School Safety Inspection Checklist
This school facility checklist plays a significant role in ensuring the quality of education, as it is almost the sole method by which governments can ensure and evaluate the safety of their students and employees working in the school. Moreover, governments are unable to implement the national policies and goals without school inspection.
MaintainX
07/21/2022
School Safety Inspection Checklist
This school facility checklist plays a significant role in ensuring the quality of education, as it is almost the sole method by which governments can ensure and evaluate the safety of their students and employees working in the school. Moreover, governments are unable to implement the national policies and goals without school inspection.
Exterior
Fences
Are all grounds fenced?
Only the playground is fenced?
No fencing, but border definition exists.
Are all athletic fields fenced?
Are all fences properly maintained?
Border definition type:
Explain:
Height of any fencing:
Explain:
Suggestions for Improvement(s)
GATES
Are gates secured by quality heavy-duty padlocks after hours?
Suggestions for Improvement(s)
LIGHTING
Are exterior lights adequate?
Is there lighting at all building entrances?
Is there lighting at all potential intrusion sights?
Do athletic facilities have adequate lighting?
Are all lights mounted at 12 to 14 feet in height?
Do exterior lights reduce shadowed areas near the school?
Do lights have break resistant glass?
Are light lenses cleaned annually?
Are lights checked monthly for inoperative fixtures/burned out bulbs and repaired?
Suggestions for Improvement(s)
BUILDING AND GROUNDS-GENERAL
Do sidewalks and curbing appear to be in good condition?
Are the school grounds kept free of trash and debris?
Are ladders and roof access means secured?
Are dumpsters and other equipment placed a minimum of 10 feet from buildings?
Are exterior electrical, maintenance, and mechanical rooms kept locked?
Are all gasoline/diesel fuel storage areas free of any fertilizers or other oxidizing materials?
Are trash cans secured to posts or other anchors?
Are trash cans emptied at the end of each school day?
Is there a schedule in place for inspection and repair of locks, lockers, outbuildings, electrical plates, playground equipment, and fire alarms?
Is all vandalism reported to local law enforcement?
Are school exterior walls free of graffiti?
Is all graffiti photographed, reported to local law enforcement, and removed within 24 hours?
Is any pattern of vandalism, violence, or other problem reported to school administration?
Is playground equipment connected with tamper resistant fasteners?
Are soccer goals tethered while in use or secured by chains and locks?
Suggestions for Improvement(s)
SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS
Are there exterior surveillance cameras?
Are there interior surveillance cameras?
Are the surveillance cameras monitored?
Are the surveillance cameras recording?
Are the surveillance cameras positioned to allow for optimal coverage?
If recording cameras are used, is someone assigned the responsibility for viewing, changing the storage media, and storage of recordings?
Are signs posted giving notice that surveillance cameras and recordings are in use or in periodic use to prevent liability issues arising from their presence?
Are surveillance cameras permanently affixed or mobile?
Are the controls and DVRs housed in secured rooms?
Is access to such rooms limited to authorized personnel?
Are DVRs password protected so only authorized personnel can record footage?
Where are the surveillance cameras located?
SECURITY ALARM SYSTEM
Is there a security alarm system?
Is the security alarm system monitored?
Does the system have a power failure back-up?
Are security alarms tested at least once every six months?
Suggestions for Improvement(s)
LANDSCAPING
Are all shrubs trimmed to a maximum height of three feet?
Are all trees trimmed up to eight feet to the lowest branch?
Are all trees at least ten feet from any buildings?
Are prickly or thorn shrubs used to discourage pedestrian traffic in unsafe locations?
Suggestions for Improvement(s)
SIGNAGE AND ENTRANCES
Is there signage designating the primary public access point?
Is there signage instructing all visitors that they must report to the office?
Are “Drug Free School Zone” signs posted?
Are “Gang Free School Zone” signs posted?
Suggestions for Improvement(s)
DOORS
Do all exit doors provide direct and unobstructed access to a sidewalk?
Do all exterior doors “self close” and lock properly?
Are doors constructed of steel, aluminum alloy, or solid core hardwood?
Are glass doors framed and made of tempered glass?
Are double doors secured with multiple point flush bolts?
Are exposed door hinges equipped with non-removable hinges?
