By Cody J. Wortham

“Indeed, the best crisis is the one prevented (pg 14, Barton, 2001)!”

Designing School Security: Better School Security Plans Through Architectural Design

Cody J. Wortham• 2008 Graduate of SHSU

College of Criminal Justice• Interned with the Bureau

of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms

• Former Police Officer, and Licensed Peace Officer in the State of Texas

• 2012 Graduate of SHSU’s Security Studies Graduate School Program

Introduction

• This is not a lesson in security

• To serve as a platform for discussion and exchange within the field to promote safer and more productive learning environment in schools

• Brief review of crisis incidents at public schools

• Meant to provide a basic understanding of issues that face schools.

What To Expect

• Active Shooters• Columbine, Sandy Hook,

Jonesboro• Terrorism• Beslan, Russia• Blue prints of U.S. schools

found in terrorist hideouts in Iraq

• Work Place Violence• Theft/Vandalism• Natural Disasters • Hazardous Material Spills• Any Other Event That Could

Endanger Lives and/or property

Reasons for Efficient Architectural Design, Crisis Management and Security Measures at Schools

• Project originated from a Crisis Management Course

• Originally intended to examine the crisis response policies used by schools (primarily “shelter in place”), and assist a school in improving their emergency response policy

• Meant to mesh together with previous research on violent video games and youth violence at school

Background

• Traditional research methods were used along with interviews with security professionals, school administrators, and an architect

• Done in conjunction with the Neches Independent School District

Background Cont.

• In incidents like Columbine and Jonesboro, what were the primary reasons for loss of life?

• Is it possible to prevent these incidents?

• What changes can be made to school security polices to make them more effective?

Primary Questions

Jonesboro• Johnson and Golden set

off the fire alarm and ambush students attempting to evacuate the building

• Evacuation policies were revised to account for potential false alarm scenarios

• Fire alarms are still the exception due to rapid spreading potential of fire

Columbine• Harris and Klebold enter

Columbine High with weapons and homemade bombs, killing 13 people

• A slow and disorganized lock down process likely caused a majority of the victims to be placed in danger

• As a result lock down drills became required by law for many public schools across the nation

Historical Lessons

Sandy Hook• Adam Lanza breaches the

glass door of Sandy Hook Elementary and kills 26 students and teachers

• The school had advanced security measures in place, and practiced emergency response drills

• What Happened?

Currently

Is Prevention Possible?• Probably not, detecting these attackers early is nearly

impossible• Attackers have no real set profile• Most had no prior medical diagnosis of mental illness• Some attackers made outcries or remarks prior to the

attack, but few were taken seriously and mostly ignored

• Gun policies will likely have little effect• Best option is to have detection capabilities at possible

target location and to deter, respond to and delay the attacker

• Current plans focus on “sheltering in place” for the majority of incidents

• Evacuation is limited to fires, large bomb threats and some chemical spills

• Sheltering in place is ok along as the building design supports the plan

• Sheltering in a glass box makes little sense

• Many school emergency plans are not supported by the building

Current Crisis Management Plans

• Designs that reflect the cultures and traditions of the community

• Designs that discourage bullying

• Designs that allow for easy monitoring

• Features that greet the guests and direct them

• Open and interconnected spaces

• Lots of glass• Actual features that might

enhance security are debated and not in wide use. Many architects fear schools will look too much like a prison

• Green building techniques • Use of natural light • Designs that maintain Air

Quality standards• Designs that maintain a

healthy sound level• Designs that promote

learning through interaction with the environment and building

• Designs that invite the community to come to the school, and project a seamless connection to the surrounding area

Current Design Trends in Schools

Typical Security Features of Schools

Metal D

etecto

rs

Secur

ity Cam

eras

Perim

eter F

ences

Secur

ity Gua

rds

Sign-I

n Poli

cy0%

10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

Urban SuburbanRural

Data from 16,000 Public SchoolsSource: An Examination of Public School Safety Measures Across Geographic Settings by:Andrea J. Shelton, PhDa, Emiel W. Owens, EdDb, Holim Song, EdDc (2009)

• All three categories are overlapping

• Each seeks to ensure the safety and security of those involved

• No single element should be considered independently, but as elements that compliment each other

• When considered as a group an effective security and crisis management plan can be obtained

Architecture, Security, and Crisis Management

Security

Crisis Manageme

nt

Architecture

Architecture

Security Crisis

Management

• Semi-public place• School not a prison• Major budgetary issues• Faces major threats from

both internal and external sources

• Resources are strained in multiple directions

Security Issues Specific to Schools

Neches ISD • Two campuses • One built in the 50’s;

remodeled and added on to in the 60’s and 70’s• Built for openness • Second built in 2010• Built using the latest in

“safe school” designs

Case Study

• Built in the late 50’s, with sections added on in the 60’s and the 70’s

• Campus is very open with lots of exposed glass

• Limited security features• Lock down is slow,

cumbersome, and nearly pointless

• Design severely hinders the ability to implement an effective crisis management policy

• Crisis management policy is not specific to the campus

The High School

Pipeline

Major Railway

Swamp land

Major Highway

Places of Concealment

Evacuation Point

• Built recently• Built with lock down

ability in mind• Has two independent

wings that can be locked down from the rest of the building

• Limited exposed glass (exposed glass is tempered)

The Elementary

• Evacuation presents an issue due to current road design

• Gymnasium is unsecured and difficult to lock down

• Glass is only tempered glass• Doors use standard keyed

locks

Issues With Security

• Design new construction to optimize security and the ability to implement a crisis management policy

• Retro-fit old construction to the district’s greatest ability to achieve the same level of security as new construction

• Use landscaping and fences as needed to define perimeter, and prevent unauthorized access

