AST March 2018 Magazine March 2018 Final -3.3.18 | Page 38

Volume 21
March 2018 Edition
Office spaces that promote the free flow of ideas and creativity, leave
little options to take shelter in an active shooter or other type of
emergency situation
In fact, most emergency protocols instruct staff to herd cus-
tomers in to the bathroom or storage room and lock the door,
if possible.
Since most bathroom entrances don’t lock and storeroom
doors are not ballistically hardened, this process is actually
making it easier for the “hunter.”
leave little options to take shelter in an active shooter or other
type of emergency situation.
In today’s society, it is very common to find high occupancy
spaces that are devoid of interior walls. They consist of open
spaces that host a variety of activities.
In security we teach that the best defense is distance. The idea is to foster and promote creativity and interaction, be less
stressful and foster a sense of community.
An example of this is, for fire (a threat) we teach get out of
the building at all costs. Many companies and large corporations find this to be a benefit to
their bottom–line.
The same should hold true for active shooter threats.
Unfortunately, most high occupancy spaces are currently designed
with only one exit.
While I don’t dispute that concept, I also don’t think there
has to be one or the other – the space is either creative or
it’s secure.
I believe it can be both. We just have to insist that it is.
A different approach to designing space will be needed. Provide Alternative Escape Routes at All Cost
Creativity Versus Security
Office spaces that promote the free flow of ideas and creativity,
There is legislation that implements fire safety codes, which
include labeling exits, training personnel in escape procedures,
signage and so on.
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