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Preparing School Locking Strategies for Martyn’s Law

A photograph of school children raising their hands. There are approximately 10 children in the image sat in a well lit classroom. They are wearing blue school jumpers over white shirts.

Martyn’s Law, introduced to improve security in public spaces, is prompting schools and other organisations to re-evaluate their locking strategies. With safety under greater scrutiny, it’s important for facility managers and school administrators to understand the options available and ensure their buildings are prepared.

Classroom vs Clutch Cylinders: What You Need to Know

With the introduction of Martyn’s Law, building locking strategies—particularly in education and public spaces—are coming under greater scrutiny. One area often overlooked is the difference between Classroom and Clutch lock functions.

In a barricade situation, a Clutch Cylinder allows a keyholder to override the internal thumbturn from outside, whilst still allowing the door to be locked from inside the room. This helps maintain control of the space while preventing unauthorised access.

Traditionally, many educational buildings have used Classroom Function, but in certain situations a Clutch Function may provide a more appropriate solution.

How Access2 Can Help

At Access2, we can help convert Classroom cylinders to Clutch Function without affecting the existing master key system. This means schools can upgrade their locking strategy quickly and efficiently, ready for the next term or planned refurbishment.

If you’d like to review your current setup or discuss options, feel free to get in touch with our team.

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A photograph of Daniel Johnson, Access2's Regional Sales manager

Daniel Johnson Joins Access2 as Regional Sales Manager

We are pleased to announce that Daniel Johnson has joined the Access2 sales team as Regional Sales Manager. Many of you may already know Dan, who brings with him a wealth of industry experience. He joins Access2 from Zoo Hardware Ltd, where he held several key roles over two periods, including Business Development & Customer Service Manager and Workshop/Master Keying Manager, totalling more than 12 years of service. Between his time at Zoo Hardware, Dan also spent nearly two years at Carlisle Brass Ltd, working as Cylinder Product Specialist and Cylinder Workshop Manager, further strengthening his technical expertise and customer-focused approach. Please join us in welcoming Dan to Access2. 

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