• Get security professionals involved in the design phase of school construction

How Is Security In Schools Achieved

• Natural Disaster incidents• Many older schools are not

built well enough to protect occupants of the building

• Current designs make them easy targets for would be attackers

• Schools are a valuable resource in many smaller communities• School can play a vital part in

post-disaster recovery because,• Can transport numerous

people• Feed large numbers• House victims and provide

adequate facilities in locations like gyms

• Can also be used as a triage and treatment center in crisis incidents

Why Schools Should Be Built Better

Cost

QualitySize

• Three general factors that are considered during construction and security system installation • Cost• Size• Quality• Only two of three can be

controlled• The third variable is

dependent on the two controlled variables• Size is normally the most

flexible• Number one reason why

security professionals are needed in the design process

General Factors of Consideration

Capacity

Longevity

Price

• The final design should support the plans

• Have allowances in the design and construction for technological upgrades for and advances in security features as they become available

• Changes during the design process are easily made, and cost less than changes made during construction

• A general crisis management and security plan needs to be laid out by security professionals and school administrators before construction and design process starts

Key Points

• There is only one chance to get the design right in most cases

• There is a demand for security-related construction consulting

• There are companies that offer these services, • But few schools can actually

afford both the fees, and the cost to act upon those recommendations

• Get involved however you can• Educating and threat

awareness training for school administrators is critical in achieving better school security

Key Points (Cont.)

• Security and Fire safety are primary design concerns, but security needs to dictate design, not the other way around

• Ratio of glass to other exterior material should be 20 to 30% (Green Building)

• Location of glass is critical• Security film on windows

provides extra protection, and delays entry

• Interior Courtyards can be a secure alternative to open exterior spaces

• Interior sight lines are important in security

New Construction Consideration

• Design must delay attackers and protect occupants until help arrives

• Wire for security and camera systems

• Each class room should be wired for communication to front office

• Pre-wire for a remote connection to the communication, security and cameras systems

• Selected location thoroughly examined for potential threats, access, traffic control, and other factors

• Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)

• Use risk assessment techniques to identify the most likely hazards and natural disasters

• Use effective techniques and materials to make the building survive those identified natural disaster

• Every room does not have to be a safe room, but one should be nearby

• Ingress and egress of vehicle traffic and parking

• Placement of public interest locations (Gyms, Auditoriums, etc.)

• Relocate office/communication center from front of school

• Harden the office/communication center

• Use products and materials that require little maintenance to remain effective

• Locks that can be locked from inside the classroom

• Emergency Utility shut-off

New Construction Considerations (Cont.)

Finally….

Lambka, T. E. (2010). Security Master Planning. Nuclear Power International, 11-14.

Mink, M. D., Moore, C. G., Johnson, A. O., Probst, J. C., & Martin, A. B. (2005). Violence and rural teens:

teen violence, drug use, and school-based prevention services in rural america. Columbia: South

Carolina Rural Health Research Center.

Neches Independent School District. (n.d.). Neches ISD Emergency Operation Plan. Neches , Texas.

Nicogossian, A., Zimmerman, T., Addo-Ayensu, G., Thomas, K., Kreps, G. L., Ebadirad, N., et al. (2011). The

use of U.S. academic institutions in community medical disaster recovery. World Medical & Health

Policy, 3(1).

North Carolina State Board of Education. (1998). Safe Schools Facilities Planner. Raleigh: Division of School

Support and Planning.

Remsberg, C. (n.d.). Mass slaughter in our schools: the terrorists' chilling plan . Retrieved 10 20, 2011, from

Killology Research Group: http://www.killology.com/art_mass_slaughter.htm

Schneider, T., Walker, H., & Sprague, J. (2000). Safe school design: a handbook for educational leaders

applying the principles of crime prevention through enviromental design. Eugene: ERIC

Clearinghouse on Educational Management.

Shelton, A., Owens, E., & Song, H. (2009). An examination of public school safety measures across

geographic settings. Jounral of School Health, 79(1), 24-29.

Sloan, S. (2011, November 07). Sam Houston State University: Crisis Management Class Lecture. Huntsville,

Texas.

Snider, R. (2011, 10 21). (C. Wortham, Interviewer)

Turner, J. (2011, 10 21). (C. Wortham, Interviewer)

Barton, L. (2001). Crisis in organizations II. Mason, Ohio: South-Western.

Bhargava, M., Chen, C., Ryoo, M., & Aggarwal, J. (2007). Detection of abandoned objects in

crowed enviroments. Retrieved March 21, 2012, from the University of Texas:

http://cvrc.ece.utexas.edu/mryoo/paper/AVSS2007_Bhargava.pdf

Center, T. S. (Writer). (2010). When seconds count: school safety for Texas schools [Motion

Picture]. Texas Attorney General's Office.

Cole, R. (1989). Small schools: an international overview. Eric Clearinghouse on Rural

Education and Small Schools.

Crane, S., & Jackson, J. (2010). School design in a flat world: global pedagogy and the built

environment. Design for the New Decade. Helsinki: American Institute of

Architects.

Dillon, D. (2011, 10 26). (C. Wortham, Interviewer)

Fischer, R. J., & Green, G. (2004). Introduction to security (Seveth ed.). Oxford: Elsevier.

Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery. (2009). Guidance notes on safer school

construction. The World Bank.

Grossman, D. (n.d.). School shooting contingency plans and considerations . Retrieved 10 20,

2011, from School Safety Notes Articles:

http://www.killology.com/school_notes_plans.htm

Grossman, D., & Fairburn, R. (2006, December 1). Preparing for school attacks . Retrieved

October 15, 2011, from School Safety Articles:

http://www.killology.com/schoolattack.htm

Sources