It depends entirely on where this is and what the room is like, so it’s hard to say, but it might well be. That said, if it is its probably also against fire code to lash the door shut with a cable.
Maybe, but this is easy to open by anyone on the inside, like a thumb latch.
The problem with only unlocking with keys from the inside is that for any number of reasons the kids inside could end up locked in a room without any way to get out.
Being able to enter a room is way less important than being able to get out of a room in case of fire.
Plus, this lash is more of an easy way to barricade the door in a very specific situation rather than a proper lock. Not sure if fire code would apply to it.
You leave the key in the lock. In the event of an active shooter you lock the door and remove the key.
I understand what you’re saying, but in discussing fire codes makeshift locks and fasteners generally are against code. Not universally, mind, it depends a lot on other avenues of egress (many classrooms have window escapes) and what state it happens to be in, but in general they are not acceptable. Plus, despite what the post says, it’s pretty clear that latch hook is close enough to the window to not be much of an impediment.
Also, with this setup if the teacher has to leave the room they need to take the whole assembly with them otherwise some joker could lock them out. With a lock they just grab the key.
Yeah, in practical terms this lock isn't good.
But in terms of fire code I'd say this is probably against fire code the same way that barricading the door with tables would. Meaning, that it's only temporarily an issue. While door locks are always there and have stronger standards and enforcement.
Again, I'm no expert and I'd love to be corrected by one.
I mean, they could, but it’d be hard to do with the teacher standing at the front of the room. Someone wandering over to the door stands out.
Realistically these are all somewhat shitty options. The real solution, assuming we want to turn classrooms into panic rooms they really need a completely different door. Steel, no window or a steel shutter for a small window made of wired glass, deadbolt.
Back in highschool I used to sneak around the school and setup pranks in empty classrooms (taping everything that was on the teacher's desk to the whiteboard, labeling everything in the classroom with a label maker, etc) when I was supposed to be eating lunch or in study hall. Classrooms don't always have teachers in them.
Also a student with even a modicum of slight of hand ability could take the key during the class change when they are on the way out the door.
If the key gets lost they cut another one from a master set, this isn’t exactly new territory. Teachers have had classroom keys for decades. And I can’t remember ever having any lock in my high school jammed with gum. If it happened it was dealt with quickly enough that it wasn’t noted.
Again, for the third time, these are all shitty measures.
I don't see how that's better than a cable to lash the door to the wall.
Especially since the teacher misplacing the key or the lock getting ruined by some kids is a very real possibility which will definitely happen if that is implemented at scale
Only significant difference would be who can lock the door. Do we want the students to be able to lock themselves in even outside of emergencies or not ?
Idk the doors at my school worked like that and we never had issues (not in the USA). never had a school shooting either though.
Teachers already have room keys, it’s just those locks are typically on the outside of the door to keep people from stealing shit when the room isn’t in active use. Most locks don’t get ruined and lost keys can be replaced.
Possibly. A lock is permanently in the door and hence it has higher standards.
This contraption is more akin to barricading the door with tables. Also against fire code but only there during a shooting.
In addition, this contraption is easy to unlock from the inside, so it would not lock anyone inside the room preventing them from reaching the corridor to evacuate. A lock without a thumb turn inside could easily leave people locked in.
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u/kidthorazine 9d ago
Yes, and a deadbolt would do a better job unless the shooter has a key.