It’s a question that comes up often—especially in shared buildings or premises with security concerns.
Can a fire door be locked? And if so, how do you balance fire safety with the need to control access?
The short answer is: Yes, a fire door can be locked, but there are some very important conditions that must be met to stay both compliant and safe.
Here’s what you need to know.
Understanding the Purpose of a Fire Door
Fire doors are designed to:
- Contain fire and smoke for a defined period (e.g. FD30 or FD60)
- Protect escape routes
- Enable safe evacuation during an emergency
If a fire door is locked in a way that prevents people escaping—or emergency services entering—it could endanger lives and breach the law.
So, any locking device must allow for safe and easy exit, without the use of a key, code or specialist knowledge.
Final Exit Doors vs. Internal Doors
It helps to distinguish between different types of fire doors.
Final Exit Doors
These lead directly out of the building to a place of safety. They:
- Must not be locked in a way that prevents people escaping
- Should be fitted with panic bars, push pads, or other “single action” exit mechanisms
- Must comply with standards such as BS EN 179 (for push pads) or BS EN 1125 (for panic bars)
Final exits must be kept unlocked during business or operational hours so that staff, customers, or visitors can evacuate immediately if needed. Locking these doors during occupied periods—without automatic release—can be a serious fire safety breach and is likely to result in enforcement action from the Fire and Rescue Service.
In a fire, building occupants should be able to exit through these doors quickly and without delay, even in darkness or smoke.
Internal Fire Doors
These may separate different compartments, stairwells, plant rooms or individual flats. They:
- Can be locked, but must not obstruct escape if they’re on an escape route
- Should use locks that can be opened from the inside without a key
- Often have thumb-turns, push bar override, or access-controlled release systems
In residential buildings, for example, a flat entrance door might have a lock on the outside, but it must allow easy egress from the inside.
Can I Lock a Communal Fire Door?
Yes—but it depends on the location and fire risk. For example:
- A door to a plant room or electrical intake cupboard may be locked to prevent unauthorised access, provided it’s not part of an escape route
- A communal stairwell door must not be locked in a way that stops people evacuating from any part of the building
In these cases, you’ll typically need a mechanism that unlocks automatically when the fire alarm activates, or one that allows keyless egress from the danger side.
What About Magnetic Locks or Access Control Systems?
These are common in offices, secure facilities, and some residential buildings. To comply with fire safety regulations:
- They must fail safe (i.e. unlock) in the event of fire or power failure
- There must be a manual override – such as a green emergency break-glass unit nearby
- The system must be tested regularly
This is particularly important under BS 7273-4, which covers the operation of release mechanisms for door hold-open and locking systems on escape routes.
Fire Risk Assessment Considerations
Whether or not a fire door can be locked should always be considered as part of a fire risk assessment. The assessment should ask:
- Is the door part of an escape route?
- Can all users open it easily in an emergency?
- Are vulnerable occupants (e.g. children, disabled people) able to exit safely?
- Is there appropriate signage and lighting?
A risk-based approach ensures both security and safety are taken into account.
How ESI Can Help
At ESI: Electrical Safety Inspections, we help property managers, housing providers and business owners across Farnborough, Camberley, Reading, Guildford, and surrounding areas stay compliant with the latest fire safety regulations.
We offer:
- Fire door inspections and reporting
- Support with access control compliance
- Fire risk assessments tailored to your building
- Advice on legal locking systems for flats, offices, shops and more
If you’re unsure whether your fire door locks meet current standards—or need advice on balancing safety with security—our team is here to help.
Get in touch with ESI today to book a fire safety consultation and keep your premises safe and compliant.
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