000 students.

Working together with the district, our access control team assessed the security situation and created a detailed set of specifications to meet their security needs. Then we installed, integrated, and programmed the system to work simply and seamlessly. We continue to monitor and update the system, which now numbers over 1,200 locks.

NIU Trusts Anderson Lock Across Its Campus

When the pandemic forced the closures of schools and disrupted supply chains, we found ourselves in a tricky situation fulfilling our contract to upgrade the electronic security system at Northern Illinois University, which has a student body of nearly 16,000.

Fortunately, we had earned the trust of the NIU team when we first worked with them in 2017. Then, we brought in our expert partners, Vanderbilt Industries (now Acre), to design a custom electronic security system for the school and its many buildings.

We installed and integrated a powerful security management system (SMS) that links all the university’s buildings, supports an unlimited number of access cards, and provides an unparalleled amount of control. The system gives users the ability to manage alarms, locks, visitors, and even elevators from a single platform.

Working closely with Housing and Student Services, we were able to finally complete the project by installing new smart locks and replacing old doors and locks with minimal disruption to normal operations.

You now have a foundational understanding of the state of school door and lock security in the present era. You know how important security is for your school. Anderson Lock is your expert school security partner in assessing, designing, installing, and maintaining the doors and locks that will keep your team and your students safe.

References

[1] Funding for School Security. Partner Alliance for Safer Schools. passk12.org

[2] Fast Facts: School crime. NCES School Crime Stats. nces.ed.gov

[3] Violent Threats and Incidents in Schools. The Educator’s School Safety Network. eschoolsafety.org/violence

[4] School safety and security update. National Fire Protection Association, 2019. iccsafe.org

[5] School Access & Visitor Control. National School Safety and Security Services. schoolsecurity.org

[6] Classroom Barricade Devices. Partner Alliance for Safer Schools. passk12.org