The risk of an active shooter situation in a commercial or institutional facility has become all too real. The rise of violence has led many facility managers to take a closer look measures that they once might have considered non-traditional. One high school in New Jersey has implemented such a security measure.
Salem County Vocational-Technical High School in Woodstown will use decommissioned fire hoses as an added layer of security during emergencies, such as active shooter situations.
How does it work? A section of recycled hose is placed over the hydraulic door operator at the top of the classroom doors and keeps the door shut, preventing the intruder from entering the room, according to an article on NJ.com.
"It's a device that can be used very easily by any teacher or staff member of the schools," says Chuck Miller, Salem County Sheriff. "It can be slipped over on top of the hydraulic hinge device on all the doors that have them. It's a layer of protection that we in law enforcement feel it will be necessary for help protecting our kids."
In addition, the security measure will cost the schools nothing.
Salem Superintendent John Swain said every school in the county is continually thinking about additional safety and security measures. Beyond providing students with an education, ensuring the safety and security of students, staff, and parents that come to the buildings is vital, he says.
The high school will be the first to use the sleeves and have them immediately available. Miller said more sleeves should be set up in other schools around the county by the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year.
This Quick Read was submitted by Ryan Berlin, managing editor of Facility Maintenance Decisions.
