School Security Booths: Strengthening Campus Safety with Guard Houses and Control Stations

Keeping schools safe requires more than locked doors and security cameras. As threats have evolved, so too must the measures designed to deter, detect, and delay potential intruders. One of the most effective tools in a layered school security plan is the addition of a school security booth or guard house at the campus perimeter. These modular, prefabricated structures provide entry control, serve as deterrents, and offer a central hub for guard control stations.

Why Schools Need More Than Locked Doors

The National Center for Education Statistics lists controlled access to buildings, ID badges, uniforms, cameras, and other protocols as standard security measures. While these steps help, many only take effect after a threat is already inside the building. By that point, precious time has been lost.

A guard booth at the school entrance establishes a secure buffer between the outside world and the student population. This gives security staff the ability to intercept, assess, and respond to a threat before it reaches classrooms or administrative offices.

Early Threat Detection and Response

Placing a school guard house at the entry point allows staff to:

• Monitor and approve all incoming vehicles and visitors
• Conduct quick checks for proper identification or credentials
• Notify administration and law enforcement immediately if a threat is detected

Visible Deterrent to Potential Threats

The presence of an entry control point booth signals that the school takes security seriously. Unauthorized visitors are less likely to attempt entry when faced with a visible checkpoint. At the same time, students, parents, and faculty gain peace of mind knowing a security presence is always on watch.

Centralized Guard Control Stations

A guard booth for a college campus or K-12 school can function as more than a shelter. It can house:

• Security camera monitoring stations
• Communication equipment for quick alerts
• Visitor management tools
• Lighting and climate control for guard comfort

By consolidating these functions in one modular unit, schools create an efficient hub for their perimeter security operations.

Every campus is different, and security needs vary. Prefabricated guard houses from Panel Built can be customized to fit specific requirements, including:

• Size options from small guard houses for single-entry schools to larger booths for multiple officers
• Bullet-resistant doors, glass, and wall systems for higher-threat environments
• Integrated technology, such as badge readers, license plate recognition, and access control systems
• Quick-ship models for schools that need protection in place before the next semester begins

For larger campuses with multiple access points, multiple booths can be deployed to cover all entryways.

Going Beyond the Perimeter: Ballistic Doors and Safe Zones

In addition to perimeter security, ballistic-rated doors can provide protection within the school itself. These UL 752-rated doors and windows can be installed in administrative offices, safe rooms, or main hallways to provide critical shelter if a threat breaches the first layer of defense.

Combined with modular guard houses, ballistic doors ensure that schools have multiple lines of protection, deterring intruders at the perimeter and safeguarding students and staff inside.

Schools face increasing pressure to strengthen physical security.

• Relying only on locked doors leaves vulnerabilities; a multi-layered approach is essential.
• Security guard booths at entry points provide early detection, deterrence, and communication capabilities.
• Prefabricated guard houses are fast to install, customizable, and scalable for any campus.
• Integrating ballistic doors creates additional protected spaces inside the school.
  
  

Enhance Your School Security with Panel Built

Panel Built has supplied modular security booths and guard houses to schools and universities nationwide. Our prefabricated solutions are engineered for durability, safety, and quick installation, helping schools strengthen security without disrupting daily operations. 

Contact us today to request a quote and learn how we can help you build a safer campus for students and staff.