Mag lock only fitted to a Keep Locked fire door

[Guest Neil Gardner]

Is a mag lock being fitted to a Keep locked fire door acceptable? No other lock present. On a riser/services/cleaners store room etc. 

My intuition is no but I'm happy to corrected.

 

 

 

[Neil Ashdown MAFDI]

Section 6 of the document 'Code of Practice: Hardware for Fire & Escape Doors' at  http://firecode.org.uk/Code_of_Practice_hardware_for_fire_and_escape_doors.pdf   states that locks must be suitably fire rated for the purpose. Critical recommendations (see below) can be found on page  61  

 

 

[Neil Gardner]

1 hour ago, Neil Ashdown MAFDI said:

Section 6 of the document 'Code of Practice: Hardware for Fire & Escape Doors' at  http://firecode.org.uk/Code_of_Practice_hardware_for_fire_and_escape_doors.pdf   states that locks must be suitably fire rated for the purpose. Critical recommendations (see below) can be found on page  61  

 

 

Thanks Neil, so like everything else in the world of fire doors,  if the mag lock in question has been tested, fitted and maintained correctly its a potential yes a mag lock lock alone is sufficient.

Found this document for a particular model which has been tested. Does the lack of a CE mark have an impact, or is the test data enough? 

Mag Lock Test report.pdf

[Mike North]

Mag locks are perfectly acceptable as long as the door cert allows them.

Care must be taken when they are used on an escape route, they should fail safe in the unlocked position when the fire alarm is activated.

[Neil Ashdown MAFDI]

If the mag-lock releases when the alarm sounds then the locked cupboard door would be open?

Applying the best practice guidance, the lock should be CE or UKCA marked to BS EN 12209  -  the mag-lock will not comply.

[Neil Gardner]

My initial thoughts were that on this KEEP LOCKED fire door a mag lock would not be suitable, as electrical failure would result in it unlocking. I am going to recommend mag lock is removed.

[AnthonyB]

Access control doesn't need a fire alarm interface if not part of means of escape, the last thing it should do is failsafe - the main issue with the use of this type of lock is that it most cases it affects the integrity of the door & does meet the appropriate standard.

On an existing installation from a risk assessment point of view the main question is is will it keep the door shut for the intended duration of the fire door.