Are door frames made of heavy metal?
Are all doors numbered with signs at least six inches in height for aid of first responders?
Suggestions for Improvement(s)
WINDOWS
Is Lexan™, polycarbonate, or other scratch proof, break-resistant coating used for windows?
Are all ground floor window locks functional?
Are all windows intact?
Are all basement windows secured with grating or well covers?
Suggestions for Improvement(s)
KEY CONTROL
Does the school have a key control policy in place?
Does the school conduct an annual inventory of keys?
Does your school have a Knox box or other secure box outside the school building where master keys are located for use by first responders?
Is one staff member assigned to key control?
Is this person identified by position in the crisis management plan?
Suggestions for Improvement(s)
WALKWAY COVERS, LEDGES, OTHER ROOF ACCESS
Are natural climbing facilitators removed from areas where they may provide access to walkway covers, lower roofs, awnings and/or ledges?
Are ladders secured to prevent access to walkway covers, lower roofs, awnings and/or ledges?
Suggestions for Improvement(s)
MODULAR/PORTABLE CLASSROOMS
Are modular classrooms locked when not in use?
Are portable classrooms locked at all times?
Are portable walkways, handrails, and steps in good condition?
Are portable wooden steps and ramps adequately coated with non-slip surfacing paint?
Can the fire alarm be heard sufficiently from each portable classroom?
Do portable classrooms have two-way communication with the office?
Is there two-way communication between all classrooms, workstations, and the office?
Is there a secondary means of communication at the school (e.g., bullhorns, handheld radios)?
Suggestions for Improvement(s)
DESIGN AND USE
Do driving lanes have directional markings?
Are fire lanes marked with approved fire lane signs, yellow curbing, and clear of any obstruction?
Do faculty and students park in the same lot?
Is there a designated parking area for students arriving and leaving at atypical times?
Are there signs designating the speed limit?
Are speed bumps/humps or other traffic calming devices used?
Are student drop-off areas away from other high traffic areas?
Is visitor parking close to the main entrance?
Are parking lots clearly observable from the school?
Are parking lots monitored during the day?
Is parking controlled by a decal system?
Are assigned parking spaces specified by number instead of name/position?
Is student access to parking areas restricted to times of arrival and dismissal?
Are surveillance cameras used to monitor parking lots?
If yes, does the camera system allow for recording?
Are there designated bicycle parking areas?
Are bike racks monitored or observed by staff or security?
Are all areas accessible to patrol vehicles?
Is staff on duty in the morning and afternoon to monitor lots?
Suggestions for Improvement(s)
BUS LOADING AREA
Are bus loading areas clearly marked and restricted to other vehicles during use?
Is staff assigned to monitor bus areas?
Is staff assigned to all other areas during drop off and pick up of students?
Suggestions for Improvement(s)
OTHER TRAFFIC
Do vendors have scheduled time periods for delivery?
Suggestions for Improvement(s)
EXIT SIGNS AND EMERGENCY LIGHTS
Are all exit signs and emergency lights functioning and properly mounted?
Are clear and precise emergency evacuation maps posted in critical locations?
Are these areas included in the school’s scheduled maintenance plan?
Does the plan address procedures for reporting light outages?
Suggestions for Improvement(s)
INTERIOR LIGHTING
Do all rooms, stairwells, and halls have proper lighting?
Are these areas included in the school’s scheduled maintenance plan?
Does the plan address procedures for reporting light outages?
Suggestions for Improvement(s)
IDENTIFICATION BADGES
Are students issued school ID badges?
Are ID badges issued to all full- and part-time faculty and staff?
Are students required to display the badge while on school property?
Are faculty and staff required to display the badge while on school property?
Suggestions for Improvement(s)
RECORD SECURITY
Are computers containing students’ personal information password protected when not in use?
Are hard files stored in locked file cabinets that are secured from access and common view?
Does the school have a policy addressing the information, use, and security of student records?
Does the school have a policy addressing the secure disposal of student records?
Are personnel trained on these procedures?
Suggestions for Improvement(s)
PROPERTY INVENTORY
Does the school inventory property annually?
Are all audio-visual equipment, computers, and other valuable school property marked with an identifiable number?
Are personnel who receive property required to sign for it?
