Secure Daycare

 

Kevin Meyers from Broward County (FL) Fire Rescue sent in these pictures of an interesting daycare facility he recently discovered during an automatic fire alarm response. Operating in this structure could pose some interesting challenges. As you can tell from this series of photos this building was originally a residential structure that has undergone many additions. Most significant, every door and window opening has received some security upgrades.

The front door has a unique system securing it. The locks appear to be slide bolts that appear may be secured from the inside with a padlock. Remember, this type of occupancy is probably more worried about keeping people out while it is open for business, as opposed to other types of businesses. Unlike most other structures, we would likely encounter more "security" problems while operating in this building during normal working hours.

A set of irons should be able to get this opened without a problem. Treat the gate just like a outward swinging door.

It appears that the security screens securing the windows are not extremely substantial and would not be too much of an issue. Some quick work with the halligan, prying the screen from the building, would more than likely take them off in no time. The challenge is the sheer number of secured openings. scroll through all of the pictures again, every window has been secured. the detail below shows that it appears these screens have been homemade out of expanded metal and square tubing.

These security measures can certainly be defeated, but will undoubtedly slow down out efforts. The key to success would be to start softening the structure (in a systematic method) as soon as units begin arriving on scene. As if a working incident in a day care wouldn't have been enough to worry about.