Not just numbers. But challenges.
11.5 million
Pupils and students in Germany (2025/2026)
94,318
recorded criminal offences with the location of the offence "school" (2024)
47%
of teachers report violence-related problems at their schools
Open and protected at the same time
Schools are not a uniform operating environment. They are places with high dynamics, changing user groups and a constant alternation between open and controlled operation.
The challenge in everyday operations
In the course of the day, situations repeatedly arise in which many people are on the move at the same time: drop-off and pick-up times, breaks, room changes, external programmes and events. In addition, there are numerous stakeholders with different access rights ̶ from school management to suppliers and tradespeople.
The growing need for action
Violence and threat situations are not only perceived subjectively, but can also be statistically substantiated. For school authorities, this creates a dual task: to keep schools functioning as open institutions while systematically countering risks at the same time.
Effective school security means thinking about everyday operations and emergency situations holistically in organisational, structural and technical terms.
In violence or threat situations, no single product makes the difference, but rather the interaction of clear processes, defined responsibilities and supporting technology.
Three scenarios ̶ one overall concept
Many security incidents in schools arise from everyday situations. At the same time, there are situations in which decisions must be made within seconds. Three typical scenarios structure the requirements.
Everyday life in the "open" school
Changing user groups, numerous access points, constant alternation between open and controlled operation. Access control must be accepted in day-to-day operations - otherwise workarounds arise that create security gaps.
Core requirement
Security must work in everyday operations and be accepted, so that it is not bypassed.
Violence and threat situation
An incident often starts without warning. In a violence or active shooter situation, every minute counts. The building must be able to be switched to protection mode within seconds ̶ without blocking escape routes.
Core requirement
Practised procedures, clear responsibilities and technology that acts in a controlled and traceable manner in an emergency.
Fire & Evacuation
The aim here is the opposite of lockdown: people must be able to leave the building quickly and safely. Doors and escape routes must be usable at all times ̶ even under stress.
Core requirement
Escape and rescue routes must function safely at all times. Security measures must not impede evacuation.
From the open school to a zoned concept
Protection of persons
Protect pupils, teachers, employees and visitors ̶ in everyday operations and in exceptional situations. Rapid response capability and clear responsibilities are crucial.
Secure operation & educational openness
Security must not paralyse operations. The goal is a level of security that integrates into everyday life without destroying the open character of a school.
Legal and documentation security
School authorities are responsible for buildings and operations. Requirements must be implemented in a traceable, standards-compliant and verifiable manner, responsibilities must be defined and incidents documented.
The 5 key decisions for school authorities
- Define the target vision
How open should the school remain in everyday operations - and what level of security is accepted? - Define zones
Which areas are freely accessible, which only with authorisation (e.g. chemistry lab, teachers' room, IT)? - Secure transitions
Which entrances are critical - side entrances, sports hall, delivery zones, playground? - Clarify operating modes
How does normal operation differ from an incident situation - and which door functions are required when? - Regulate organisation
Who grants and withdraws rights - and who acts in an incident? How are procedures trained and documented?
Mechanics, mechatronics and electronics - modular combinable
BKS relies on a modular toolkit approach: depending on the security objective, building structure and budget, components can be combined and expanded step by step in the future ̶ tailored to the existing building stock. Thanks to its broad product portfolio, BKS ensures that later adaptations, e.g. due to changed framework conditions and possible future extensions, can also be integrated into the existing solution without difficulty ̶ creating planning certainty for both now and the future.
Level 1
Mechanical locking systems
Robust foundation for stable areas where reliable access control without dynamic changes in authorisation is the priority.
Level 2
Mechatronic locks
Combine mechanical robustness with electronically supported control ̶ ideal for critical transitions such as main entrances or sports halls.
Level 3
Electronic access media
Where rights need to change frequently or be time-controlled ̶ for third-party use, external service providers or temporary authorisations.
