Public Schools—Ballistic Attacks: Assessment and Mitigation

When developing the safety and security measures for a school building, design professionals might consider utilizing federally recommended design process to mitigate risks, such as Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) that focuses on changes to the physical and social environment that will reinforce positive behavior through proper design and effective use of the built environment, reducing fear and crime while improving the quality of life. Such approach considers an array of strategies rather than focusing on limited mitigations such as structural hardening or installing electronic security devises. A risk-based methodology is presented as a tool to develop credible threats at the school site, and justify the selection of appropriate ballistic mitigation strategies. This article will highlight the inherent ballistic rating, if any, for a typical public school building. Furthermore, cost effective mitigation strategies will be highlighted.