Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies has expanded its lockdown suite with new mechanical, standalone and integrated access control options. As a result, schools can now match a solution to their environment and capability of staff and budget to further improve on their present lockdown procedures.
“Schools want the peace of mind that comes with effectively and efficiently protecting students, staff and property,” said April Dalton-Noblitt, Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies, director-vertical markets. “They need solutions that meet today’s school security needs across a broad range of situations. Effective lockdown solutions need to be fast, simple and, most of all, easy to deploy. Ingersoll Rand offers a range of lockdown solutions that allow schools to deploy the best solution for their specific needs.”
One option is mechanical locks, such as the Schlage L-Series mortise lock. In many schools, mechanical locks can be the foundation of a comprehensive security and lockdown solution. With the Classroom Security function, teachers can manually lockdown a classroom from inside the room using a key without opening the door. When a security indicator is added to the Schlage L-Series mortise lock, the teacher can verify if the door is locked or unlocked at a glance from inside the classroom. With the Schlage ND-Series cylindrical lock, the security indicator provides visual indication on which direction to turn the key to lock the door. Both of these mechanical options are an economical solution but they do require a person going to the door and manually locking the door.
Standalone classroom security locks are a cost-effective way to introduce remote activation to lockdown procedures without the cost and complexity of a network system. The new Schlage CO-220 standalone lock provides instant lockdown from anywhere in the classroom with the simple touch of a button through the use of a remote fob that can be worn around the neck or wrist. When lockdown is initiated, a flashing light provides visual lockdown indication from inside the classroom and reassures the teacher and students that the door is secure. This lock is available with a variety of options to meet the specific needs of a school or district. Multiple reader types are available that enable users to assign PIN numbers, magnetic stripe or proximity cards instead of keys for access.
For small campuses, the CO-220 lock can be manually programmed and lets administrators add or delete users at the lock. For larger campuses users can utilise offline access control software which provides the ability to manage a database of access users, set auto lock and unlock schedules, and capture audit trails from the lock.
A third option for achieving lockdown is networked locking systems. Schlage’s AD-Series networked wireless locks deliver the fastest lockdown solutions by enabling real-time lockdown from a centralised access control system. AD-400 wireless locks can be installed in existing construction with minimal disruption and eliminates the need to run wire to each and every opening.
The ability for people to exit quickly and easily is just as important to a lockdown situation as keeping unwanted intruders out. To ensure safety, all classroom security functions on locks allow for free egress from the classroom and are designed to prevent the risk of lock out by teachers and security personnel. In addition, the above mentioned Schlage locks as well as Von Duprin exit devices offer visual status indicators that allow users to verify if a door is locked or unlocked from inside the classroom. This is critical in an emergency and provides teachers, staff and students with the needed assurance that doors are locked and the room is secure.
This complete portfolio of products designed specifically for the education market, from mechanical locks and exit devices with classroom security visual indicators to in-classroom lockdown fobs to networked locks with real-time centralised lockdown, all play a critical role in a school’s comprehensive multi-layered security plan.
“In addition to product solutions, Ingersoll Rand provides resources to schools that help identify grants for security funding, site survey tools to help assess vulnerabilities and specification resources to help select the right products for the right application,” adds Dalton-Noblitt. “Our team can help administrators evaluate their needs not only within a specific building but also across a district or campus to ensure that their school gets a solution that meets their needs today and in the future.”
