School Security: The Role of Fire Doors and Secured Access During Crisis Events

Top openings, locks, and code compliance experts collaborated with PASS to develop a white paper for schools and districts, enabling them to better understand and implement compartmentalization for life safety.

The white paper provides insights and guidance, including:

• Definition of compartmentalization
• The role of fire doors
• How schools can effectively utilize fire-rated and compartmentalized doors to:
• Contain threats (such as fire or active assailants)
• Maintain safe, code-compliant egress
• Ensure emergency responder access
• Minimize misuse
• Align with safety and security design standards

Download the full white paper. Below is a preview of the topics the document covers in depth.

What is compartmentalization?

Compartmentation, also known as compartmentalization, is a term commonly used in building codes and fire protection standards. It refers to the creation of protected areas, or compartments, within a structure using walls, doors, and other barriers designed to resist the spread of fire and smoke. 

This one key principle of compartmentalization is crucial to both architectural and operational strategies for threat containment to save lives and minimize destruction, whether in a fire emergency or an active assailant event. 

What’s the role of fire doors in compartmentalization at schools?

Modern buildings utilize various types of doors to create compartments within spaces, providing barriers that protect both occupants and property. Fire doors, which are intended to contain flames and smoke during a structural fire, might also be utilized to secure areas during an active assailant event. While these doors are primarily installed for fire protection, they can also be crucial in scenarios involving active assailants or security threats. Additionally, these doors serve to separate public areas, such as gyms and auditoriums, from nonpublic spaces like classroom wings, especially after hours. 

Common Examples of Door Types in Schools

• Cross-corridor doors
• Stairwell doors
• Area or unit separation doors
• Smoke barrier and smoke partition doors

What are the key elements of fire containment in schools?

Fire doors are engineered to resist the passage of flame and smoke for a specified period, typically ranging from 20 to 180 minutes. Fire-rated doors should always be closed and latched during a fire to prevent the spread of flames, smoke, and harmful fumes. Building and fire codes mandate that these doors be self-closing or automatically closing, as well as self latching. Leaving doors ajar or obstructed allows smoke and heat to move into nearby areas, defeating the purpose of compartmentalization.

What are the key elements of containing human threats in schools?

Just as fire must be stopped from moving freely, human threats such as active shooters must be contained to a defined area to prevent escalation. In an active assailant or armed intruder event, time and access are critical. The goal is to isolate the threat, protect students and staff, and support emergency responders in gaining quick, safe access.

What’s the trade-off between compartmentalization for containment and emergency responder access?

While internal doors help isolate threats, they can also hamper the movement of emergency personnel during critical moments. For example, the requirement that fire doors remain latched can complicate access for first responders needing to pass through multiple zones. Locks and physical barricades can significantly delay response times. Multiple secure zones can confuse responders unfamiliar with the layout, potentially compromising their ability to respond effectively. Access to electronic locks may fail or become inaccessible due to power loss, cybersecurity issues, or incompatibility with responder tools and equipment.

What is the best way to balance containment with responder access for school safety?

While compartmentation doors (such as cross-corridor or stairwell doors) play a vital role in both fire safety and threat containment, they also present operational challenges. It’s essential to acknowledge that a closed door may delay movement. Still, a locked door actively restricts access, which can be a valuable asset during a security event but a liability during normal operations or emergencies where free movement is necessary. 

To balance containment with responder access, buildings should integrate dual-priority safety design using strategies like master access solutions, smart integration, clear wayfinding and mapping, and training and drills with responders. 

Compartmentalization Action Items and Considerations for K-12 School Safety

Compartmentalization, whether achieved through fire-rated doors, smoke barriers, or secured access points, is a proven strategy for protecting lives during emergencies. However, with this added layer of protection comes increased complexity. Locked or improperly configured doors can delay emergency response, restrict egress, or introduce operational challenges during day-to-day use. Effective safety planning must strike a balance between containment and accessibility. 

For more information, view the latest PASS Guidelines (Version 7).