If you’re part of the American education system, then you are familiar with the ongoing conversation about classroom door locks. Should they exist, and if so, what are the requirements for locks on classroom doors?

In general, locks should be durable, secure, convenient, and ensure simple user functionality. Does that same rule apply in schools and universities?

If you’re wondering if your school should implement or refine your classroom door lock policies, read on.

Why Classroom Doors Need Locks

Many public buildings are federally regulated, which is why the argument about classroom locks has been so extensive. Classroom locks add an extra barrier of protection for each individual classroom, and they are still necessary even if you have reliable building locks on all of the main exits.

If unregulated personnel is in the building, classroom locks should be automatically locked from the outside or easily locked from the inside upon school-wide notification.

Considering the current concerns with school safety, locks can be life-saving for students and staff. While most people will agree that locks are effective, there are some requirements to keep in mind. It’s just as important that individuals can unlock the door and get outside efficiently in the case of a fire or natural disaster.

The Most Important Classroom Lock Requirements

In the past, classroom locks required someone to lock the door from the outside. This adds an extra step that puts everyone at risk in the case of an active emergency. An en

As today’s youth gears up to go back to class, school safety is weighing heavy on everyone’s minds. It’s more important than ever to take steps to create a secure educational environment for students.

Considering recent events, many school officials and educators are also sparking conversations about increasing safety protocols at institutions across the nation.

Keep reading to learn our five tips to enhance your school’s safety.

1. Classroom Door Locks

High-quality classroom door locks should be a top priority for every classroom. Classroom door locks can wear out over time, so it’s essential to perform routine maintenance and replacement every couple of years. The best classroom door locks will have a fast deployment speed, superior security from the exterior, and minimal visibility when the door is locked.

2. Surveillance Equipment

Surveillance Equipment should be utilized around campus, main buildings, parking lots, and high-traffic entryways. Real-time surveillance footage helps school officials keep track of people on campus and take notice of any suspicious behaviors. Plus, if the unthinkable happens, recorded video footage can give authorities an up-close look at what happened.

3. Visitor Guidelines

Every school should have an outlined set of visitor guidelines that determines who is allowed on campus, who can check students out of school, and what hours visitors can be on the property. Monitoring visitors is a non-negotiable step for minimizing crime and potential problems from occurring on campus.

4. Regularly Update School Safety Plans

School safety requirements are constantly evolving, which means every school should periodically review and update school safety plans. Perform quarterly updates of your s

Schools are created to be safe environments for learning and education, although the risk of danger still weighs heavy on many people's hearts. Whether you are a K-12 or university-level institution, superior emergency safety solutions can be a life-changing addition to keeping everyone safe on campus.

In this article, we will break down our three must-know solutions to school emergency safety you may want to consider.

Smart Door Locks and Access Control Settings

Technology continues to evolve, giving school systems added leverage in the safety department. Monitoring campus with access control technology helps prevent potential crime or unwelcome guests from coming on the property. This is beneficial during and after business hours.

Additionally, smart door locks are on the rise for many public schools because it allows authorized personnel to lock down the entire campus or certain high-risk areas in the case of an emergency.

In a real-life situation, every second counts. Classroom and building door locks that can be deployed quickly by specialty personnel are an ideal way to keep everyone safe.

School Security and Alarm Systems

Similar to how a homeowner would protect their house, schools can benefit significantly from school security and alarm systems. Security systems can be set up across campus or in high-risk areas that will signal a break-in if unregulated individuals enter the area.

Furthermore, alarm systems protect everyone from fires, property damage, violence, and natural disasters. According to building code requirements, all schools are mandated to have fire alarms present. However, as mentioned above, it’s just as important to leverage advanced technology that protects your staff and students f

Vacation should be a stress-free time when you get to relax and unwind. Prioritize your peace of mind by ensuring your home is safe while you’re on vacation. You can take some steps to deter crime and protect your belongings in case of security breaches. Here are five tips to keep your home safe while on vacation.

#1. Keep Valuables in a Safe

Every home should have a safe where you can store your important belongings. When you’re away, place everything of worth inside the safe. Keep it hidden within your home, and make sure to keep the lock combination confidential.

#2. Secure the Outside of Your Property

The outside of your property is the first thing criminals will take notice of before deciding to enter. Keep outside lights turned on, or consider installing motion sensor lights. Keep your landscape manicured before you leave to signal residence. Close the garage door and add extra locks internally to prevent a criminal breach. If you have a large fence, consider adding a lock to the gate to deter prowlers.

#3. Don’t Forget Your Extra Key

Some homeowners keep an extra key stored outside for guests or in case they forget their home key. Make sure to remove all outdoor keys you may have for entering your home. If you usually leave certain windows unlocked, make sure to go through and lock them before departing.

#4. Turn Off Your Garage Door

Disconnecting electricity from your garage door can ensure criminals can’t enter with a universal remote. If you usually enter and exit through your garage, consider leaving through the front door. Ensure that any access within the garage is locked and protected. Don’t keep valuables in your garage while you’re away.

#5

Learn the difference between spring and hydraulic door closers and operators.

Every swing door features hardware that allows it to open and close. There are a few distinct hardware types to choose from that will make a difference in your door’s function and durability.

You can choose a device that assists in closing the door when it is opened (aka closers) or a device that both closes and opens the door (aka operators).

Let’s dive into the difference between closers and operators, exploring the distinctions within each.

Swing Door Closers

Typical free-swing door closers are used to control the swing of a door and, ultimately, make a building more fire safe. They ease access in commercial spaces with heavy traffic, such as hotels, schools, offices, etc.

