the job with the team from HC Quality Doors because their systems work together. They addressed the need for access control within the frame that Lantz’s team designed and built. “For security, we placed a card reader on the frame of the door and an electrified crash bar controlling access to the office and hallway,” Johnson says. “When someone’s badge grants them access, the card reader will retract the motorized exit device and allow the person to pull on the door. Otherwise, it will remain in a locked state.” Johnson noted that the school was not originally aware of the possibility of bullet-resistant glass, but when presented with that option, they saw the value. “Bullet-resistant window technology has improved dramatically over the years, and today you can’t tell the difference,” Lantz says. “We use real glass that remains clear and clean-looking and won’t scratch or spider—as opposed to the polycarbonate material sometimes used in these applications. It’s nice for After successfully working around the existing headers, columns and other infrastructure already in place in the entryway, the professionals from HC Quality Doors and Advantech completed installation of the integrated new security configuration. The project wrapped up during the school’s holiday break in December 2022, just in time to welcome the school community back to a safer, more secure space in January 2023. “The team from Cook & Boardman were very responsive and we were extremely happy with their work,” Pennewell says. “The new system is doing exactly what we intended it to do operationally.” Pennewell adds the team also did a great job matching the new interior structure to the maroon color of the exterior doors, to make it look like it was always there. the school and its occupants.” A WIN-WIN ALL AROUND
“We loved the fact that the structure was made of glass, which gives a better appearance by allowing a lot of natural light and visibility in the hallways, while still being thick enough to ensure our security,” Wisher says. He notes his team’s excitement that a hand-painted sign bearing the school’s name, created by an art teacher for the opening, remains visible through the glass wall. “Our staff, faculty and students were all excited to come back in January and see the brand new system in place,” he says. According to Wisher, the new infrastructure delivers other benefits as well. “For instance, if a bus is running late and there’s inclement weather, we can now have our kids wait in this new controlled area and keep everyone safe in the building,” he says. “And during cold and flu season, this new holding area helps us fast-track students in and out of the building rather than through the office, where they can potentially expose others to illness.” “I was very happy with the way this job turned out,” Lantz says. “In the case of most school shootings, the point of entry for the shooter is the main entrance. The project that Magnolia Middle School undertook to better secure their entryway and help prevent an incident from occurring is a great starting point. We’re proud of our ability to support their objective and hopefully save lives.” Johnson couldn’t agree more. “This is a job we’ve shared with many other schools when they ask about our door and hardware/access control capabilities,” he says. “Schools derive so much security from controlling the flow of traffic within the facility through the combination of door frames, hardware and physical security/access control with card readers onsite.” “School security is more pressing than ever today, and things like secured vestibules, double-sided locks, panic buttons and other measures have been a big focus for us,” Pennewell says. “The ability to provide school communities with peace of mind knowing that
DID YOU KNOW? •
Security.org confirms there were nearly 1,000 gun-related incidents at K-12 schools nationwide between 1999 and 2022. Non-profit organization Everytown for Gun Safety confirms so far this year, there have already been more than 30 incidents of gunfire on U.S. school grounds that have resulted in eight deaths and nearly two dozen injuries. According to a recent study by the Pew Research Center, 57% of teens surveyed reported being either “worried” or “very worried” about the possibility of a shooting happening at their school.
•
•
anyone who enters the building has been vetted represents an invaluable layer of protection that every school wants for their students and faculty.” “We thank the Cook & Boardman team for their excellent, high-quality work and for making this one of the most seamless projects we’ve undertaken at our school,” Wisher says. “All schools need to place importance on safety and security because you just never know,” Wisher concludes. “Thanks to Cook & Boardman, we’re more aware of safety-related protocols, feel more secure that our physical space is better prepared and can now refocus on our main goal of educating our students.” +
DAVE SWEENEY is General Manager at Advantech, a division of The Cook & Boardman company.
DOOR SECURITY + SAFETY MAY 2023
41
Made with FlippingBook Digital Proposal Creator