Security is a trend that has gained momentum in the '90s and will undoubtedly be at the forefront of everyone's concerns well into the next century. Whether at home, school or the workplace, security will be increased.

Our homes have always been the first place we want security. We would never expect a stranger to walk through the house without an invitation. Thus, our doorbells are a basic means of access control. The family dog might be considered our perimeter patrol. Could the security of such a house be compromised? You bet. Just tunc into your local news to hear about the latest home invasion. Don't think for a minute that these invasions only happen in the "big city."

What have we seen in the past few years to help deal with this security issue for our families and homes? There has been a major increase in home security systems that can be monitored 24 hours a day, neighborhood watch programs and, for some, gated communities with armed security guards whose only objective is to protect the residents and their homes. We have seen developments in residential locking devices for both windows and sliding doors. A recently lobbied California bill called for landlords to provide a deadbolt lock on all exterior doors to their rental properties.

Schools and universities

ln addition to our homes, we hope that schools are a safe place for our children. Once again, recent headlines show grade school officials concerned about outside invasions, or even more tragic, invasions by students themselves. My generation practiced bomb drills in the classroom. It's a little scary to hear that several of this country's primary schools are developing "lock down" drills to secure individual classrooms from inside and outside invasions.

New product developments have been designed to provide better security for school children. Some manufacturers have added as a standard product an "all-purpose" mortise lock. Basically, it has a classroom function with a unique twist. In the unlocked position the lever stays in a retracted (below horizontal) position, and the door essentially is push/pull. When the door is locked by a key, either from the inside or outside, the lever returns to its original position. You may ask, how can an unlocked door add to the security of an opening? Well, it is quite simple. From any point in that room, as long as the teacher can see the door, he or she will know instantly if it is secure or not. The lever is an unmistakable visual reminder of the security status of the door. One nice result from the lock staying in a push/pull mode when security isn't an issue is that less cycling of the lockset extends the usage of each lock and increases the reliability of the lock when truly needed for security.

In recent years we have also seen an increase in the use of proprietary key systems within a school district. These proprietary keyways, sidebar millings or a combination of both can provide a school district with a much more secure key system with less chance of unauthorized key duplication.

Another innovation that has taken on a life of its own is the freewheeling and clutch, vandal-resistant levers on cylindrical locksets and exit trims. This freewheeling feature is now available for mortise locks in most locking functions currently offered. With this function, the specifier can now offer a special feature with the better quality mortise lock.

Universities require a little more sophistication when it comes to adding security for students and employees. Privacy is a major issue for students; however, we still want them to be safe. By using the above-mentioned mechanical means of increasing security to primary schools and adding electronics, we can make it easier to incorporate security into the college student's lifestyle.

During the past few years, new products focusing on college communities have become available. By combining mechanical keys, card readers and key-pads, these locks provide multiple locking and unlocking functions and audits, while being off-line and battery-operated. Access may be further controlled by deadbolt override of card or keypad users. Each lock may be programmed for an entire academic calendar, eliminating re-programming for Summer or group schedules. The audit trail in the lock details successful and failed access attempts, use of the deadbolt, use of the metal key and door position. Students maintain their privacy because the lock is off-line; however, if a security issue arises, the audit trail provides security personnel with detailed information on who has accessed that opening.

The workplace

What about the security offered at workplaces? Are unwanted guests a threat at the office? Do offices currently allow almost anyone who walks in the door access to the rest of the office space? The answer to that question for most is yes. So what can be done to increase the security of an office space? When I consult with customers, I see that their concern for security is real. However, they don't want to give up the conveniences to which they've become accustomed. Ideal security measures increase mechanical integrity of the opening and add convenience to these security measures through electronic products.

Let's begin with the key systems. Regardless of how electronically sophisticated you specify your security system, generally there will be a key override. The key control for this override should be the simplest key system possible to ensure greater security. A proprietary keyway or sidebar may be used to ensure unauthorized key duplication cannot occur, especially at the highest personnel security levels. The next important concern should be the quality of product used. For security, a Grade 1 locking device should be specified. A mortise lock for proprietary and/or UL-437 listed cylinders should be used to help protect the integrity of the cylinders. Let's face it, how secure is your key system if someone can cut off the outside lever and cylinder of a cylindrical lockset and walk away with it?

Once there's a good foundation, we need to help access the openings. For this, electronics have come to the forefront of the builders' hardware industry in the past few years. Even though they are not new, they have become more sophisticated, and their use has become more commonplace. An area that manufacturers were once willing to give up to the alarm professionals can now be coordinated with them, and the builders' hardware distributors should be taking the lead.

By using the same UL-437 cylinder and mortise lock with the addition of an electrical unlock feature, the opening can have easier access with ultimately little mechanical key control issues. This unlocking feature can bc accomplished by a simple stand-alone keypad battery-operated system on mortise and cylindrical locks and exit devices. Or it could be as sophisticated as a hard-wired on-line system with a form of card access, such as mag strip, proximity or biometrics.

Another product available in exit security is a delayed egress device. Some complete stand-alone delayed egress systems can be incorporated into any exit device installation. Options include narrow or wide stile, and concealed or surface vertical rod. These delayed egress devices hinder the normal egress through the opening to provide security in normal operation. But when the fire alarm is activated, the device releases like any mechanical exit device to maintain life safety.

A coordinated effort

It is apparent that the trend toward increasing security is here. Products now available and the ones still on the drawing board will help the hardware consultant design the level of security an end user is looking for, at an affordable price. It is, however, going to take a lot of work on the hardware consultant's part to stay up-to-date with the ever changing products available and the building codes that govern their usage. Hardware consultants will have to increase communication with architects and security consultants to make sure these innovative products get specified. And they will have to increase coordination with the alarm and electrical technicians to ensure the products function and provide the desired level of security.

The rewards are there for the people and companies willing to develop and promote these security products. Costs for new electrical or security products are much higher than conventional ones, but if we're willing to educate ourselves and promote our knowledge within the trades, this will ultimately increase the bottom line for everyone.

The question is not, "Is there a trend toward higher security," but rather, "Who can lead the move toward higher security?"