Door Locking Options in Schools

From a security perspective, the most important function of a door is to control entry. Entry control involves the configuration, strength, durability, and composition of the door, its hinges and its frame, and the control and effectiveness of its latching and locking hardware. From the standpoint of fire safety, however, a door’s exit function is the ruling factor, one that is highly regulated by building and fire codes that classify doors as part of a building’s means of egress.

This article analyzes doors as a means of egress in terms of building codes and the law, exterior doors, classroom doors, and contains a summary and chart of locking and security strategies for each.