Level 4
Administration & system control
So that access rights, media and operating processes remain manageable in everyday operations ̶ from individual solutions to site-wide integration.
Everyday operations ̶ organise access without affecting school operations
It is not the state of emergency, but normal operation, that determines school security.
A typical Tuesday morning: hundreds of pupils arrive, suppliers are waiting outside the cafeteria, a trades company reports in. In the afternoon a club uses the sports hall, in the evening there is a parents' evening.
It is precisely in this normality - many transitions, many stakeholders, little time - that school security is decided.
Main entrance
Side entrances & third-party use
Service providers & temporary access
Sensitive areas
Violence/active shooter situation ̶ lockdown, zoning, control
When everyday life turns into an emergency in seconds.
An incident rarely starts with advance warning. In a violence or active shooter situation, every minute counts. Many people are distributed throughout the building, with numerous doors and routes. The building must be switched to protection mode quickly - without blocking escape and rescue routes.
The decisive factor is the interaction of zoning, door functions and defined procedures that also work under stress.
Door functions for protected areas
Zoning via system logic
Mechanical security as a foundation
Fire & evacuation ̶ escape and rescue routes
When every second counts - and evacuation has priority.
In the event of fire, the aim is the opposite of lockdown: people must get out quickly and safely. Escape and rescue routes are safety-critical systems ̶ to be implemented correctly in structural, organisational and regulatory terms.
Access control and security functions must never hinder evacuation. Doors must be intuitive to operate even under stress and even with limited mobility.
Mechatronic and electronic systems offer the advantage that hazardous areas (e.g. smoke-filled stairwells) can be deliberately locked from a distance and thus protected against accidental entry.
Panic locks (EN 179 / EN 1125)
Door function as a complete system
Operation & organisation
Where does your school / educational institution stand?
The more questions you answer yes to, the more important a structured concept of access control, door functions and practised procedures becomes.
Everyday operations
- Are side entrances temporarily open or used "informally"?
- Does third-party use take place regularly (clubs, adult education centres, events)?
- Do external service providers have regular access?
- Is it unclear who grants or withdraws access rights?
- Are sensitive areas (IT, chemistry room) not consistently separated?
Violence / threat situation
- Are protection zones/protected areas defined and can they be mapped organisationally?
- Is it clear who makes decisions in an incident?
- Is the door logic clearly defined for each zone?
- Is it regulated which access points remain reachable for emergency services?
- Is staff behaviour practised and documented?
Fire & evacuation
- Are escape and rescue routes clearly known and labelled in the building plan?
- Is the correct standards logic (EN 179 / EN 1125) taken into account for each door?
- Are lock, hardware and door planned as a tested complete system?
- Are there clear rules against blocking escape doors?
- Are maintenance and inspection routines documented and established?
School security that can be planned, operated and managed
School security is a special task because schools must remain open – and therefore also have an increased need for protection. A concept only becomes viable when everyday operations and emergency situations are considered together.
Zones and transitions must be clearly defined, door functions clearly specified for each scenario and responsibilities organised in such a way that they are accepted in operation.
BKS combines these requirements with a modular toolkit of mechanical, mechatronic and electronic solutions as well as the appropriate administration software. This is especially true for existing buildings: solutions must be retrofittable, expandable step by step and accepted in everyday use so that they function reliably in threat situations.
For escape and rescue routes, it is also necessary for door systems to be planned in accordance with standards and implemented as a complete system – BKS supports this process from the initial survey through to commissioning.
Your next steps with BKS
- Structured inventory assessment
Identification of critical transitions, sensitive areas and usage scenarios as a basis for prioritisation and planning. - Zone and function concept
Clear door and zone logic for each scenario, including roles and responsibilities in operation. - Requirements catalogue & tender texts
Functional requirements and evidence, including relevant standards and escape route aspects, as a basis for planning and procurement. - Selection & phased implementation
Evaluation of solution variants and development of a realistic phased plan - so that the concept is accepted in everyday use and performs reliably in an emergency.
