School doors for schools – their importance to security and safety
When parents send their children to school, they are delivering their care and welfare into the hands of the school staff – and the school MUST ensure that these children are, not only given a rewarding and, hopefully, enjoyable education experience, but they are also kept safe and secure.
There are many different and important aspects to consider when establish security for your school premises – here a few of the most common school security and safety problems:
Vandalism – An unfortunate common occurrence
Intentional vandalism and damage to school premises is, unfortunately, a common occurrence – windows smashed, and graffiti daubed are examples of the problems faced. All areas of your school premises – the outbuildings, perimeter walls and fences, playing fields and car parks should all be secured as well as the actual school building itself.
Burglary – schools always house expensive equipment
Schools will always be housing expensive equipment – computers, televisions, laboratory equipment and other electrical goods, along with other various items of value making schools an obvious target for burglars. School premises are vacant a lot of the time, so you need to consider appropriate security measures for these periods. Consider what measures will, not only prevent the actual burglary, but also act as a deterrent to would-be thieves.
Unlawful trespass – a key consideration for duty of care
Maintaining the safety and security of pupils is the main consideration for a school and its’ duty of care – ensuring unauthorised people are denied access to the premises is a major responsibility. Consider appropriate defences for the perimeter of the school and commercial security doors for the school building itself.
Having identified potential threats to school security and safety, you need to consider what steps you need to take to ensure the premises security – here are some common solutions to consider:
Risk assessment –a great starting point of any safety plan
All schools are different, so will present unique problems for security – but a risk assessment is always a great starting point regardless of your school’s location and lay-out. Establish a risk assessment template that can be used to first implement, then regularly reinforce, safety and security measures.
Secure grounds – install robust perimeter fencing
Installing robust perimeter walls and fencing is important – establish one main entrance for access to and from the school and ensure that it is appropriately gated and monitored. Where feasible and affordable, consider electronic technology for access through the gates – this not only boosts security, but also helps with keeping track of whoever is present on the premises at any given time.
Security doors – prevent attempts at unlawful access
For the buildings themselves ensure you install specifically designed and manufactured security doors for schools. These commercial security doors will prevent persistent attempts at unlawful access to your premises.
Consider also installing internal security doors for schools – these will help compartmentalise the building so that, in the event of a security breach into the school, the areas in which the intruders can move is severely restricted and contained. Include in your considerations the same principles for protection in the event of a fire outbreak – specifically manufactured school fire doors will protect both people and the property itself from heat, flame, and dangerous smoke if a fire outbreak occurs.
Staff training – establish guidance and processes
Your school should have established and published security guidance procedures and processes – ensure that all staff are constantly aware of these and be trained in implementing the emergency action plan in the case of a security or fire emergency.
Enfield Doors
Our team of experts is always on hand to guide you and give you sound and pragmatic advice based on years of experience and successful installations.
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