NEW HAVEN, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In just the last 18 months alone (between December 2012 and June 2014) there have been 74 school shootings in the US. In response, an influx of products have hit the market in an effort to help save lives in the wake of these seemingly inevitable tragedies. Recognizing the need for a simple, strong and highly effective solution, The Bilco Company, a manufacturer of specialty access products, has teamed up with Troy Lowe, decorated military veteran, firefighter and SWAT team member, to manufacture and distribute the BarracudaTM intruder defense system, a door security device designed to protect occupants against building trespassers.
The Barracuda is a free-standing device designed to lock down virtually any commercial door in an emergency situation. The product is available in different models to protect inward and outward swinging doors, and is adjustable to accommodate varying door widths. A product demonstration video can be accessed via Bilco’s YouTube channel with this link.
As a SWAT team medic, Lowe works to prevent shooting tragedies in his community through active shooter response training programs and has instructed thousands of people on how to react during an emergency lockdown situation. He has seen firsthand how quickly people panic and lose control over their fine motor skills during these simple training exercises. This experience helped Lowe recognize the need for a door security product that was simple to use and highly effective in securing a door.
“From the beginning, my goal has always been to keep as many people as safe as possible and have found that the best way to accomplish this is to deny the intruder access to building occupants,” said Lowe. “We have been using Barracuda intruder defense system in our training programs and have found that individuals are confident and comfortable with the simplicity and effectiveness of the devices.”
The Barracuda DSI model protects inward swinging doors. With the door closed, the product is placed on the floor and the user slides the metal plates under the door. Pushing outward on the handles engage the plates to the exterior door jamb and the device is securely locked in place by simply inserting a pin. To secure an outward swinging door, the DSO model is positioned so that the bar rests on the door jamb on either side of a closed door and the built-in hook is placed over the door handle. The device is secured by spinning the turn handle until it is snug in place. Finally, the DCS model is the fastest and easiest way to secure a door in an emergency situation. It simply slides over the door closer to prevent the scissor action that would allow the door to open. The DCS model can be used as a standalone product or as an accessory to buy more time for installation of either of the other two models.
“It is clear that the security industry is in need of an innovative product that can quickly and safely secure rooms in schools and commercial buildings in the event of an emergency or lockdown situation,” said Tom Crowley, Vice President of Sales and Marketing with The Bilco Company. “We are excited about the opportunity to be working with Troy Lowe to address this growing security problem and to bring his inventions to the market.”
The Barracuda is an American made product that features heavy-duty steel construction and a durable powder coat finish. The free-standing devices (not permanently attached to door) require no installation costs and can be easily transferred between access points. The lightweight design allows for easy deployment allowing a door to be secured in a matter of seconds in an emergency or lockdown situation. All models are supplied with a wall-mounting rack for convenient storage.
For more information on the Barracuda and Bilco’s other security products, please visit www.bilco-barracuda.com.
About Bilco
For over 85 years, The Bilco Company has been a building industry pioneer in the design and development of specialty access products. Over these years, the company has built a reputation among homeowners, builders, architects, and engineers for products that are unequaled in design and workmanship. Bilco – an ISO 9001 certified company – offers a line of egress window wells and Bilco basement doors that improve the look, function, and safety of basement areas, along with a complete line of commercial access products. For more information, visit www.bilco.com.
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