My law school’s library has a unique mechanism which activates in case of fire. Should someone or something trip the fire alarm, along with the standard klaxon, a veritable portcullis descends from the roof and blocks the main entrance. I mean it. A steel grating descends and blocks the entrance.
I can just imagine the thought process that would invite this measure. “If there’s a fire, people will steal books! Let’s make it harder for people to get out!”
Of course, this means that the innocent students will have just as much difficulty vacating the burning library along with the would-be thieves, but that’s just the price that has to be paid. Oh, and the firemen might have some trouble getting inside.
What makes this really bizarre is that the fire escapes remain unlocked. So the only thing the grating does is decrease the number of exits people can leave through.
Posted by napkinini 