Lockdown drill

Lockdown drills are means of practicing preparedness in a business (such as a school) in the event of an intruder or criminal act. Generally an announcement is given that the building is going on an immediate lockdown. At that point, all occupants present at the time of the drill go to a room and lock all doors and windows tight. They must remain still until a "clear signal" has been issued. If emergency is really life-threatening, then occupants present at the time of the emergency will evacuate to a meeting zone well away from the premises (scene of the emergency).

Frequency

Most schools,businesses, and agencies will conduct a lockdown drill yearly. Schools may do a yearly lockdown drill as a replacement for or in addition to a fire drill. Unlike a fire drill, lockdown drills need not be too frequent.

chools

schools will do a lockdown drill one or two times per year. Some drills will be a standard lock-in until "clear signal" while occasionally an evacuation will take place. In an emergency depending on the severity, students may need to go home instead of returning to regularly scheduled class. Some schools/counties have emergency codes.