Portable classrooms are a quick and economical way to meet rapid demands for classroom space, but the structures create special security concerns. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that nearly 385,000 portables are in use in approximately 36 percent of U.S. schools.

Fencing

School districts facing large population increases create portable lawns or parking lot areas adjacent to where portables are installed. Security fencing is then placed around the perimeter and additional lighting is added to secure the perimeter when school is not in session. Security fencing is also put in place along student walkways to protect against public entry into the area.

Limited Access

Using security zones limits students, staff and faculty access to portables and prohibits public access. This is done by issuing identification cards or lanyards for portable classroom areas. Hall monitors or guards are then required to check identification before entrance is granted.

Window Covers

Metal bars or heavy mesh is applied over the windows of portable classrooms to inhibit breaking and entering when school is not in session. Portable architecture includes windowless designs that eliminate the risk of entry by a window opening.

Door Locks

Teachers using portable units are instructed to keep doors locked at all times. New portables are sometimes equipped with electronically-controlled keyless door locks that allow teachers or a hall monitor to control access to a portable area or individual structures. Push-button codes and proximity cards are also used to track entrance and exiting traffic to individual portables, according to the National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities.

Cameras

Live or recorded observation through cameras is another way schools provide portable security during and after school hours. CDW, a major technology provider for government and education, reported in 2009 that 79 percent of school districts report using surveillance cameras, a nearly 10 percent increase over the same period in 2008.

Source:

EPA: IAQ IfS Action Kit

NCEF: Door Locking Options in Schools

GDW-G: School Safety Index, 2009