Creating a Safer World

Choosing the right locks and door hardware.

• By Karen Keating
• Mar 06, 2025

Managing and supporting locks and door hardware within a facility is a big responsibility. A building’s security needs to change over time as occupancy and use demands evolve, which can make it even more challenging.

Knowing the basics of common door hardware, including locks, panic devices and door closers, can be effective in daily operations and emergency situations. Building managers are always looking for ways to improve safety and should do their due diligence on the types of locks and door hardware available to them.

Compliance Always Comes First
Fire and life safety requirements should always be the top priority when it comes to building security. Staying in compliance with all fire and life safety codes is imperative. In almost all locations, doors along paths of egress must be able to be unlatched with a single motion, in the direction of egress. All facilities must adhere to local building and fire codes to protect the occupants.

Codes will vary by location and are typically based on the model codes of the International Code Council (ICC) and/or the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA); the well-known door hardware industry blog idighardware.com makes it easy to access this information.

Locks and door hardware should meet the requirements set by the American National Standards Institute and Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (ANSI/BHMA); they receive product grades for performance benchmarks in each applicable ANSI/BHMA standard. An overview of how they are evaluated and certified can be found in the Hardware Highlights section on buildershardware.com. They must also meet the criteria outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design and other adopted accessibility standards.

Choose Your Door Locks Wisely
Customers love choice when it comes to door locks. With a myriad of options available, including mechanical, electrified, and electronics, it is important to understand the benefits of each type. Let us break down the options.

Mortise locks. Mortise locks require a pocket that is cut into the door edge to hold the lock body; they are inherently more robust and secure versus other lock types. While it takes more time to install due to the door prep, they typically enable the broadest range of standard and specialty functions. The mortise design provides the flexibility to support the widest array of key cylinder types as well as a variety of aesthetically pleasing trim options.

Cylindrical locks. Cylindrical locks, sometimes called bored locks, are popular due to easier installation and door preparation. Although they provide an adequate variety of function and keying options, they do not have the same level of flexibility as mortise locks.

Electrified locks. Can be either mortise or cylindrical in design and feature the addition of a small motor or solenoid that electromechanically moves the locking mechanism. These types of locks can be used with a switch to remotely lock or unlock the door, or as part of an integrated access control solution.

This article originally appeared in the March / April 2025 issue of Security Today.