An accidental lockdown at Sippican School last month has prompted Marion School Committee members to explore an additional security measure.

At the committee’s Wednesday meeting, Chair Christine Marcolini suggested administrators consider installing Bearacade doorstops in classrooms.

Last year, the product was purchased for classrooms in the out of town school where Marcolini works. When deployed the stops prevent anyone from pushing or pulling a door, and they can withstand 4,800 pounds of external force.

“This would just add an extra layer of security,” said Gene Jones, facilities director.

Jones said the Bearacade doorstops are lightweight, low cost and easy to install. When not in use, they are stored near classroom doors.

A small hole is drilled near the door for installation. During a lockdown, a plastic wedge is slid beneath the door and secured with a metal pin.

Because the locks would be used on potential fire exits, they must meet state building codes.

Jones said he was looking into that.

“If fire and police and the building inspector OK it, we should be good,” Jones said.

In the meantime, committee members will consider the pros and cons of the devices.

Marcolini said she placed the lock discussion on the agenda in the wake of a false lockdown that occurred on Nov. 10.

On that day, students and staff were alarmed when a recorded voice announced via loudspeaker that the building was on lockdown.

Police were notified and security protocols were followed. Officers swept the building while students and teachers waited in classrooms.

Principal Lyn Rivet and Superintendent Doug White praised Marion police for their swift response.

“They were incredible and stayed well after they had cleared the building,” Rivet said. “They went into the cafeteria and spoke to the children and were a calming force.”

Jones explained that the recorded announcement was triggered when a staff member inadvertently dialed an emergency code into a classroom phone.

“It was set up so anyone could engage a lockdown procedure by dialing the code into the phone,” Jones said of the feature.

The outdated security feature has since been overtaken by A.L.I.C.E protocols. A.L.I.C.E. stands for Alert-Lockdown-Inform-Choice-Evacuate and is the new safety program adopted by tri-town schools last year. The policy teaches students and staff different techniques in an emergency situation, such as leaving the building if safe to do so. The previous policy instructed teachers to keep students inside classrooms until first responders gave the all clear.

Since the lockdown, that recording has been erased and can’t be activated.

“So it won’t happen again,” Jones said.