Schools, Colleges and Universities

Schools and colleges need to create an environment where students, staff and teachers feel safe and secure. Controlling access to areas within the school or college campus will help achieve this. However access control should extend further than just restricting entry on the main school door, it should encompass all the vulnerable areas inside and outside the buildings. Protection needs to be given to rooms where valuable school property is sited or where materials, that could prove dangerous if in the wrong hands, are kept. Offices containing personal and confidential information should not be left open and students and teachers should have somewhere safe for their belongings when they are in class. A physical barrier should act as a deterrent and help create a safer environment for all.

Making the most of school budgets

One solution would be to install a sophisticated wired, electronic access control system that integrates all areas of the school or college campus. This could be expensive and require a very complex installation process. This type of system is also relatively inflexible. Installing new wiring will be disruptive and costly if additional areas need access control in the future. With capital equipment budgets in schools and colleges under constant scrutiny, then this option is probably not feasible for many, especially in smaller establishments.

Installing a standalone push button door lock is another alternative. This option offers a quick and cost-effective solution for schools and colleges that need the flexibility of installing door locks one at a time. With digital door locks, number codes can be changed very easily and don’t require any special expertise. Regular code changes can form part of a routine security measure or when it is felt that the codes have been compromised. Push-button locks also negate the need for any cards or keys. Key management can be a major concern and incur cost for colleges due the high numbers that get lost or stolen.

Applications for push-button door and cabinet locks

There are many areas within a school or college campus that can be given access protection. Push-button door locks can be useful in the following areas: 

• Main external doors
• Classrooms
• Science labs
• Sports hall, gym and changing rooms
• IT and server rooms
• Head teacher’s office
• Staff room
• Administration office
• Caretaker’s or cleaner’s cupboard
• Stationery store cupboard
• Medical room
• Outdoor sheds
• Kitchen/canteen areas
• Workshops

Push-button cabinet locks can easily be fitted in place of existing key cam locks that are supplied as standard on a wide range of lockers and cabinets. Applications for cabinet locks in schools and colleges include:

• Staff and pupil lockers
• Medical cabinets
• Office filing cabinets
• Hazardous chemical cabinets

Tips for choosing the right lock

There are many different types of push-button door locks available. How do you know which lock is best for which application? Before purchasing a lock it is worthwhile examining where and how it will be used and what features it should have. The following questions have been compiled to help make the selection process easier. 

1. Decide on the volume of traffic. Is it high or low volume? This is particularly important in colleges where high levels of traffic flow in and out at all times of the day.
2. Is the lock for an internal or external door?
3. Is a knob handle or a lever handle lock preferred?
4. Is a lock that has the push button digits on both sides of the door required? This is called a ‘back-to-back’ facility.
5. Is a ‘hold open’ facility required? This allows the lock to remain open for free entry without operating the code.
6. Choose the finish: stainless steel or polished brass.
7. How often should the code be changed? If the code must be changed on a regular basis then an electronic digital lock may be more suitable as the code changing process is quick and easy.