When choosing electronic locks for your commercial door solution, understanding fail safe vs fail secure systems is essential. These two locking mechanisms may look similar from the outside, but they perform very differently when the power is lost. The right choice depends on your building’s layout and emergency protocols, among other factors.
Understanding the Basics
Both fail safe and fail secure locks rely on power to function. The key difference comes down to what happens when the electricity goes out: fail safe allows the door to unlock when power is lost, and fail secure ensures the door stays locked when power is lost.
Regardless of which system you choose, both types still allow people inside the building to exit safely during an emergency, meeting all required life-safety standards.
Fail Safe Locks: Accessibility First
Fail safe locks are designed to unlock when the power supply is interrupted. Most are powered by magnetic systems, where an energized magnet holds the door closed until power is cut. When power is lost, the magnet releases and the door can swing open freely.
This design makes fail safe locks ideal for spaces that need to remain easily accessible in the event of an outage or fire alarm activation. Common applications include main entry points, stairwell doors, and emergency exits, where first responders may need immediate access.
However, the same feature that improves accessibility also makes these locks less secure during power failures. Because the door unlocks automatically during an outage, additional backup systems like generators or secondary mechanical locks are sometimes recommended for high-security facilities.
Fail Secure Locks: Security Comes First
Fail secure locks do the opposite. When power is cut, they remain locked. These systems typically use an electric strike plate or latch mechanism that requires power to release. If electricity is lost, the strike stays closed, keeping the door secure from outside access.
This setup makes fail secure locks ideal for protecting sensitive or high-value areas such as data centers, research labs, storage rooms, and financial offices. Even during a blackout, unauthorized individuals won’t be able to enter. At the same time, people inside can still exit safely, which ensures both security and compliance with fire and safety codes.
Because fail secure locks depend on electrical circuits and mechanical components, they benefit from consistent inspection and cleaning. Dust, worn wiring, or low voltage can affect performance, and periodic testing helps ensure reliability. It’s important to keep them maintained so they are in working order when you need them the most.
Choosing the Right System for Your Business
Which lock system is right for you? If your top priority is to make sure people can always get inside, such as hospitals, schools, or public facilities, a fail safe system may be the best choice. If protecting assets or confidential information is more critical to you, fail secure locks are likely the better fit. Many commercial properties use both, combining fail safe locks for public access areas and fail secure locks for restricted zones.
Expert Help When You Need It
Selecting and maintaining the right locking system can be complex, especially for larger properties with multiple access points. That’s where Union Door can help. Our team specializes in installing, servicing, and maintaining all types of access control and commercial door solutions throughout San Francisco and the Bay Area. We’ll make sure your doors are working exactly as they should, with or without power.