Locks on Dormitory Doors

IN the wake of the Virginia Tech tragedy, sweeping changes are underway to improve campus security. This includes an examination of door locks. The inquiry will include how and when people can gain entrance to classrooms and buildings.

One change is already underway. Virginia Tech is changing the door hardware from so-called “crash bars” to “push panel bars” so the doors can’t be rigged shut. That was the problem at the entrances of Norris Hall, were 30 people were killed. The crash bars were rigged shut, which hampered a police rescue.

School officials also are examining the hardware on doors at Tech’s 100 general purpose classrooms to determine if the mechanisms should be changed to allow the doors to be locked from the inside.

All schools, whether K-12 or university level, would do well to examine the hardware on the doors at each facility to ensure that staff and students could get out of a terrorist’s line of sight in case of an attack. Access to any school should be review by school officials on an ongoing basis.

There is good news from Virginia Tech. Although the country focused on the university April 16 and beyond, safety issues haven’t stopped a record number of students seeking application to attend. The school was expecting 5,000 new students. Those numbers now stand at 5,200.

Well done, Hokies.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher/Editor in chief of Security Today magazine.

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