NASFM Makes Recommendations for School Door Hardware

The National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) has put together an updated version of their Classroom Door Security & Locking Hardware document1 which lays out in guidelines and a  checklist how door applications and hardware should operate, function and be applied. In other words, these guidelines are not only suggestive, but mandatory in order to comply with building and fire codes, life safety codes, and/or laws, regulations, and requirements within many authority having jurisdictions.

How familiar are you with the updated NASFM Classroom Door Security & Locking Hardware document? Direct your questions about updating your building or facility to your local IDN Branch. Schedule an assessment now or speak to our sales staff about your school door hardware options or visit School and University Security Solutions for a list of suggested school door hardware products.

School Security — Classroom Door Checklist
  1. The door should be lockable from inside the classroom without requiring the door to be opened.
  2. Egress from the classroom through the classroom door should be without the use of a key, a tool, special knowledge, or effort.
  3. For egress, unlatching the classroom door from inside the classroom should be accomplished with one operation.
  4. The classroom door should be lockable and unlockable from outside the classroom.
  5. Door operating hardware should be operable without tight grasping, tight pinching, or twisting of the wrist.
  6. Door hardware operable parts should be located between 34 and 48 inches above the floor.
  7. The bottom 10 inches of the “push” side of the door surface should be smooth.
  8. If the school building does not have an automatic fire sprinkler system, the classroom door and door hardware may be required to be fire-rated and the door should be self-closing and self-latching.
  9. If the door is required to be fire-rated, the door should not be modified in any way that invalidates the required fire-rating of the door and/or door hardware.
1. Received from
https://www.firemarshals.org/resources/Documents/NASFM%20Documents/NASFM
%20Classroom%20Door%20Security%20Update%209-2018%20FINAL.pdf

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Kwame Shorter is the Digital Communications and Website Specialist at IDN, Inc.