Fire Door Locks & Handles: What You Can, Can’t and Really Shouldn’t Use

Offset Facilities Management
6 days ago
4 min read

A Scenario Most Building Managers Will Recognise

Picture this. You’re walking through your building doing your usual checks when something catches your eye. One of the fire doors just doesn’t look right. The lock seems different, maybe heavier, maybe it needs a key, or someone’s added an extra bolt for “security”.

You start thinking: Is this actually right? Is this even allowed on a fire door?

You’re not alone. Whenever we do Fire Risk Assessments we often find a lot of doors that fail because of extra bolts, padlocks and unregulated locks or lack of the correct locks and handles.

So let’s break this down in a simple, practical way.

Why Fire Door Locks Really Matter

Fire doors aren’t just normal doors with special paint. They are designed to slow the spread of fire and smoke and give people time to get out safely. But they only work properly when every part of the door set is correct and that includes the lock and handles.

If the wrong hardware is fitted, the door might not close properly, might not latch, or could even trap someone during an evacuation. In worst cases, it can fail entirely.

First Things to Check if You’re Unsure

If you think a fire door might have the wrong lock, here are some instant red flags:

The door doesn’t close or latch properly
It feels stiff, heavy or awkward to open
There’s a bolt, chain or padlock added for security
You need a key to exit the building
The hardware looks like normal domestic fittings

If you spot any of these, it’s worth getting it checked.

When Does a Fire Door Need a Deadbolt?

This often causes confusion, so here’s the simple version.

A deadbolt may be suitable when:

The fire door also needs to act as a security door
It protects areas like plant rooms, service cupboards or restricted zones
The door is not on a main escape route

Even then, the deadbolt must be fire-rated and must not prevent safe exit when the building is occupied.

A deadbolt should NOT be used when:

The door is part of an escape route
People need to leave quickly without a key
The door must allow single-action escape

If someone has to fiddle with keys during a fire, it’s unsafe and non-compliant.

When a Standard Lock Is Okay

In many cases, a fire-rated mortice lock or latch is perfectly fine. These are commonly used on internal fire doors in corridors and communal areas.

You can use these when:

The lock is fire-rated and certified
The door still allows free exit
It does not restrict emergency escape

These locks are designed to handle heat and pressure while still allowing the door to perform its fire-stopping role.

What About Clasps, Latches and Combination Locks?

This is where things often go wrong.

You can use these when:

They are specifically approved for fire door use
They allow immediate escape
They form part of a certified fire door system

You cannot use these when:

They delay opening
They require keys or codes to exit
They are surface-mounted or makeshift fittings
They’re padlocks, chains or slide bolts

Quite simply, if it looks improvised, it usually is — and it’s usually wrong.

Real-World Scenarios

Compliant: A communal corridor FD30 fire door with a fire-rated latch and lever handle that opens with one smooth movement.

Non-compliant: A stairwell fire door with a bolt and padlock that needs a key to open from inside.

Compliant:A plant room fire door with a fire-rated deadlock and panic bar internally for emergency exit.

Non-compliant:A shared hallway door fitted with a keypad lock that delays release.

And What About Handles?

Handles matter just as much as locks. They need to withstand heat and still function when it matters most.

You should stick to handles that are:

Fire-rated and tested
Easy to operate in one movement
Compatible with the certified door set

Common suitable options include:

Fire-rated lever handles
Panic bars or push pads
Fire-rated D-handles

What you want to avoid are decorative domestic handles that haven’t been tested in fire conditions.

What You Should Never Fit to a Fire Door

Just to be clear, these should never be used on fire doors:

Padlocks
Chains
Slide bolts
DIY security fixes
Non fire-rated digital locks
Magnetic holders without fire release

These are some of the most common reasons fire doors fail inspections.

The Simple Rule? Don’t Guess

If you’re ever unsure, the safest option is to get it checked properly.

At Offset Facilities Management, we have a certified Fire Door expert, Dean, who can inspect your doors, advise on compliance and confirm exactly what’s right (and what’s not). It’s always better to be certain than to assume.

In Plain English

Fire doors save lives — but only when everything on them is correct. The wrong lock or handle can completely undermine their purpose and put people at risk.

If a fire door doesn’t feel right, looks unusual or has been “adapted” for security, it’s worth getting it looked at sooner rather than later.

And if you’re ever unsure, Dean and our specialist team are always on hand to help, inspect and put things right.