DOOR CLOSURES questions
Fail-safe or fail-secure? +
A fail-safe lock unlocks when power is lost, which suits an escape route. A fail-secure lock stays locked when power is lost, which suits an external door you do not want opening in an outage. Fire escape routes and building requirements usually decide this for you.
What is the difference between a maglock and an electric strike? +
A magnetic lock holds the door with an electromagnet and needs constant power, so it is fail-safe by nature. An electric strike replaces the keeper the latch sits in and lets the existing mechanical lock keep working, so the door stays lockable by key.
How much holding force do I need? +
Domestic and internal doors are commonly 280kg holding force. External, high-traffic or vulnerable doors move up to 500kg or more. Fitting matters as much as the number: a strong lock on a weak frame fails at the frame.
Can I fit an electric lock to my existing gate? +
Usually yes, with the right lock for the gate material and the gap, plus a cable route to the lock. Sliding gates, swing gates and pedestrian gates each take a different lock type, so the gate needs looking at before ordering.