Wire mesh

SafetyCoil wire-mesh fabric is a flexible round weave used as divider guards, securing restricted work areas, and as a barrier against unwanted objects. The material’s flow-through design allows observation of moving parts and workspaces. The panels protect objects from impeding the scissoring motion of a lift while an operator in the basket is rising and descending. The mesh is available in stainless, galvanized, and aluminized steel; steel spray; and nylon-coated galvanized steel.

Cascade Coil, Portland, OR
website    

K-12 Schools Tackle Security

It's time to address the present and future security needs of today's K-12 schools.

Security is a top priority for K-12 facilities, such as this Illinois high school. Things as basic as being able to lock down a classroom in an emergency are serious issues that need to be addressed.

Today's elementary and secondary schools have a long way to go in confronting possible security threats, according to a recent study. Carmel, IN-based Ingersoll-Rand Security Technologies, in conjunction with the American Association of School Administrators, Arlington, VA, and RETA Security, Lemont, IL, recently released the results of the 2008 National School Safety Study, which assesses the status of security in the nation's K-12 public schools, based on a survey of school leaders nationwide. The information within the study is especially timely, as the nation begins implementing the economic stimulus package. Included is a school modernization bill, a boon for building contractors who target K-12 school districts.

Among the findings pertinent to contractors:

• Almost 60% of school buildings have no panic exit devices installed in strategic locations, a potential violation of the Fire and Life Safety Codes established by the National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA.
• Less than 56% of buildings are equipped with both exterior and interior intrusion-detection (alarm) systems.
• More than 20% of all districts report no interior or exterior cameras.
• No respondents report the ability to quickly lock down classroom, office, and gathering-area doors electronically in the event of an emergency.

"This study shows the tremendous value in getting the most accurate pulse on trends in school security in order to remain at the forefront in developing truly effective solutions that keep learning environments safe and productive," explains Beverly Vigue, vice president of Ingersoll-Rand's education solutions group.

read complete article