Many schools are considering adding physical security measures like bulletproof doors and windows. However, administrative goals and education budgets are often mismatched. Rather than compromise on security, the best way to stay within budget is to be very strategic about installing ballistic barriers.
Bulletproofing every single door and window of a school could easily run into six figures. It isn’t practical or feasible, and in most cases it is not an effective security measure. In this blog, we break down the average material costs of securing the most important areas of a school. While this information is not a quote or price guarantee, it should help you understand the variables that go into each project so you can plan your budget accordingly.
The Biggest Expense: Bulletproof Glass for the School’s Main Entrance
The primary goal of any school security system is to prevent an incident from occurring. Avoiding an incident means keeping potential victims safe, preventing trauma, and preserving a secure learning environment.
Most schools funnel everyone through a single main entrance and fortify that entrance with bulletproof glass for maximum safety.
The best practice is to make this entrance fully bulletproof with a secure vestibule or ballistic mantrap. Here, visitors would have their ID verified, and either they pass verification and enter the building, or they are denied entry and possibly kept in the mantrap until authorities arrive.
Effective Bulletproof School Doors Blend into the School Environment
Bulletproof glass in school entryways keeps the open, inviting feel of the entrance. In fact, in most cases, bulletproof doors can be made to match the existing doors so that people don’t even realize there’s been a change. While the heavy weight of bulletproof glass can require additional structural reinforcement, keeping an open line of sight is an important security measure.
The cost for a bulletproof entry system can vary quite a bit, because it depends on the number and type of doors, level of protection, and the size of the entrance. Bulletproof doors can cost in the low thousands, depending on the style and level of protection, and bulletproof glass can cost as low as $65 a square foot, not including shipping, installation, or framing.
Material cost of bulletproofing the main entrance: $30,000 - $100,000
The Cost of Containment for Internal Doorways and Safe Rooms
A security system’s secondary goal is containing any unauthorized persons that have gained entry. By sectioning off the different areas in a school, you can preserve the safety of an entire hallway of student classrooms with one set of ballistic doors.
Cafeteria
The cafeteria is typically one of a school’s central hubs. This is a logical place to add containment measures by installing ballistic doors at each of the cafeteria entrances.
Many buildings use similar measures for containment, but every school is different. If you’d like to ensure that you’re adding security measures that are both high-impact and cost-effective, you should talk to a security expert for advice on the best way to add ballistic barriers to your facility. TSS founder and CEO Jim Richards filmed a walk-through of a real school, giving practical advice for educators and administrators who want to improve safety. We encourage you to watch his video for more information on best practices for bulletproofing schools.
Material cost of bulletproofing cafeteria doors: $10,000 - $80,000
Hallways
Long corridors of classrooms can be cordoned off with bulletproof doors, creating an additional layer of security and containment. The door cost depends on the design style, material, and bulletproofing level.
Material cost of bulletproofing internal entryways: $10,000 - $80,000
Safe Rooms
Finally, an internal multi-purpose room can function as a safe room. Depending on the room, schools have the option to fully bulletproof the door, any windows, and the bulletproof wall panels. The cost of this project is dependent on the size of the room, but bulletproof fiberglass wall panels (also called bulletproof drywall) costs $12-16 per square foot, not including shipping or installation, for UL protection levels 1 through 3.
Material cost of bulletproofing an internal safe room: $15,000 - $30,000
Lead Time and Installation for Bulletproof Glass in Schools
As with any construction project, the greater the scope of the project, the more time and labor-intensive it can be.
A typical TSS project lead time is 10+ weeks. Custom finishing and hardware can increase the manufacturing time. To ensure materials are ready for your target installation date, it’s best to get started ahead of the minimum lead time. This means contacting your bulletproofing provider well in advance of when you’d like your project to be completed. Once the product is ready, shipping time can take a week or more. Shipping costs vary, so they aren’t included in the estimates in this blog.
Installation cost and timing is very dependent on the scope of the project, the experience of the installers you’re working with, and any challenges encountered during construction. Again, installation depends on your unique project. For a more accurate and detailed quote, please contact TSS.
We have our own team of installers who can travel all over the US to complete the bulletproof barrier security project for your school. Our team is familiar with the characteristics and limitations of ballistic barrier materials and can help ensure that installation goes smoothly. We are happy to give you a quote for the installation of your project and work with you to ensure the installation schedule does not disrupt the school day for your students.
Typical lead time for school ballistic barriers: 2-4 months
Get Started on a Quote Today
At TSS, we understand that education budgets need to be deployed strategically, and that you have strict reporting requirements for every dollar you spend. We are happy to work with you on a bulletproof security system that maximizes your spending without compromising on safety. Our security experts can provide guidance on the most significant and effective locations for physical security upgrades based on your project budget.
If you’d like to get started with a quote, please call us at 888.591.9483 or fill out our online contact form. We’ll gladly help you narrow down the specifics of cost and lead time for your school security project.