Enhancing School Security with SITEPROTECT Lockdown Alarms

While potentially violent attacks on schools and colleges are, thankfully, still rare in the UK, it pays to be prepared for such an eventuality. Carl Leeson, Head of Sales for Bull Products, considers steps that can be taken to maximise the safety of pupils and staff in such situations. 

While less frequent as those in the United States, unwelcome intruders in schools and college pose a real threat to students and staff. So, schools must have a procedure in place should dangerous individuals attempt to access the premises.

Over the last few years, there has been a progressive move towards greater preparedness for terrorist and other violent attacks, with initiatives such as the Government's Protect Duty consultation and Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill - which would require those responsible for publicly accessible venues to reduce the threat from terrorist attacks.

More specifically, the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) recommends that every school and college has a method to warn students and staff that a lockdown event has occurred. This could be through a Public Address system announcement, text messages, pop-up messages on computers, or by word-of-mouth. But the most effective way to trigger a lockdown event is to have a dedicated alarm system with a distinct tone, so that all occupants know to follow the school's lockdown procedure as soon as the alarm is sounded.

Take advantage of the school holidays

Some schools may be deterred from fitting a dedicated lockdown alarm due to the disruption and costs of installation. But wireless systems - such as Bull Product's SITEPROTECT lockdown alarm can be installed in a matter of hours or days, and do not involve the disruption to the fabric of the building caused by costly installation of cabling or unsightly trunking. With the half term breaks and the summer holidays approaching, now is the ideal time to consider installation of a wireless lockdown alarm system.

Wireless systems are particularly relevant to schools where asbestos and RAAC would otherwise need to be redisturbed, and to those with historic interiors containing ornate ceilings and plasterwork, wooden panelling, and balustrades. With school budgets often under pressure, it is worth remembering that the speed of installation can man considerable cost savings.

Strengthening school security

The SITEPROTECT lockdown alarm's remote devices can be fitted in each classroom, teaching area, or in appropriate locations throughout a school or college. Each alarm device also has a call point which can be activated by a staff member in any area - just like a fire call point system. Once a lockdown alarm is activated, up to 480 units can sound simultaneously throughout a school or college.

A lockdown alarm control panel is an optional element to notify a responsible person of an active alarm, to quickly identify the location of the activation, and to alert the authorities. The system can be interfaced with a school's PA system using a SITEPROTECT input/output device, and other features such as mobile phone notifications can be added using a SITEPROTECT fire panel and autodialler, which can communicate an emergency to up to 50 users.

While dangerous intruders are still a rare event in schools, a lockdown procedure is vital in case the worst happens. A wireless lockdown alarm such as SITEPROTECT is an ideal response to such threats.