Fail Safe vs Fail Secure Locks: Understanding the Critical Difference | All Security Equipment

How to Choose the Right Locking Solution for Security, Safety, and Code Compliance

When designing an access control system, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing between fail safe and fail secure locking hardware.

At first glance, the difference seems simple. One unlocks during a power failure, while the other remains locked. However, selecting the wrong option can lead to building code violations, security vulnerabilities, life safety concerns, and costly retrofits.

Whether you’re securing a commercial office, healthcare facility, educational campus, government building, retail location, or data center, understanding fail safe and fail secure operation is critical for designing a reliable and code-compliant access control system.

In this guide, we’ll explain how each locking method works, where they should be used, and which access control products can help create a secure and compliant installation.

Understanding Access Control Locking Hardware

Before comparing fail safe and fail secure operation, it’s important to understand how electronic locking devices function.

Most access control systems consist of:

Access Control Readers
Credentials
Controllers
Locking Hardware
Power Supplies
Exit Devices
Request-to-Exit Devices

The locking hardware is what physically secures the door and determines how the opening behaves during a power interruption.

Common locking devices include:

Electric Strikes
Magnetic Locks
Electrified Mortise Locks
Electrified Cylindrical Locks
Electrified Panic Hardware
Cabinet Locks

The primary distinction between these devices often comes down to whether they are configured as fail safe or fail secure.

What Is a Fail Safe Lock?

A fail safe lock unlocks when electrical power is removed.

In normal operation, electricity keeps the door secured. If power is interrupted due to a power outage, fire alarm activation, or emergency condition, the door automatically unlocks.

Think of it as:

Power On = Locked
Power Off = Unlocked

This configuration prioritizes life safety and emergency egress.

How Fail Safe Locks Work

Fail safe locks rely on continuous power to maintain security.

When power is supplied:

Door remains locked
Access control system functions normally
Authorized users gain access through readers or credentials

When power is removed:

Lock releases automatically
Occupants can exit freely
Emergency responders gain access

Common Fail Safe Applications

Fail safe hardware is commonly used in environments where occupant safety takes priority.

Healthcare Facilities

Hospitals often require fail safe operation to ensure patients, staff, and emergency personnel can move safely during emergencies.

Common applications include:

Main entrances
Interior corridors
Emergency exits
Patient care areas

Educational Facilities

Schools and universities frequently use fail safe hardware on certain controlled openings.

Typical locations include:

Administrative entrances
Common areas
Interior access-controlled zones

Commercial Office Buildings

Office environments often use fail safe locking on:

Main entrances
Lobby access points
Public occupancy areas

High Occupancy Buildings

Buildings with large occupant loads may require fail safe operation to satisfy life safety requirements.

Magnetic Locks Are Always Fail Safe

One of the most important concepts installers must understand is that magnetic locks are inherently fail safe.

Maglocks secure doors through electromagnetism.

When power is removed:

The magnetic field disappears
The lock immediately releases

Product Categories:

Magnetic Locks
Request-to-Exit Sensors
Push-to-Exit Devices
Access Control Power Supplies

Because maglocks are fail safe by design, proper egress hardware and fire alarm integration are essential.

Advantages of Fail Safe Locks

Improved Life Safety

Occupants can exit quickly during emergencies.

Fire Code Compliance

Many applications require doors to unlock during fire alarm activation.

Emergency Responder Access

First responders can enter secured areas during emergencies.

Reduced Risk of Entrapment

Occupants cannot become trapped due to a power failure.

What Is a Fail Secure Lock?

A fail secure lock remains locked when power is removed.

In this configuration, power is used to release the lock rather than secure it.

Think of it as:

Power On = Unlocks When Authorized
Power Off = Remains Locked

This configuration prioritizes security over convenience.

How Fail Secure Locks Work

Under normal operation:

Door remains locked
Access control system grants access to authorized users
Lock releases only when commanded

If power fails:

Door remains secured
Unauthorized entry is prevented
Mechanical key override may still operate

Common Fail Secure Applications

Fail secure hardware is commonly installed where asset protection is critical.

Data Centers

Protecting servers and network infrastructure often requires fail secure operation.

Common applications:

Server rooms
Telecommunications closets
IT facilities

Financial Institutions

Banks and financial facilities frequently rely on fail secure hardware.

Applications include:

Vault access
Records rooms
Restricted employee areas

Pharmaceutical Storage

Controlled substances and sensitive inventory often require fail secure protection.

Government Facilities

Certain secured areas require continued protection even during power loss.

Electric Strikes Can Be Either Fail Safe or Fail Secure

Unlike magnetic locks, electric strikes are often available in both configurations.

Many modern electric strikes offer field-selectable operation.

Product Categories:

Electric Strikes
Door Hardware
Access Control Accessories

This flexibility makes electric strikes one of the most versatile locking solutions available.

Electrified Locksets

Electrified locksets are available in both fail safe and fail secure models.

Common types include:

Electrified Mortise Locks

Ideal for:

Office buildings
Government facilities
Healthcare environments

Electrified Cylindrical Locks

Ideal for:

Interior office doors
Administrative areas
Commercial applications

Product Categories:

Electrified Mortise Locks
Electrified Cylindrical Locks
Access Control Locks

Electrified Exit Devices

Panic hardware often incorporates fail safe or fail secure electrification.

Popular applications:

Schools
Hospitals
Stadiums
Public facilities

Product Categories:

Exit Devices
Panic Hardware
Electrified Exit Devices

Comparing Fail Safe vs Fail Secure

Feature	Fail Safe	Fail Secure
Power Loss	Unlocks	Remains Locked
Life Safety	Excellent	Moderate
Security During Outage	Lower	Higher
Fire Alarm Integration	Common	Application Dependent
Emergency Access	Easier	More Restricted
Typical Use	Public Occupancy	High Security Areas

Building Codes and Life Safety Considerations

Code compliance should always influence lock selection.

Important standards include:

NFPA 101
International Building Code (IBC)
UL 294
Local AHJ Requirements

The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) ultimately determines acceptable locking methods.

Installers should always verify local requirements before selecting hardware.

Supporting Components for Either Configuration

Reliable locking systems require more than just the lock itself.

Common supporting products include:

Access Control Readers

Examples:

HID Signo Readers
Multi-Technology Readers

Credentials

Examples:

HID Cards
Mobile Credentials
Smart Cards

Controllers

Examples:

Altronix Controllers
Cloud Access Controllers

Power Supplies

Proper power management is especially important for fail safe applications.

Common Selection Mistakes

Choosing Based Only on Security

Security must be balanced with life safety requirements.

Ignoring Fire Code Requirements

Many installations fail inspection because life safety regulations were not considered.

Forgetting Future Expansion

Choose hardware that supports future upgrades and integrations.

Overlooking Occupant Load

High-occupancy buildings often have stricter egress requirements.

Final Thoughts

The decision between fail safe and fail secure locking hardware affects security, life safety, code compliance, and overall system performance.

Fail safe locks prioritize occupant safety by unlocking during power loss, making them ideal for public and life safety applications. Fail secure locks prioritize asset protection by remaining locked during outages, making them suitable for restricted or high-security environments.

By understanding the differences between these locking methods and selecting the proper electric strikes, magnetic locks, electrified locksets, exit devices, readers, controllers, and power supplies, security professionals can design systems that protect both people and property.

All Security Equipment offers a complete selection of magnetic locks, electric strikes, access control readers, credentials, power supplies, controllers, and door hardware to help build secure, reliable, and code-compliant access control solutions.