Unlike locks and door hardware, there are no hard and fast standards for building openings. As a result, several security organizations have formed a task force to make recommendations, based on a risk matrix that weighs probability and consequences. These apply to both commercial and school and university buildings and are supported by the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS).
“When associating security levels, consider the probability of risk. When assessing the risk of adversarial behavior at an exterior or interior perimeter opening, it is helpful to be able to quantify the risk by considering both the probability of this event occurring and the potential consequences. This assessment will guide users to the most appropriate mitigation recommendations listed below,” the report states.
3 Levels of Secure Openings
Level 1: Basic. Openings are flush and may or may not have a visible glass area within the door. They are securely latched, locked, and have some form of controlled or monitored access, either mechanical or electronic. When monitoring is used, monitoring should cover the door position within the opening and the latch position.
Level 2: Intermediate. Openings are flush or have a visible glass area within the door. They are securely latched, locked, and have some form of electronic access control and monitored access. At a minimum, monitoring will cover door position within the opening and latch position.
Level 3: High. Openings are flush or have a visible glass area within the door. They are securely latched, locked, and swing out. The doors are made of UL-rated construction for bullet resistance with appropriate core material and glazing, if applicable. They have some form of electronic access control and monitored access. At a minimum, monitoring must cover the door position and latch position.
Perimeter Security
The following recommendations can be used in conjunction with some form of controlled access or camera systems already in place.
Primary Entrance Openings. The main ingress and egress points of a structure are the areas around its perimeter where visitors enter and exit the building. It is recommended that access through these points be controlled and monitored.
Secondary Openings. Perimeter openings are defined as additional entrance options around the perimeter of a structure that serve as ingress and egress points for traffic into and out of a building for special circumstances or events. During normal operations, these openings serve as emergency egress locations and should never be automatically unlocked on a timed schedule. Optional monitoring of door and latch positions may be included.
Tertiary Openings. The purpose of these openings is to provide egress out of a structure only. They are not intended to be used as an access point into the building. Additionally, the hardware will not include a means of opening the door from the outside, unless required by code officials or the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). It is recommended that these doors and areas beside the door openings do not contain glass or glazing
Interior Openings
Basic level. The opening is flush and may or may not have a visible glass area within the door. It is latched by means of mechanical hardware. Monitoring of the door position and latch position is not required, but it is recommended.
Intermediate level. The opening is flush and may or may not have a visible glass area within the door. It is latched and includes an electronic access controlled latching device with remote locking capability. Monitoring of the door position and latch position is not required, but it is strongly recommended.
High level. The opening is flush and may or may not have a visible glass area within the door. It is latched and includes a networked online access control system with remote locking capability. The access control system can be wired or wireless.
In addition to the security levels listed, the best practice for the highest degree of security includes video surveillance and active communication functions at the secure opening.
For more detailed information or to download the full report, visit https://www.doorsecuritysafety.org/Advocacy/Are-Your-Door-Openings-Secure
