Security systems in schools play a vital role in preparing for a safe and successful academic year. As August marks the start of back-to-school season for families and educators, it’s also a crucial time for school staff and building maintenance teams to ensure every aspect of the facility is ready for students' return.

Today, safety at school is top of mind for parents—perhaps more than ever before. Schools present a unique set of challenges due to their diverse environments, from classrooms and cafeterias to labs and libraries. Fortunately, with proper planning and awareness, a wide range of precautions—including reliable security and life safety systems—can help protect students and staff in the event of an emergency.

Security System Essentials

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that about 3,230 fires take place in schools each year. Of these fires, 43% were intentionally set. This is where security systems in schools can be hugely helpful. 

Most fires start in places without cameras - namely, bathrooms or locker rooms. While you can’t have cameras in every space, it’s essential to put them wherever you can, to discourage people from playing with fire or intentionally starting fires. On the exterior of the school building, install cameras as well as motion-sensitive lights, to discourage vandalism. Include alarms on all doors and windows as well. 

Fire Safety Essentials 

When it comes to fire safety within security systems in schools, there are many aspects to consider. The type of fire safety elements you’ll need will vary based on the type of school it is, or even the area of the building.

Fire extinguishers and sprinkler systems will be needed throughout any school building. In areas with specialized equipment, such as cafeterias or science labs, additional measures may be needed, such as systems designed to fight grease fires in kitchens and eyewash stations in labs. 

Proper emergency lighting and escape route signage are also crucial. Given that the population within a school building likely moves throughout the day, these help ensure that people can locate an escape route quickly,  no matter where they are in the building.

Of course, it is imperative that building staff keep up with all required maintenance for these various elements, so that it will all work correctly if and when you need it to. A fire and life safety team like CertaSite can help track this for you, so you are always in compliance and as protected as possible. 

Importance of Drills 

One of the most critical pieces of any school’s security system and fire safety plan isn’t equipment at all - it’s practice. Students and staff should complete fire drills several times per year so that everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency. A school district should work with a cross-functional team to outline the safety plan, and then all staff members should be trained on the plan. 

Teachers will need to be taught how to ensure students with disabilities get out safely as well, and should be trained to always keep a roster of students close at hand in case there needs to be an evacuation. Practice also what to do during special events, such as prom or graduation, when people unfamiliar with the building may be present. 

Whenever there is any change to the fire safety plan, be sure to inform everyone on staff of the change. 

Other Measures

Other measures to consider in your security and fire safety plans include precautions everyone can take. For example, remind staff not to overload outlets or block emergency exists. Make sure that the exterior of the building has routine maintenance and trimming on any trees or bushes near the building, so that no exits are blocked from the outside, too. 

Train all staff on how to lock and unlock doors throughout the building, and check that your locks are NFPA-compliant. If combustible materials must be stored, store them away from mechanical rooms and sources of heat. 

Fire safety and security systems are essential in schools. These systems can be complex to implement and to maintain, but trained professionals at CertaSite are here to help. We’ll evaluate your unique fire and life safety needs, and ensure that your people and property are as protected as possible in case of an emergency. Contact us today to get started.