Many access control products available on a variety of local, state, and national cooperative contracts can qualify for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) and Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) funds under:

• “Repairing and improving school facilities to reduce the risk of virus transmission and exposure to environmental health hazards” (ESSER)
• “Physical barriers to facilitate social distancing” (GEER)

Pandemic restrictions may be easing, but the desire to keep K-12 students, staff, and campus visitors safe and secure remains a top priority. dormakaba, a global leader in access control solutions, can design modern access solutions to make the physical structure of K-12 school buildings and campuses healthier and more secure without disrupting learning. The first step is a full site survey. A professional assessment conducted by an access solutions expert and school officials will help identify a scalable upgrade plan with immediate opportunities, low-hanging fruit, and investment-level options.

 These holistic plans help schools think forward by matching specific access control solutions to longer-term K-12 school goals and budgets. They are one part of the extensive school safety and security approach recommended by the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS). This approach includes seven components: policies and procedures, people (roles and training) architectural, access control, communication, video surveillance, and detection and alarms.

 The Access Control Checklist (adapted from PASS checklist)

Step 1: Questions K-12 Schools Need to Ask

1. What plans exist for locking down a campus in the event of an emergency?
2. Where are the gaps in the video system?
3. What are the biggest challenges you need to address now?
4. Generally, how do you think your buildings operate as a whole in the day-to-day K-12 environment from a security standpoint? What about from a hygiene perspective?

Step 2: A Topline Review

1. How are you addressing hygiene needs at high traffic access points such as perimeter doors, public restroom doors, and main entries?
2. Does your system support touch-free entry?
3. Does your system support access keys or credentials for command staff/responders for emergency entry? Do all possess needed credentials and/or keys?
4. Is your access control system equipped with remote door release capability?
5. Is an override process in place where electronic access control is used?
6. Are card-based and/or biometric-based check in systems needed? If in place, how are they working?

Step 3: A Visual Walk-Through

1. Note high touch access areas for conversion to barrier-free touchless technologies to reduce the spread of germs.
   1. On which doors can you reduce hand-to-door contact?
   2. Where can touchless switches be added?
   3. Where can touchless actuators be installed?
   4. Which washrooms include barrier-free controllers?
   5. Does door hardware include antimicrobial finishes?
2. Identify dead spots on video surveillance where normal traffic flow doesn’t happen.
   1. What is the status of door monitoring?
   2. Are there access points where someone could come in or exit?
   3. What kind of access control is currently in place?
   4. Is an alarm needed?
   5. Does this location require open or limited access?
3. Evaluate pinch points where better supervision and/or control may be needed.
   1. Are outside cameras providing enough coverage?
   2. Are manual or electronic gates needed to restrict access?
   3. Are barrier gates integrated with access control systems?
   4. How are exterior doors secured (locks or exit device)?
   5. What is the key management system? Is it restricted?
   6. What is the electronic access control of primary entrances?

The access control assessment will include status for both specific requirements and identified needs. Typical status notes will document whether the access control line item has been achieved, is in progress, has been identified as a future need or is not required. In addition, notes will include specific visual information, such as sagging doors and functional use for access control products (e.g., exterior door, storage, classroom, data cabinet, etc.).

Access control professionals will use the audit document to work with K-12 school officials and develop a comprehensive access control recommendation that is scalable based on school operations logistics and budget. They can also help school officials match access control solutions to available contract vehicles and ESSER and GEER fund requirements.

For more information, visit dormakaba.com.

To schedule a K-12 campus assessment, visit amer.dormakaba.com/k12funding/.

To view all dormakaba press releases, visit dormakabaamernews.com.

About dormakaba

dormakaba is one of the top three companies in the global market for access and security solutions. With strong brands such as Dorma and Kaba in our portfolio, we are a single source for products, solutions, and services related to doors and secure access to buildings and rooms.  With around 16,000 employees and numerous cooperation partners, we are active in over 130 countries. dormakaba is headquartered in Rümlang (Zurich/Switzerland) and generates an annual turnover of over CHF 2 billion.

SIX Swiss Exchange: DOKA (formerly: KABN / KABNE) Further information at dormakaba.us.

CONTACT:
dormakaba
Phone: +1.317.806.3676
Email: pr.amer@dormakaba.com
www.dormakaba.us