Are new items added to inventory within 30 days of receipt?
Suggestions for Improvement(s)
TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION
What type of two-way communication does the school use?
Are modular classrooms equipped with a means of two-way communication?
Are these systems checked regularly?
Is someone identified who is responsible for checking two-way communication systems and is it in policy?
Suggestions for Improvement(s)
ENTRANCE LOBBY
Is the entrance lobby visible from the main office?
Are all visitors required to enter through one designated entrance?
Are visitors notified by signage of the required sign-in and sign-out?
Are all visitors required to wear a visitor‘s badge while on school property?
If there are multiple buildings on site, is there one main entrance per building?
Are all exterior doors locked during school hours with the exception of the main entrance?
Is the sex offender registry used to screen visitors?
Does staff confirm visitor identification and check against a student’s emergency data card?
Suggestions for Improvement(s)
HALLWAYS
Are all hallways kept clear and free of slip, trip, and fall hazards?
Is a means of observation provided (e.g., convex-mirrors, teachers) outside of classrooms during class change?
Are unused lockers secured?
Suggestions for Improvement(s)
CAFETERIA
Are knives, box cutters, etc., stored securely when not in use?
Is there a cash control policy in place?
Is the walk-in refrigerator equipped with a safety handle on the inside?
Is the kitchen equipped with an “ABC Class” extinguisher and a “K-Class” fire extinguisher for vegetable oil fires?
Can cafeteria doors be secured?
Is the cafeteria monitored during lunchtime by faculty, staff, volunteers, school resource officer, or others?
Suggestions for Improvement(s)
RESTROOMS
Are restrooms monitored by faculty and/or staff regularly throughout the school day?
Are restroom doors secured open and privacy panels installed at the entrance?
Are restrooms equipped with fixed ceiling panels?
Does bathroom door hardware prevent locking from inside?
Is graffiti photographed, reported to law enforcement, and removed within 24 hours?
Suggestions for Improvement(s)
CLASSROOMS
Are door vision panels made of tempered glass?
Are door vision panels clear and unobstructed?
Are door vision panels capable of being covered during a lockdown?
Are locks on the classroom doors adequate in a lockdown situation?
Do interior doors lock from the inside?
Do interior doors shut and lock properly?
Are all unoccupied rooms/areas secured?
Are chemicals properly stored in a designated, secure chemical storage area?
Are flammable and corrosive chemicals stored in appropriate containers and locations?
Is safety equipment (goggles, eyewash stations, showers, etc.) easily accessible in the science room?
Are lab fume hoods in good working order and vented directly to the outside?
Do kilns vent directly to the outside?
Are students’ names listed on the outside of the classroom?
Are evacuation maps clearly posted with primary and secondary routes of egress?
Suggestions for Improvement(s)
HIGH RISK CLASSROOMS AND AREAS
Are areas at high risk for theft/loss (e.g., music room, computer lab) equipped with high security locks and alarms?
Are areas at high risk for theft/loss intentionally not identified by signs designating their use and/or contents?
Are school files and records maintained in locked cabinets?
Are all medications double locked and syringes secured in Sharps containers at all times?
Are reinforced poles used to protect gas and water mains from damage by vehicles?
Suggestions for Improvement(s)
GYMNASIUM AND/OR AUDITORIUM
Are locker rooms monitored by faculty and/or staff?
If the facility provides open access to this portion of the school, is there a retractable gate securing the hallway leading to the remainder of the school?
Is a designated individual responsible for conducting a walk-through check and securing the facility after use by outside entities?
Can the gym and auditorium be locked from the inside in the event it is necessary to go into lockdown when occupied?
Suggestions for Improvement(s)
CUSTODIAL CLOSETS AND MECHANICAL ROOMS
Are all custodial closets and mechanical rooms kept locked?
Are mechanical, electrical, and boiler rooms free of combustible storage?
Is the working space designated for all electrical equipment free of storage of any non-related materials?
Are restricted areas marked as such?
Are all electrical panels locked?
Have old or unused chemicals been properly disposed of rather than stored in the custodial closet?
Are electrical panels easily accessed with at least three feet of clear space in front of the panel door?
Suggestions for Improvement(s)
Source: MaintainX (Community Member)