Our workshop students often ask about lockout versus lockdown. It’s important to know the difference. Lockoutmeans securing your building perimeter to prevent or impede entry. Lockdownmeans securing internal doors to protect interior offices, rooms, or areas from intrusion. Lockdown is required when an attacker is already inside your facility.
Consider your home as an analogy. When you are away, or at home, locking outside doors and windows is the equivalent of lockout. Locking bedroom doors to impede an intruder is the equivalent of lockdown.
These concepts appear simple, until you consider everyday reality. Lockout requires robust doors, along with effective locking mechanisms, and door monitoring systems. Propping an outside door open with a rock to allow people to take smoke breaks defeats the lockout system. Lockdown is complicated because many facilities, schools, and churches do not have locks on internal doors. Further, many buildings have interior hollow core doors that are easily kicked open. Disclaimer: An in-depth discussion of locking devices and door monitoring systems is beyond the scope of this blog.
Key Takeaway:
Many hospitals, schools, businesses, or manufacturing facilities cannot be effectively locked. Retrofit or provide security devices for internal doors without locks. Use doorstops or barricades as a last resort.
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