Classroom door locks play a critical role in enhancing school safety by serving as a primary barrier against potential threats and enabling swift emergency responses.
An August 2020 simulation experiment by the United States Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) found that classroom doors that lock without teacher intervention when closed were found to have a significant impact on the outcome of an active school shooter event. In runs with pre-locked doors, more classrooms completed lockdown procedures, and more students got safely outside the school or into locked classrooms.
When an intruder makes it into the school hallways, having a locked door is the first line of defense for a classroom. In this article, we will explore types of locksets used in schools, along with practical recommendations for their use.
Types of Locksets
There are several types of locksets used in schools, and each serves a different function based on safety, access control, and emergency response needs. Here are five of the most common:
Classroom Lockset
How It Works: The outside lever is locked and unlocked with a key. The inside lever always allows free egress – it cannot be locked from the inside without a key.
Use Case: This lockset is traditionally used in classrooms; however, teachers must exit the room to lock the door from the hallway, which can pose a safety risk in emergency lockdown situations.
Classroom Security Lockset
How It Works: The classroom security lockset is like a traditional classroom lockset, but with a key cylinder on both sides of the door. This allows the door to be locked on the outside from inside the classroom with a key, while still permitting free egress. The inside cylinder should be keyed so that all the inside cylinders on classroom doors can be operated by any key in the school’s key system.
Use Case: Most modern schools require these locks by law or by state guidelines for classrooms. This lockset enables teachers to lock doors quickly during emergencies without opening the door or stepping into the hallway.
Storeroom Lockset
How It Works: The outside lever on this lockset is always locked and cannot be unlocked without a key. The inside lever always allows free egress. This ensures that the door locks automatically when closed.
Use Case: Like the name suggests, this lockset is ideal for custodial closets, mechanical rooms, or storage areas where regular access is limited to authorized personnel.
Entrance/Office Lockset
How It Works: This allows the door to be locked with a push or turn button from the inside of the room and unlocked with a key from the outside of the room.
Use Case: This lockset is best for staff offices or administrative areas where restricted access is needed, but emergency exit access must remain available. It’s not typically recommended for classrooms due to potential tampering from students or inconsistent lockdown readiness.
Electronic Access Control Lockset
How It Works: Electronic access control locksets integrate electronic hardware like card readers, keypads, or mobile credentials, into the lock. The two most common functions of these locks are fail-safe (electrically locked) or fail-secure (electrically unlocked). The outside lever of a fail-safe lock will be unlocked during a power failure, which is a security risk.
Use Case: Typically, these locksets are used in schools to manage who can access certain areas and when. Electronic access is ideal for main entrances, IT rooms, and high-security areas. Some pros of electronic access locks include remote lockdown capabilities, real-time monitoring, and flexible access permissions, which are extremely valuable, especially in large campuses or school districts.
Recommendations & Best Practices
In 2024, the National Association of State Fire Marshals published an updated suggested classroom door checklist with recommendations to keep in mind when selecting and installing hardware on classroom doors intended to increase security in the classroom. Some of the recommendations on the checklist include:
- The door should be lockable from inside the classroom without requiring the door to be opened.
- Egress from the classroom through the classroom door should be without the use of a key, tool, special knowledge or effort.
- For egress, unlatching the classroom door from inside the classroom should be accomplished with one motion.
- The classroom door should be lockable and unlockable from outside the classroom.
- Door operating hardware should be operable without tight grasping, tight pinching, or twisting of the wrist.
The checklist also includes parameters such as height requirements for door hardware operable parts, fire-rating compatibility, and other fire safety requirements. These recommendations only scratch the surface of regulations on doors and their locks. Building codes, life safety codes, fire codes, accessibility regulations, and federal, state, and local laws and regulations all affect the opening solutions that schools use.
While compliance with codes and regulations is critical when installing, maintaining, or replacing any door hardware or opening solution, it's equally important to consider external factors that impact the overall effectiveness of the door and its lock. 
In recent years, secondary barricade devices have become a popular suggestion for classroom safety. While the use of these devices against dangerous intruders could be effective, they also create potential risks, such as preventing first responders from entering during an emergency, and violating fire and life safety codes, as well as accessibility requirements. Because of these reasons, secondary barricade devices are not typically recommended.
As we explored in our Anatomy of School Safety blog, the people inside of a school play a vital role in creating a safe school environment. The classroom security lockset, which is the most common lock used in classrooms today, requires a teacher or staff member in the classroom to physically lock the door. Without quick and effective action from a human, the lock on a classroom door is essentially useless.
Teachers, staff, and administrators should regularly practice locking classroom doors so that the motion is second nature in an emergency situation. The keys to those doors should also always be accounted for and easily accessible. Every second counts in an emergency situation, and every security measure makes a difference – especially a locked door.
Securing the Future, One Lock at a Time
A locked door is a simple solution that enhances school safety greatly. Implementing effective classroom door locking mechanisms is a vital component of a comprehensive school safety strategy. Ensuring that locks are both secure and compliant with safety regulations can significantly enhance the protection of students and staff during emergencies.
Not all schools have the same infrastructure, needs, or code requirements. Our team can evaluate your current door hardware, identify vulnerabilities, and recommend solutions tailored to your school’s specific safety goals and compliance needs.
Ready to strengthen your school’s first line of defense? Schedule a campus security site assessment today and take the next step toward a safer learning environment.
Please note: Assessment requests are subject to availability based on your location. If your area is outside our current service range, we will follow up to let you know as soon as possible.