The Door and Hardware Institute (DHI) and Door Security and Safety Foundation (DSSF) issue joint statement in response to Nashville Covenant School Shooting
DHI and DSSF jointly call on school districts and legislators to work with door security and safety professionals to assess and implement life-saving security measures.
April 6, 2023 – Washington, DC – On March 27, three children and three adults were killed during a shooting at Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee. Per reports and released video footage, the assailant gained access into the school by shooting through two sets of glass double doors.
“On behalf of DHI and DSSF, we are saddened to hear of yet another tragic incident involving gun violence at a school,” said David Beckham, AHC, FDAI, President of the DHI Board of Governors. “While such violence is not completely preventable, there are actionable measures and safety precautions, specifically pertaining to doors and locks, which can and should be taken to mitigate loss of life. As the leading bodies representing and advocating for door safety and security experts in the field, we, at DHI and DSSF, encourage school districts to work with certified professionals who are skillfully trained to assess and recommend door and hardware solutions that can ultimately save lives.”
James Tartre, President of the DSSF Board of Trustees, also shared, “In many similar school shooting scenarios, the type of doors in which the gunman gained access through were easily breached. While safety measures such as limiting entry points or providing additional security are viable options, the one physical thing keeping an assailant from entering any sort of building is a secure, code-compliant door.”
Door security and safety professionals, many of whom are specialized consultants and DHIcertified, play a critical role in assessing existing doors and hardware, recommending innovative yet cost-effective solutions, and resolving door safety and security issues.
DHI’s membership base encompasses design and construction experts, building code officials, local code experts, and professionals in the commercial door and hardware industry who possess the technical knowledge, skills, and expertise needed to provide life-saving, door and hardware solutions.
Consulting a door security and safety professional should be a basic requirement to ensure school safety. We encourage door and hardware professionals within the industry to join our efforts in amplifying this message by:
- DHI’s Ambassador Toolkit – consisting of talking points, sample social media posts, a Letter to the Editor template, relevant statistics, and links to valuable assets and resources – to help raise awareness of the door and hardware industry and its professionals.
- Using key messages outlined in the DHI School Security and Safety Policy Principles to draft a letter to local school board members, the local Parent Teachers Association (PTA), and school district leadership. We recommend using the Letter to the Editor template, included in the Ambassador Toolkit, to help craft your letter.
- Focusing your message on proven best practices related to life safety and security as it pertains to doors and hardware, rather than any perceived failures.
- Communicating to stakeholders that you are available to consult in and assist with the decisionmaking process, knowing that they may be presented with numerous solutions in the aftermath of recent tragedies.
For more information, please visit the DHI website, DSSF website, or contact DHI CEO Cedric Calhoun, FASAE, CAE, at ccalhoun@dhi.org.