You can find two primary types of door closers: hydraulic and spring-loaded. Each type contains unique internal mechanisms that provide force to close the free-swing door.

Hydraulic

Hydraulic free-swing door closers are the beefier among the two types, as they are often used in commercial settings. A typical hydraulic door mechanism looks like this: a spring sits in an enclosed tube, providing the closing force, while a fluid-filled cylinder regulates the door’s closing speed.

You would typically mount this type of closer near the top inside face of the free-swing door. A hinged arm connects the hydraulic and spring components to the door’s frame.

Spring

Spring closers are the most basic type. They use a spring to pull the door into its closed position. You have likely seen these on residential screen doors as they are the most common for homes.

The spring connects the head of the

Are you looking to upgrade a door on your home or commercial building? There's a debate between solid core doors vs hollow core doors. We're here to answer your questions and discuss the difference between solid core doors and hollow core doors.

What Is the Difference Between Solid Core Doors and Hollow Core Doors?

The difference between solid core doors and hollow core doors involves how much material is used to build the door. As the name suggests, a hollow core has an empty middle. A veneer is fixed to a wooden frame.

On the other hand, a solid core door fills in the frame with wood beneath the veneer. This makes it stronger, heavier, and more soundproof compared to hollow core doors.

How Can You Tell If You Have a Hollow Core Or Solid Core Door?

It’s hard to tell if you have a hollow core or solid core door just by looking at it. But there is an easy way to find out. All you have to do is give the door a good knock. If you knock and hear an echo, then you have a hollow core door.

You have a solid core door if you knock and hear a thudding sound. Try feeling the weight of your doors as well, comparing them. The heavier the door, the more solid its construction.

Which Door Is More Secure- Solid or Hollow Core?

Naturally, solid core doors are more secure than hollow core doors. They provide more security as their construction is sturdier and heavier.

If a hollow core door were to get kicked in, it probably wouldn’t stand up to the force. A solid core door assists your door locks by standing up to more force. So, the likelihood of the solid door failing in an attempted break-in is low.

Are Solid Core or Hollow Core Doors More Expensive?

Solid core doors are more expensive than hollow core doors. This is because they use more materials and are heavier than the latter. More materials mean higher production cos

Your building has a door that isn’t looking as good as it once was. You’re probably asking, “Should I repair or replace my commercial door?” No matter what, your office or commercial building should have functional doors that add to the quality of your business.

Types of Commercial Doors

First, let’s consider what type of commercial doors you have. It's important to know what kind of door you have because it can affect whether you should repair or replace the door.

The most common types of commercial doors include:

• Steel and Metal Doors
• Aluminum Doors
• Herculite and Glass Doors
• Storefront Doors
• Fire-rated Doors

After you've become aware of the type of material it is made of, you can then analyze the door’s issues and potential fixes.

Signs You Should Repair Your Commercial Door

So, should you repair your commercial door? A few common signs indicate that repair might be necessary:

• Alignment Issues
• Bent Frames
• Corrosion
• Door Warping

Alignment problems come from consistent misuse and can cause the door to drag against the frame or floor. This is more of an annoyance than a security issue. However, a bent frame is definitely a security issue and should be repaired immediately.

Corrosion occurs because of exposure to extreme weather conditions, humidity, salinity, and the like. Depending on the type of door you have, corrosion could be a bigger or less serious issue.

Door warping is less common with commercial doors. But that doesn’t mean it cannot happen on well-aged metal doors. A warped wooden frame is more common.
All of these issues can potentially cause frustration and reflect poor quality. As a business, you don’t want that. So, take it as a sign you should repair your commercial door. Sometimes a simple door alignment, sealing, or hardware replacement can

Most people never think about door lock maintenance. Unless you're a locksmith or commercial builder, it is one of those "out of sight, out of mind" parts of life. Maintaining door locks is important for your security.  

But where do you begin? Is there more to know about door lock maintenance than simply cleaning them?

Frequently Asked Questions About Door Lock Maintenance

Let’s answer a few frequently asked questions about maintaining your door locks.

Why Do Locks Break?

Your business entry doors should be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. So, ensure you check both marks by maintaining your commercial doors for longevity. Secure commercial doors are an essential investment. 

Customers want to feel confident in your business and feel safe being in the building. Plus, well-maintained commercial doors safeguard against break-ins.

5 Tips for Maintaining Your Commercial Doors

If you want to ensure your commercial doors last as long as possible, then follow these easy tips for commercial door maintenance. These simple practices will go a long way for your door’s longevity. 

Keep the Door Area Clear 

We recommend keeping your door area clear from potential hazards. By "door area," we mean the space the door swings into when opened or closed. If the door repeatedly hits an object or decoration, it’s a hazard for the door and the person using it. 

Install Commercial Door Bumpers 

Have you heard of commercial door bumpers? These handle additions will lengthen the lifespan

Each door in a hospital or healthcare facility serves a unique function for safety and ease of use. So, it’s no wonder why hospital door hardware requirements are in place. To comply with ADA standards or iHFG guidelines, various areas of a healthcare facility WILL require very specific parts to be installed. 

Take, for instance, a patient's bathroom compared to staff restrooms. The doors must open out into the room in patient restrooms instead of swinging inward into the bathroom. 

This hospital door hardware standard is in place in case of an emergency patient rescue situation. However, staff restrooms do not have to follow those requirements. 

This is just one prime example of why it’s critical to identify doors in healthcare facilities by their function and purpose. 

Safety Practices for Hospital Door Hardware 

Safety