Hi all, 

I just wanted to see if anyone had any information on when and where magnectic locks can be used. In my particluar case the magnetic locks i am looking to have installed will deactiviate if the alarm sounds, therefore free movement through the building and along fire escape routes, final exit points can be maintained. 

Someone else however has said that you are not permitted to have magnectic locks on internal doors along a fire escape route. Can anyone provide me any further informaiton here? The person who has said this may just be being argumentative, but as he has raised the question i want to check if my own interpretation and knowledge is correct. 

To add some context he is saying they can be installed along other doors in the building just not doors that are on main fire escape routes. This makes no sense to me as lets say people travelled along an escape route but the final exit was blocked by fire, they would only have to turn around and follow another route out the building and transit through doors that have magnetic locks installed. 

To me it just sounds weird if this is indeed the case as the magnectic locks wont operate anyway if the alarm sounds. 

Thank you in advance. 

Kind Regards 

They are most certainly displaying the sort of know-it-all ignorance that gets people hurt

You are quite right, it makes no sense to fit a final exit with a maglock and then not be allowed to fit doors in circulation spaces with them

As Kate says, it is necessary to have a green box  (or a similar mechanical) override at each maglocked door and it is best practice to have doors release with a fire alarm activation.

However, it is not absolutely necessary for the 'failsafe' option as if there is a strong enough security or safety business case, it is possible to risk assess this best practice out and replace with an alternative measure.

This is especially important for high value or high security premises when maglocks are fitted on final exits. What business want to spend tens of £1000s on security, to be undone by a smoke bomb or lighted material pushed into the building and the final exits opening? !!!!