Passive Security Concepts
Building Layout
• Avoid blind spots, corners, and cubby holes.
• Locate administrative and teacher preparation offices within major circulation areas (i.e., corridors, cafeteria, bus drop-off, parking) to provide visual supervision.
• Develop spatial relationships so there are natural transitions from one location to another.
• Locate toilets in close proximity to classrooms.
• Design toilets to balance the need for privacy with the ability to supervise.
• Locate areas likely to have significant community use close to parking. Ensure these areas can be closed off from the rest of the building.
• Provide for natural integration of students and staff.
• Give offices external exits.
• Widen stairwells in two-story buildings.
• Create the ability to partition unused portions of building.
• Include elevator(s) in two-story buildings.
Landscaping, Playing/Practice Fields, and Lighting
• Use high trees and low bushes (less than three feet high) to deter hiding.
• Use aesthetically pleasing fencing around the perimeter of the building.
• Place a tree buffer along the perimeter of the property to avoid extensive fencing.
• Use non-intrusive lighting in all areas (not correctional-type lighting).
• Install emergency lighting/power in hallways, stairwells, and rooms.
• Provide security lighting around building and parking lots with photocell timer that has on/off switch.
• Separate athletic fields from informal gathering areas.
• Locate athletic facilities away from building site to avoid vehicular and pedestrian conflicts.