Classroom Barricade DevicesLori Greene

AHC/CDC, CCPR, FDHI, FDAI, CFPEManager - Codes & Resources, AllegionTechnical Consultant, Door Security &

Safety Foundation

Myth: The benefits of barricade devices outweigh the risks.

Myth: Emergency responders can easily defeat a barricade device.

Myth: Some agencies recommend barricading with furniture; barricade devices are a better option.

Myth: School shootings are very common and should be the main security concern for schools.

Cummings Middle School – 1 injuryNorth Forest High School – 1 injuryEpiscopal School of Jacksonville – 2 deathsChardon High School – 3 deaths, 3 injuriesPerry Hall High School – 1 injuryNormal Community High School – no deaths or injuriesSandy Hook Elementary School – 26 deaths, 2 injuries2

01

2

Myth: School shootings are very common and should be the main security concern for schools.

National Center for Education Statistics:“In 2012, students ages 12–18 were victims of about 1,364,900 nonfatal victimizations at school, including 615,600 thefts and 749,200 violent victimizations, 89,000 of which were serious violent victimizations.”2

01

2

Myth: The risk of fire during an active shooter situation is low, so code requirements are not a priority.

Current model code requirements include:• Single operation to unlatch the door• No key, tool, special knowledge or effort• No tight grasping, tight pinching, or twisting• Hardware mounted between 34 inches and 48 inches

above the floor (except locks used only for security purposes)• Fire doors must have positive-latching hardware, and

hardware for fire doors must be listed for this use

Myth: Lots of other states are allowing classroom barricade devices.

Minnesota Rationale:“Classroom security concerns during a lockdown emergency are well understood, and fortunately this problem is easily addressed via the use of code-compliant egress/security hardware. Proper door hardware eliminates the need for security and barricade devices while maintaining free egress.”

Myth: Fire marshals do not have authority over barricade devices that are not permanently attached to doors.

Myth: Locksets do not provide enough protection against active shooters.

Final Report of the Sandy Hook Advisory Commission:“The testimony and other evidence presented to the Commission reveals that there has never been an event in which an active shooter breached a locked classroom door.”

For more information, visit

doorsecuritysafety.org, firemarshals.org, or

iDigHardware.com/schools