Fire Regulation Locks in London: What You Need to Know for 2025

When it comes to fire safety, the lock on your door is just as important as the door itself. Across London, especially in HMOs, flats, and commercial buildings, landlords and property managers must ensure that all locks meet current fire regulation standards and allow keyless egress in case of an emergency.

At AMZ Locksmith, we regularly attend properties where doors have been fitted with non-compliant locks, creating serious safety risks and potential legal issues during inspections. This guide explains what makes a lock fire-compliant, the key UK standards you should know, and how to stay fully within the regulations.

What Are Fire Regulation Locks?

A fire regulation lock allows safe and quick escape without the use of a key, while maintaining both security and the door’s fire resistance rating.

If a door is part of a fire escape route, it must be possible to open it easily from the inside, even in smoke or low visibility. That is why most compliant systems use thumbturn cylinders, panic bars, or emergency exit devices, rather than standard key-operated locks.

Key Requirements for Fire-Compliant Locks

1. Keyless egressAnyone inside the building must be able to exit without needing a key. This is essential for HMOs, flats, and commercial escape routes.

2. Certified hardwareLocks, latches, hinges, and closers must be UKCA or CE marked and ideally Certifire approved. Look for compliance with EN 1634, BS EN 179, or BS EN 1125 depending on the door type and use.

3. Tested door setsEach component should be tested as part of a complete FD30 or FD60 door set. Mixing brands or using untested hardware can void certification.

4. Self-closing mechanismA fire door must automatically close and latch shut. If it stays open or is wedged, the entire fire safety system fails.

Common Non-Compliant Setups We Encounter

• Double-keyed cylinders on escape doors with no thumbturn inside

• Non-rated nightlatches fitted on FD30 or FD60 doors

• Fire doors with missing or painted-over intumescent seals

• Disabled or incorrectly adjusted door closers

• Panic bars that do not latch due to misalignment

These problems can all result in non-compliance notices during safety inspections, or worse, failure to protect occupants in an emergency.

Recommended Lock Types and Standards

Residential and HMO entrances:

• Euro cylinder locks with internal thumbturns

• Certified sashlocks or nightlatches with keyless egress

• Intumescent kits fitted around hardware

Commercial and office doors:

• BS EN 179 emergency exit devices for staff-only areas

• BS EN 1125 panic bars for public escape routes

• Properly adjusted overhead closers with UKCA marking

UPVC and composite fire doors:

• Multipoint locks using approved thumbturn cylinders

• Self-closing hinges or closers fitted to ensure full closure

Security vs. Fire Safety – Getting the Balance Right

Upgrading to a 3-star or anti-snap cylinder is highly recommended, but it must be installed correctly so that it does not block keyless egress. The safest setup is a 3-star thumbturn cylinder combined with a certified latch and intumescent protection. This ensures both security and fire safety compliance.

How AMZ Locksmith Can Help

At AMZ Locksmith, we install and upgrade fire-compliant locking systems for landlords, HMOs, offices, and commercial buildings across West and North-West London, including Acton, Harlesden, Wembley, Shepherd’s Bush, Maida Vale, Kensal Green, Kilburn, and Queen’s Park.

We supply and fit:

• Fire-rated thumbturn cylinders

• BS EN 179 and BS EN 1125 emergency exit hardware

• Overhead closers and intumescent kits

• Full FD30 and FD60 lock upgrades for landlords and property managers

Our team ensures every installation meets UK building and fire safety regulations. We also provide written confirmation for your compliance or insurance records.

Real Case Examples

1. HMO in Kensal Rise:We replaced a double-keyed euro cylinder with a 3-star thumbturn and fitted a compliant closer and smoke seals, allowing the landlord to pass inspection.

2. Retail unit in Wembley:The panic bar wasn’t latching correctly, risking non-compliance. We re-aligned the keeps and tested the bar to ensure single-action escape.

3. Converted flat in Shepherd’s Bush:An old nightlatch was installed on a fire door with no certification. We fitted a tested latch and intumescent kit to restore compliance.

Quick Compliance Checklist

• Keyless egress from inside (thumbturn or panic hardware)

• UKCA / CE marking on all door hardware

• Intumescent seals intact and not painted over

• Self-closing door mechanism working properly

• Door and hardware tested as a complete FD-rated set

• No modification that breaks certification

• Regular checks by a competent locksmith

Need Help Upgrading or Inspecting Your Locks?

If you are a landlord, estate agent, or business owner in London and you are unsure whether your doors are compliant, AMZ Locksmith can help.

We offer professional assessments, upgrades, and reports for fire regulation locks, HMO doors, and commercial exits.

Visit: www.amzlocksmith.co.uk

Areas covered: Acton, Harlesden, Kensal Green, Wembley, Shepherd’s Bush, Maida Vale, Kilburn, and surrounding areas.