Technology contributes to holistic security approach at primary/secondary schools

Honeywell recently helped the Penns Valley Area School district in Pennsylvania design and implement a custom security system

Security systems are just part of the solution to protecting primary/secondary schools. Technology can contribute to a broader, holistic approach to security that is customised to meet the needs of each educational institution.

Honeywell has helped many schools customise security systems to meet each school’s unique needs, says Bruce Montgomery, Business Development Manager, Honeywell. “We take a holistic approach to identifying key areas for improvement when designing a system that meets both stringent security requirements and stays within oftentimes lean budgets”, Montgomery says.

Honeywell recently helped the Penns Valley Area School district in Pennsylvania design and implement a custom security system that enables school district staff and teachers to leverage technology to protect students in the event of an active shooter on school grounds. The installation added more than 200 IP surveillance cameras spanning five campus buildings, integrated new cameras with existing analogue cameras through one video management system, and added an access control system requiring keycard authorisation at building entry points. Now, each time a card is swiped at a keypad, a camera monitoring the corresponding doorway is triggered to record activity at the entry point. The installation arms Penns Valley staff with a broad technology toolkit to leverage in the event an intruder is on campus. The scalable nature of the technology chosen for the installation is ideal for the growing district, for future enhancements.

Expanding beyond CCTV at a Manhattan School

Idesco is a security integrator company that currently services and supports many primary/secondary schools in the Tri-State area (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut), including a major school on the east side of Manhattan that has a fully integrated solution. The end user at the Manhattan school started with an upgrade to their CCTV system, and this transitioned into upgrading their access control solution. Idesco provided S2 Security access control with an ExacqVision network video recorder (NVR). When the customer saw the power of the product, they were able also to implement a shutdown solution with panic buttons located throughout the facility. In case of an emergency, the system will respond based on a series of actions, from doors being locked, to text messages and emails being sent out. Idesco has also worked with the school and a third party solutions provider named Steward to integrate the school-based system that has information on active students, parents, caregivers, faculty and staff. The facility is really taking advantage of all the options that a solution can provide.

Idesco’s portfolio of security products includes access control, video surveillance, ID badging, biometrics, turnstiles and other visitor management systems. Idesco has been keeping primary/secondary schools safe and secure for more than 70 years, including full customer service and support to keep security systems up and running at all times.

Palestine high school embraces IP access control

In partnership with KLC Video Security, Palestine Independent School District (ISD) in Palestine, Texas, installed Isonas Pure IP Access Control at Palestine High School. The Pure IP technology is what attracted the end user first. The ability to have the access control system based on the network with an open platform allows the customer to solve all security needs for the six separate campuses and 3,300 students at Palestine ISD. The ability to program the system centrally from one location provides the flexibility to manage the full district. Cost savings and flexibility are other benefits. Due to the IP structure and the need for only Ethernet cabling, the superintendent was able to protect nearly 30 percent more doors than originally budgeted. Palestine ISD integrated the Telecenter U public address (PA) system with Isonas’ Crystal Matrix Software. The integration allows an immediate lockdown at the push of a button, for the entire district or an individual campus, along with pre-recorded announcements via the PA system. From the Isonas software, this lockdown function also triggers a text message and email to local law enforcement; they are alerted of the lockdown and can take action.

Centralised access control with instant lockdown

The Aransas County Independent School District (ISD) in Texas recently constructed a new school and refurbished an existing facility and selected complete opening solutions from ASSA ABLOY to boost safety and security, increase convenience and enhance operational efficiency. The district wanted all classrooms and administrative offices equipped with keyless locks that would easily integrate into a centralised access control system provided by software partner, RS2 Technologies. This need was met with Sargent Harmony Integrated Wiegand locksets that were readily compatible with the RS2 system.

The compatibility feature appealed to the school district. One of their main objectives was to incorporate classroom and entranceway doors into a centralised access control system to allow instant lockdown capabilities. The harmony locks facilitate lockdowns by connecting directly into the RS2 security system. School administrators also carry a card (red card) that can be presented to any card reader throughout the building. When swiped, it enables a school lockdown. A second card (green card) can be swiped to return all interior locks to the unlock mode.

Perimeter doors are secured with Sargent 80 Series exit devices that feature built-in electric latch retraction. Visitors can enter the building only after being buzzed in by staff in the main office. In addition to the open architecture platform, Harmony locks combine all standard access control components – card reader (supports HID 125 kHz Prox or 13.56 MHz iCLASS credentials), door position switch, and request-to-exit sensor – into a single device. So, instead of installing numerous discrete components around the door opening, they are all incorporated into the Harmony lockset. This integrated approach significantly reduces installation time and creates a streamlined aesthetic that blends flawlessly into any environment. Installation of the locksets was further simplified by the use of ElectroLynx quick-connect hinges from McKinney and Securitron power supplies.