ALL ABOUT THE DOOR
Proving Competence in Commercial Work This Year
» JANUARY IS A GOOD TIME TO PAUSE and look ahead. For many locksmiths, it is a chance to think about how their work is changing and which skills will matter most this year.
Commercial buildings are increasingly regulated, and expectations around safety and compliance are rising. Doors, locks, and access systems are no longer just security features. Panic hardware, fire doors, and other safety measures are designed to protect people, but in many cases they haven’ t been installed in the right places, maintained properly, or fitted with the correct type of hardware for the building.
With clear fire safety rules under the Regulatory Reform( Fire Safety) Order, Responsible Persons must ensure fire doors, escape routes, and related hardware are suitable, compliant, and properly maintained.
In many public and multi-occupancy buildings— such as cinemas, shops, nightlife and entertainment venues, sports venues, schools, visitor attractions, and places of worship— the Terrorism( Protection of Premises) Act 2025( Martyn’ s Law) requires them to assess security risks and put protective measures in place. Access control, emergency exit hardware, and compliant door systems are often an important part of meeting these requirements.
When Door Work Goes Wrong
Poor commercial door work remains surprisingly common, and its consequences can be severe. Some typical examples include:
• Panic hardware that fails under pressure – In some buildings, panic bars stick, jam, or fail to release fully, putting anyone in a hurry during an emergency at serious risk.
• Maglocks installed without proper fire interfaces – Magnetic locks are sometimes fitted without the
necessary integration with fire alarm systems, meaning doors may remain locked when they should automatically release.
• Fire doors compromised by poor workmanship – Improper lock fitting, patch repairs, or worn hinges can weaken fire doors, reducing their effectiveness in slowing the spread of fire or smoke.
• Aluminium and glass doors incorrectly modified – Drilling, cutting, or retrofitting locks on delicate doors without the right tools or expertise can cause cracks, misalignment, or structural failure.
• Access control“ shortcuts” that bypass safety features – Quick fixes like disabled sensors, untested fail-safes, or faulty wiring can prevent doors from functioning correctly, sometimes locking people in or out when it matters most.
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JANUARY 2026
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