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Balancing Security with Fire Safety

Specifying Smart Locks for Apartment & Multi-Residential Applications

Protecting their homes is one of the typical Australian homeowner’s highest priorities, so it is no surprise that smart locks have grown in popularity. With our growing dependence on connected devices and the rising demand for ‘smart’ homes, consumers are turning to smart lock technology as a more versatile, convenient and secure alternative to traditional locks that puts the user in control, no matter where they are.

However, with every new innovation, there are some areas of uncertainty. There is growing concern that apartment owners are compromising fire safety by choosing smart locks that are not properly fire rated. Whether through a lack of knowledge or awareness of the variety of solutions on the market, finding a smart lock solution that addresses the fire rating requirements for fire and exit doors is proving to be a challenge in today’s market.

After a spate of tower fires prompted greater scrutiny over the use of flammable building materials, Australia has developed some of the strictest fire regulations in the world. This includes requirements for most apartment front doors, depending on their classification within the National Construction Code (NCC), to be fire doors. Only fire-rated hardware may be fitted on fire-rated doors, including any locking systems.

It is the duty of care of architects, designers and specifiers to ensure that all fire and exit doors are safe, functional and code compliant. To bring all the security benefits of smart locks to new multi-residential builds, they must identify solutions that meet the functional needs of the building and its residents while also being fire rated and compliant with the NCC.

Read the full whitepaper

Download this whitepaper to examine the rise of smart locks and highlight their benefits over traditional locks. We then take a close look at the fire safety regulations impacting apartment and multi-residential applications, and how they impact your choice of smart lock solution.