Security 101
For School Safety
Intertech Associates, Inc .
Lunch & Learn
Safe & Secure Educational Environment
What type of school is it?
What type of security risks do schools see?
How can traffic flows, environmental
conditions, design elements impact security?
Key Findings of National Crime Statistics Report
Types of Incidents in Schools (2005):
z
Violent Deaths
•
21 Homicides
•
7 Suicides
z
Non-fatal Student Victimization (fights, rapes etc.)
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Shows an overall decrease in crimes from previous years
z
Threats & Attacks on Teachers
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Urban Teachers – 10%
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Urban Fringe – 6%
•
Rural – 5%
z
Fights, Weapons & Illegal Substances
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Fights anywhere – 36%
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On school grounds – 14%
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Bullying (based upon reports made by students)
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43% - most prevalent in Middle Schools
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26 % - Elementary Schools
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25% - High Schools
National Response:
z To identify, limit or control access of people to schools (campuses)
z Monitor or restrict in-building or on-campus behaviors
z Use of various technologies and tactics
“…it is unknown what impact these practices have had on the rate of crime…”
Between 1999-2004:
•14% of Primary Schools
• 20% of Middle Schools
• 39% of Secondary Schools
..Used one or more security cameras to monitor their schools…
So what is an Architect to do?
Architects typically focus on…
z Aesthetics
z Productivity
z Function
z Secure/safety
z Sustainability
But need to incorporate…
z
Areas of special attention
• Lobby: needs to provide ascetics, productivity, function, secure/safety, sustainability
• Entry/Egress
• Multipurpose Spaces: Gymnasiums, Cafeteria etc.)
• Community/Public Access
z
Identify Districts Risk Factors
• Urban/Suburban/Rural
• Bullying and Gangs
• Domestic problems and vandalism
z
Determine Campus/Building Environment
• Elementary, Middle, High School
• Demographics
• Community Concerns
Programming Considerations
• Considerations for K-12 Design
¾ Schools within Schools
¾ Plan for specific spaces
¾ Develop exploratory areas
¾ Create inspirational spaces
¾ Support mind, body and spirit
¾ Make a connection (through teachers and technology)
¾ Build for the community
Example Plans
The following diagram is representative of typical tenant plans.
Parking Facility Safety
Worst nightmare: student abducted from parking lot
Passive Security to improve safety:
¾ Sufficient lighting
¾ Appropriate spacing of light
¾ Landscaping
¾ Sealing off “cut-away” areas behind stairways
Active Security to improve safety:
¾ Closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems
¾ Voice-activated security systems (VASS)
¾ Security “blue phone” or “Panic button”
¾ Security patrols
Source: American School & University, “A Lot of Planning,” May 2004
NJ School Construction Design Guidelines: Homeland Security Standards
Site Layout: Parking/Traffic Control
z Traffic control, remote controlled gates, anti-ram hydraulic drop arms, and
hydraulic barriers, parking
z Forced-Entry-Ballistic Resistant (FE-BR) doors and windows
z Personnel identification systems (Access control, fingerprints, biometrics, ID cards)
Building Layout
z Interior offices should not be visible from the street
z Isolate, alarm and secure utility and switch
NJ School Construction Design Guidelines: Homeland Security Standards
Exterior and Facility Lighting
z
Ensure potential problem areas are well-lit:
pathways, stairs, entrances/exits, parking areas, bus stops, children's play areas, recreation areas, pools, dumpster and recycling areas, etc.
z
Avoid security lighting that creates blinding glare and/or deep shadows, hindering the view for potential observers.
z
Use shielded or cut-off luminaires to control glare.
z
Place lighting along pathways and other
pedestrian-use areas at proper heights for
lighting faces
NJ School Construction Design Guidelines: Homeland Security Standards
Perimeter Security & Control:
Fences, bollards, anti-ram barriers
z
Perimeter intrusion detection systems
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Clear zone
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Video and CCTV
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Alarms
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Detection devices (motion, acoustic, infrared)
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Use natural barriers to complement technology and traffic flow
z
Natural access control is used to complement
mechanical and operational access control
measures, such as target hardening.
NJ School Construction Design Guidelines: Homeland Security Standards
Entry/Exit
z
Use a single, clearly identifiable, point of entry
z
Use structures to divert persons to reception areas
z
Eliminate design features that provide access to roofs or upper levels
z
OR if required as part of the design, doors and hatches must be alarmed to roof top locations
z
Main entrances and lobbies, corridors
and stairwells should be covered with
video surveillance
NJ School Construction Design Guidelines: Homeland Security Standards
Emergency Communications/Emergency Controls
z
Public Address, telephone and alarm systems will require redundant power and service
z
Video surveillance system to connect to local police upon request
z
Stand-by power for critical building functions must have capacity for up to 36 hours
z
Emergency control center designed: to incorporate all building utilities,
communications, power, HVAC and alarms; it
must not be visible from the lobby or street
NJ School Construction Design Guidelines: Homeland Security Standards
Other Considerations: HVAC, Fire Protection & Elevators
z
Access to air intakes must be restricted; roof top intakes must be screened
z
Mechanical rooms with HVAC equipment should be alarmed
z
Fire protection system should be connected to the emergency power supply and should be locked and alarmed
z
Elevators should be electronically controlled or key activated
For New Jersey School Security Guidelines:
http://www.state.nj.us/njded/schools/security/
Integrated Security Systems - Hi-Tech Solutions
Biometrics/ Smart Card Technology
z
An identity management system with multiple credentials on one platform
z
A flexible solution with core
components & optional elements
z
A central management platform, distributed issuance with option to share databases.
z
