For school and university buildings, with a heavy footfall during term time and quieter corridors come the summer holidays, window and door security and safety is key to property maintenance. Ensuring both staff and students can easily vacate premises in the event of an emergency, that all exits meet current regulations and are secure during vacant periods, is crucial.
Staff and student safety
It’s easy to fall into a trap of thinking you’re prepared for an emergency evacuation once your fire doors are in place and your escape plan is signed off, but did you know that the fire doors and windows in your building should be serviced at least every six months? Regularly servicing ensures these safety exits are kept in optimum condition, providing a safe environment for your staff, students and visiting public.
With fire doors specifically constructed to be robust, regular maintenance checks keep your doors as strong as possible and pick up any necessary repairs – such as hinge damage which could negatively impact integrity. Door alignment and panic bars on emergency exits should also be checked, with damage potentially preventing a smooth and easy open in an emergency.
Security is key
While most schools and universities will use parts of their buildings during the holidays, it’s not uncommon for a lot of the site to be locked up. With community classes and events potentially being held in some areas, security of the exterior and interior doors and windows is vital. Ensuring that windows are regularly serviced to keep them looking and functioning in top condition is one tactic to deter both vandals and burglars.
Secure windows not only act as a visual deterrent, but also a physical one. Good quality, well maintained windows and doors are harder to break. Research shows that if an assailant is unable to gain access in 60 seconds, they are likely to move on, highlighting the importance of having secure, robust windows to protect your building and avoid unnecessary costs.
Working with Windrush
Here at Windrush, we’ve worked with a number of schools and universities to ensure their building’s doors and windows are maintained to provide top safety and security. Get in touch to find out how we can help get your building ‘New Term Ready’.
