Front door mortice lock in flat

[Guest SimonStri]

Hi, Can you give advice? Does a new mortice lock on the front door of a first floor flat have to be the kind that can only be unlocked from the inside without a key because of fire regulations? I've been told by a lock smith that it does but from what I've read that only applies to second floor flats and above. Many thanks, Simon

[Tom Sutton]

All doors required for means of escape no matter where located and fitted with a mortice lock have to be the kind that can only be unlocked from the inside without a key. If it is a second lock and only used when the occupier leaves the premises, locking it from the outside, to provide additional security, then a standard type mortice lock is acceptable..  

[fei]

Hello.  Is this guidance that a door may be locked from the outside when the last person in a domestic property leaves still current?