Job Summary
Location: Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire
Property Type: Second-floor flat
Lock Installed: ERA BS8621 Euro Mortice Deadlock Keyless Egress
External Operation: Key-operated Euro cylinder
Internal Operation: Keyless thumbturn
Purpose: To provide secure external locking while allowing the door to be unlocked from inside without searching for a key
Outcome: New keyless egress deadlock fitted and tested
Keyless Egress Lock Installed on a Flat Door in Welwyn Garden City
Active Lock Centre recently installed an ERA BS 8621 keyless egress deadlock on the entrance door of a second-floor flat in Welwyn Garden City.
Flat entrance doors need to balance security with the ability of residents to leave quickly. A conventional double-sided deadlock may require a key from both sides, which means the occupant must locate the key before unlocking the door.
A keyless egress lock works differently. The outside of the door remains key-operated, while the inside can be unlocked using a thumbturn.
This gives the resident a simple method of unlocking the door from inside without needing to find a key.
What Is a BS 8621 Keyless Egress Lock?
BS 8621 applies to thief-resistant lock assemblies that are operated by a key from outside and by a handle or thumbturn from inside.
The ERA lock fitted during this job was a mortice deadlock designed specifically for keyless egress.
The lock included:
- An external Euro profile cylinder
- A thumbturn on the inside
- A 20 mm deadbolt throw
- Hardened steel plates designed to resist drilling
- Hardened rollers within the deadbolt
- Heavy-duty security roses protecting the cylinder
The lock can be secured and unlocked with a key from outside. From inside the flat, the occupant can operate the thumbturn without using a key.
The particular ERA product fitted is described by the manufacturer as conforming to BS 8621:2007+A2:2012.
Why Keyless Exit Matters on a Flat Entrance Door
A flat entrance door may be the resident’s main route into and out of the property.
If the door can only be unlocked from inside with a key, the occupant needs to know where that key is before they can leave.
Keys can be:
- Left in another room
- Removed from the lock
- Misplaced
- Taken by another occupant
- Difficult to locate in darkness or during a stressful situation
An internal thumbturn removes the need to search for the key before unlocking the deadbolt.
The external side remains key-operated, helping to maintain normal security against unauthorised entry.
This arrangement can be especially useful in flats, rented properties, and multi-residential buildings where straightforward internal operation is important.
Installing the ERA Keyless Egress Deadlock
The ERA mortice deadlock was installed into the flat entrance door in Welwyn Garden City.
A mortice lock must be fitted accurately into the edge of the door. The position of the lock case, cylinder, thumbturn, security roses, and striking plate must all line up correctly.
The installation involved:
- Positioning the mortice lock at the correct height
- Preparing the door for the lock case
- Fitting the ERA keyless egress deadlock
- Installing the external Euro cylinder
- Installing the internal thumbturn
- Fitting the protective security roses
- Preparing and securing the striking plate
- Checking the deadbolt alignment
- Testing the lock from both sides
Accurate alignment is important. If the deadbolt catches against the striking plate, the lock may become difficult to operate and unnecessary pressure may be placed on the mechanism.
Testing the External Key and Internal Thumbturn
After installation, the lock was checked from both sides of the flat entrance door.
From outside, the Euro cylinder was operated with the key to confirm that the deadbolt locked and unlocked smoothly.
From inside, the thumbturn was tested to make sure the resident could unlock the door without using a key.
The completed checks included:
- Smooth external key operation
- Easy internal thumbturn operation
- Correct deadbolt engagement
- Proper alignment with the striking plate
- Securely fitted cylinder roses
- Smooth opening and closing of the door
The completed installation provided secure key operation from outside and convenient keyless unlocking from inside.
A Keyless Egress Lock Does Not Make a Fire Door Compliant by Itself
It is important not to claim that fitting one lock automatically makes a flat entrance door compliant with all fire safety requirements.
A flat entrance fire door is a complete doorset. Its performance can depend on several components, including:
- The door leaf
- The frame
- Fire and smoke seals
- Hinges
- Letterplates
- Glazing
- Door gaps
- The self-closing device
- The lock and latch
- The overall condition of the door
An effective self-closing device is particularly important because the door must return fully into its frame after being opened.
The ERA keyless egress deadlock provides a way of unlocking the door from inside without a key. It should still be considered as one part of the complete door arrangement.
Landlords, managing agents, and responsible persons should follow the property’s fire risk assessment and obtain specialist fire-door advice where required.
Keyless Egress Locks for Landlords and Managing Agents
Keyless egress locks may be suitable for certain rented flats and multi-residential properties, but the correct lock depends on the door, building, and risk assessment.
Before changing a lock on a flat entrance door, consider:
- Whether the door is a certified fire door
- Whether the existing lock forms part of the tested doorset
- Whether the door has an effective self-closing device
- Whether the resident can unlock the door easily from inside
- Whether the new lock is suitable for the door construction
- Whether the property has specific licensing or fire risk assessment requirements
- Whether the installation could affect the door’s fire performance
A locksmith can advise on the security and operation of the lock, but wider fire-door compliance may require guidance from a competent fire-door professional or fire-risk assessor.
Why Professional Lock Installation Matters
A high-quality lock will only perform properly when it is correctly fitted.
Poor installation can result in:
- A stiff key or thumbturn
- A deadbolt that does not fully engage
- Damage to the door edge
- Weak fixing points
- Poorly fitted security roses
- Excessive movement around the cylinder
- Continued pressure on the locking mechanism
A professional installation should leave the lock secure, correctly aligned, and straightforward to operate.
Active Lock Centre provides professional lock installation services for homeowners, landlords, managing agents, and businesses across Hertfordshire.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does keyless egress mean?
Keyless egress means the door can be unlocked from inside without using a key. On this ERA lock, the external side is operated by a key and the internal side is operated by a thumbturn.
Is a BS 8621 lock the same as a BS 3621 lock?
No. A BS 3621 lock is generally key-operated from both sides. A BS 8621 lock provides key operation outside and keyless operation from inside.
Is a keyless egress lock suitable for every flat?
Not automatically. Suitability depends on the type of door, the building, the fire risk assessment, and any relevant licensing or management requirements.
Does fitting a BS 8621 lock make a fire door compliant?
No. The lock is only one component of the complete doorset. The door, frame, seals, hinges, closer, gaps, and other components must also be suitable and maintained correctly.
Can an ERA keyless egress lock be fitted to an existing wooden door?
It may be possible, depending on the door’s construction, condition, thickness, existing lock preparation, and whether the door is a certified fire doorset. The door should be assessed before installation.
Do you install keyless egress locks in Welwyn Garden City?
Yes. Active Lock Centre installs and repairs locks for flats, houses, landlords, managing agents, and commercial properties across Welwyn Garden City and surrounding Hertfordshire areas.
Need a Keyless Egress Lock Installed in Welwyn Garden City?
Active Lock Centre is a family-run, MLA Approved locksmith company with over 40 years of experience.
Our services include:
- Keyless egress lock installation
- British Standard lock fitting
- Flat entrance door locks
- Residential lock installations
- Landlord and block management locksmith services
- Lock repairs and replacements
- Door alignment and adjustments
- Emergency lockouts
We cover Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield, St Albans, Stevenage, Hertford, and surrounding areas.
For professional advice or to arrange a lock installation, call Active Lock Centre on 01707 242874.