Doing well in school can certainly open a lot of doors, giving young people a good foundation to build the rest of their lives from. The learning process is invaluable to everyone, regardless of the career path they end up taking. But what about the literal doors in schools? These are the entryways into educational experiences – the portals through which children step into potential pathways for their futures.
The multi-occupancy, high-traffic nature of educational institutions means there are some highly specific school door installations that every organisation needs to consider. This blog will highlight the essential doors that every school needs to guarantee a smoothly running site, expanding on everything from sports hall doors to fire safety installations.
Fire doors in schools
These are possibly the most important doors in any school. Fire doors allow for fire to be contained in ‘compartments’, allowing students and staff opportune time to escape should a fire break out. There are serious safety regulations when it comes to fire doors for schools. You need to make sure that you follow them for your school to continue its operations, while they also ensure that people are safe.
In the same vein, you need to consider
Entrance and exit doors
Front doors and the like are vital for the safe, controlled access to school buildings. As they’re going to be used daily, it’s important to consider the locking systems, along with any electrical operation measures to keep uninvited visitors out, etc.
General classroom doors
Similar to functional doors in homes, schools need general doors for classrooms and workspaces. These can be relatively standard doors, but that doesn’t mean they can be scrimped on. Things like sturdy construction, quality materials, safe locking systems, easy opening and closing mechanisms are essential to look out for.
It’s important to keep accessibility requirements in mind while sourcing doors for classrooms, ensuring all students can experience the learning environment, regardless of their physical needs.
Other internal doors
Other internal doors in schools might need slightly more security in terms of locking and accessibility. They can be installed in spaces like:
- Offices
- Staff rooms
- Storage closets
- Maintenance rooms
It’s important to consider security with these doors for the sake of both staff privacy and keeping students away from potentially dangerous supplies.
Sports hall doors
Sports halls require purpose-built doors for equipment supply and easy access for PE teachers and students alike. These doors are generally installed in an infill style, directly into walls or under bleacher seating. They need to be stable, with counter weights and buffer stops to ensure safe, easy operation.
Hygiene-sensitive doors
Hygienic practices in schools are non-negotiable. That’s why areas like bathrooms, kitchens and science facilities need proper door installations. Things like antimicrobial coatings and easy-to-clean surfaces are especially handy when trying to maintain hygiene with doors.
Acoustic doors
Schools are noisy places by nature – hundreds of children in one place is never going to be the quietest setup in the world. That’s not to mention music lessons, drama studios, dance facilities and lively classroom discussions. Acoustic, sound-insulating doors are a great way to contain noise and prevent disruption to other areas of the school.
Doors in schools | Where to source them
School doors take many forms but the thing that connects all of them is that they need to be crafted professionally and mindfully. Quality materials and compliance with relevant regulations are things you need to keep in mind when sourcing your doors.
Go to a reputable supplier with a variety of industrial doors on offer, get in touch with them and you’ll be sure to find everything you need.