Project Spotlight: Security Upgrades for the Harrison Central School District
As school starts up again, security and safety are at the top of everyone’s minds. Unfortunately, school security incidents continue to occur. Parents and communities want to protect students and staff, but many school districts are struggling to find solutions that balance security and accessibility and that are also efficient and cost-effective. As part of the Harrison Central School District’s district-wide security plan, H2M is pioneering a ballistic-resistant window system that can reduce the threat of shootings while minimizing costs for the community.
The problem with traditional bulletproof glass is that it is thick, heavy, and expensive. Replacing all of the glazing at each of the six buildings across the District would have been cost-prohibitive. The average door or window system is not designed to accept the weight of bulletproof glass. Additionally, adding bulletproof glazing to emergency exit windows or interior doors would make them too heavy for young children or people with physical impairments. For Harrison, H2M researched alternatives, interviewed manufacturers, and joined local law enforcement for demonstrations at shooting ranges to determine the best solution for a school district.
H2M and stakeholders ultimately decided on a window system known as the Diamond Defense Ballistic Assault Barrier™ comprising a polycarbonate lens, proprietary air gap, and film. This system can withstand the energy of multiple bullets from the “threat” side and disperse it without shattering the glass on the internal “protected” side. It is notable for being the only system resistant to multiple bullet sizes up to a .50 caliber. The whole structure is less than an inch thick and perfectly clear, making it visually indistinguishable from a conventional windowpane. This system is already in use at many police stations and other law enforcement facilities.
H2M walked through each building to identify which windows and doors merited the upgrade. The Diamond Defense system is lightweight enough that the District can re-use the existing infrastructure. Phase I of this project also included designing additional infrared and pan-tilt-zoom cameras, low-voltage window sensors, and key fob door access controls. Now in Phase II, H2M has designed new, secure entry vestibules at each school. Each vestibule will feature the same bullet-resistant window system. All future school additions and new security vestibules will have windows that can accommodate the new Diamond Defense system. In total, upgrading every school will cost approximately $1.3 million. Construction will begin in the summer of 2025 and is expected to finish in 2027.
Designing for school security means buying time for first responders to arrive on site. Programmatic features such as bulletproof windows and man-traps are critical additions to any school building. School districts can connect with architects and professional designers to determine which options best fit their needs.
