Following the Dunblane tragedy restrictions to entry in many primary schools was achieved by magnetic locks preventing all the exit doors being opened from the outside, with staff accessible manual overides in place for routine comings and goings. Timed 'off times' accounted for morning breaks and lunchtimes with the fire warning system being the ultimate override.
The knock on effect of this provision was to restrict pupil movement out of the building and this was perceived as an unintended bonus. Thus external security provided internal security by default. When closed, these doors are protected metal roller shutter doors to prevent access.
The F&RS were informed of the provisions and the operational processes and procedures and the schools all adopted the same outcomes.
Security controls on fire exits is a very common need and we, the advisors on the topic, need to recognise everyone's concerns and provide a practical solution. We need rapid and easy egress through the exit doors, when we need to evacuate from a fire. Until we need to evacuate from a fire those doors can be controlled to prevent use. It's these preventative control measures which (rightly) trouble us.
