Proofing schools against vandalism - School Safety

School Administrator, June, 2002 by William J. Pappalardo

Preventing vandalism to school buildings begins during the design process.

With a growing trend of community use of school buildings, accessibility to a greater number of people translates into more exposure. Building layout can aid in controlling traffic or limiting access to those spaces typically used after hours.

Restricting vehicular access to designated parking areas can prevent autos from getting onto open landscaped areas or athletic fields except under controlled situations.

Night lighting of school buildings to create a well-lit, secure area and discourage vandalism can present problems in typically residential areas. One alternative is the use of building light, plus 10 feet of exterior lighting adjacent to the building perimeter from dusk to dawn.

Another option is to install a security system and only minimal interior lighting during off hours. In this case, when a break-in or unauthorized entry is detected by the security system, it causes the light level to be noticeably changed (often by becoming brighter), alerting neighbors as well as law enforcement to trouble.

Building Exterior

The outside of the school building may be the most affected by vandalism and related security concerns. We recommend that school districts:

* Paint building exteriors, allowing a simple repainting to remove graffiti and restore integrity. Avoid anti-graffiti wall coatings that can be cost prohibitive and provide less-than-satisfactory results. Also avoid sandblasting, which can result in surface scarring.

* Design buildings that limit recesses, alcoves or indentations in form and massing.

* Construct all exterior door and window frames of hollow metal, not aluminum.

* Make roof areas as inaccessible from the ground as possible. Placement of mechanical equipment on the roof is advisable when precautions are made to protect it from intruders.

* Use security cameras, particularly in remote areas. Cameras work best if they are hidden or protected to prevent removal or vandalism.

* Use fencing to seal off access to the building except through the front door. If exterior doors are not to be used as entrances, they should be installed without exterior hardware. If you choose to install a card-reader security system, check with your system vendor for the best remedy for card-reader tampering such as jamming bubble gum or aluminum from soda cans into card slides.

* Locate landscape sprinkler heads, exterior power receptacles and hose bibs in a secured recessed wall box at the exterior wall.

* Monitor handicap ramps to avoid unwanted skateboarding. Districts are faced with the growing problem of abuse to handrails, stair nosings, planting bed edges and walls from skateboarders and roller bladers.

* Secure aluminum bleachers to avoid theft.

Building Interior

The interior of the school building may be similarly affected by vandalism. We recommend school districts:

* Design restrooms to minimize vandalism. If hard-wiring infrared flush valve sensors are not possible, standard exposed manual flush valves are preferable. The infrared flush valve system presents a temptation to vandals who attempt to steal the infrared sensors. Wash fountains also are a better choice than counters with sinks, although cleaning the terrazzo wash fountains can be a problem. Walls for restrooms should be floor-to-ceiling ceramic tile or epoxy concrete blocks, with ceilings 10 to 12 feet high. Recessed sprinkler heads, hand dryers and soap dispensers are more resistant to vandalism, as are stainless steel mirrors.

* Use keyed switches or inaccessible switches to enhance vandal-proof corridors. Thermostats also should be contained in secured classroom spaces or return air chases/plenums, which are accessible only by going above the ceiling or by access panel into the chase itself. Casework should have recessed pulls and 3-millimeter plastic PVC edging to withstand abuse.

* Eliminate student lockers, if possible. Devices, drugs, and other illegal materials can be stored in student lockers and the district must get a search warrant. Policy allows for scanning and screening backpacks for weapons. Also, the locker doors get bent and broken creating additional maintenance problems. Another option is to install all-welded lockers.

* Eliminate carpeting, which generally does not withstand abuse in corridors and cafeterias. Districts have realized that terrazzo flooring provides the durability necessary for such high-traffic volume areas with dramatically reduced maintenance costs.

Vandal proofing your school does cost money. Although we need to be cost conscious, construction managers and state agencies often "value engineer" our good design practices. If your school district faces recurrent problems with facility vandalism, chances are you are not alone. Consider contacting other districts in your area to arrange a joint discussion on the topic. A combined response against unwanted acts can send a stronger no-tolerance message to instigators.

William Pappalardo is a senior associate with DLR Group, an architecture and engineering firm. He can be reached at 1 Neshaminy Interplex, Suite 104, Trevose PA 19053. E-mail: bpappalardo@dlrgroup.com