What are BS3621 Locks? How to Tell You Have British Standard Locks
When it comes to locks for your doors, you need to know they are up to standard. Technology moves fast, and that includes when it comes to our home security. With the rise in investment in home security, it is easy to overlook the essentials – such as making sure your doors have the correct lock type.
In the UK, you want to make sure you have British Standard locks, specifically BS3621 British Standard locks. If your doors do not have this specification of door lock, you could be putting yourself at risk. If you want to make sure that your home is safe and has doors that live up to the standard you deserve, read on. We will break down everything you need to know about BS3621 doors.
BS3621 Locks: What Are They?
The British Standards Institute (BSI) is the UK’s leading body for providing the BS3621 specification for quality control. If your doors are BS3621 standardised, they are resistant to break-ins and have locks that meet a quality standard. These locks are found on many doors in the UK, specifically on our front and back doors. They are often seen as the starting point for a security review.
In fact, you might find that your insurance provider will not offer you a full policy if you do not have BS3621 doors. If your doors are not fitted to this standard, you could find that you either cannot get a policy or that your policy will be either significantly more expensive or considerably more limited overall.
British Standard locks have been around since the 1960s, so they are the de facto authority on the quality of door locks in the UK. These locks are found on all kinds of doors across the UK. Most of the time, they will appear on wooden/timber doors, but they also appear on a lot of metal doors which are commonly found in workplaces across the UK. Most BS3621 doors will also open with a key, which makes sense given that the standard existed long before any of the more modern electronic lock systems.
The doors should not be openable on either side of the door without a key; that is part of the BS3621 standard. As such, properties that have only one entry/exit point (i.e. no back door) will not be applicable for installing BS3621 locks. Without two or more entry points, a property cannot have BS3621 locks due to the fact that they cannot be opened from either side, thus creating a potential risk.
Other British Standards
If you happen to check your doors, and they have another British Standard listing, it is likely to be either BS10621 or BS8621. However, these are very rare in households in the UK. They are mostly used either in commercial buildings or in multi-person properties such as flats. Generally, they are far less common than BS3621 specifications. While needed for certain property types, most homeowners in the UK want to have BS3621 installed.
BS8621 locks are most commonly found to provide emergency escape from a property. On the inside, no key is needed to open the door,which is why they are most commonly used in apartment buildings where entry to the building is managed via access control or similar. These lock types are opened using a thumb-turn door handle and can be locked from the outside only. Most commonly used in rental properties, they are deemed a good choice as they cannot lock someone inside but also allow for rapid exits in the event of an emergency such as a fire.
If your lock says BS8621, then you know that you have this type of lock fitted. Generally, though, simply knowing you only have a one-sided lock is enough to let you know that you at least do not have BS3621 doors. Certain Euro DeadLock/SashLock and Mortice DeadLock/SashLock doors will be BS8621 certified. Started in 2004, this is newer than BS3621 and deemed more suitable in certain circumstances.
BS10621, by contrast, came into the industry in 2007 but remains one of the least commonly used lock types in the UK. It is a ‘dual mode’ lock type that can only be locked from the outside. It tends to be used in apartment buildings and contains a combination of BS3621 and BS8621 functionality. However, most prefer to have one or the other as opposed to this less popular hybrid model. Their rarity means that it is likely that you will have BS3621 locks installed in your home.
The same analysis applies to BS10621 as BS3621 and BS8621; just look for the kitemark on your door handle with the BS10621 specification included. You should see either 2007, 2012, or 2017, as these are the only three iterations of the BS10621 model.
Why Do I Need BS3621 Locks?
The main reason comes down to security. Knowing that you have locks which are resistant to being picked or drilled through is a nice feeling. Most criminals today will use techniques like this to break into a home, so if you have suitable protections in place, you make their entry that little bit more challenging. This standard of lock, then, is seen as the most effective way to deter potential criminals.
However, the other main reason is, as mentioned above, that BS3621 locks are compatible with insurance policies. In fact, most policies will demand that you have this kind of lock installation at a minimum. Other policies might require more advanced lock systems to help further security standards. For properties that are unable to have BS3621 locks due to a lack of entryways, this can cause problems finding a policy that is both suitable and affordable.
BS3621 And Insurance
While some insurance companies might work around this with you, it is expected that most policy providers in the UK expect BS3621 locks. However, as noted above, most see this as the minimum and may ask you to invest in other add-ons, i.e. anti-snap locks. However, it should be noted that insurance providers do not provide BS3621 locks; they simply ask that you have these installed by a professional locksmith. You need to discuss with your insurance provider their requirements for lock types and whether they want BS3621 or any other additional specifications, i.e. anti-snapping.
Unfortunately, most providers will not provide a discount on your policy for investing in BS3621 locks. The situation is rather the opposite; without BS3621 locks, you will struggle to find a policy in the first place. Do not expect to get any gold stars from your insurance provider for having BS3621 locks, but you should expect them to treat a failure to have BS3621 locks as a negative factor.
So, how do you know if you have BS3621 locks? Let’s examine the things you need to determine this.
Checking If You Have BS3621 Locks
If you want to make sure that your front or back locks are of the standard expected, there are some easy ways to check things out. The first thing you should be looking for is known as the British Standard Kitemark. The Kitemark will look, as the name suggests, like a kite; some find it looks more like a heart. If your locks are BS3621 certified, they will have the kite/heart on the front. Underneath the kitemark, there should be a standard number written on the plate of your door’s lock.
If the number does not read BS3621, then it is likely that your doors are not of this certification. Generally, the lock will also have a number like this: BS3621:2017. This would imply that the door meets BS3621specifications; the second number will refer to the year of the British standard it comes from—other common door numbers to see include BS3621 and BS8621. Generally, though, you want your doors to say BS3621 and have a relatively recent number afterward.
Are you unsure about your door locks? Then call a locksmith. A local professional can inspect your doors and quickly determine the quality of the locks that have been installed. If the lock does not say BS3621 on it, though, then it is likely that you need to upgrade ASAP!
What Locks Meet BS3621 Standards?
So, the challenge you might face with BS3621 is that not all lock types in the UK are compliant with this standard. Generally, though, you can say that any Mortice SashLocks, Mortice DeadLocks, Rim Locks, Night Latches, and Euro SashLock or Euro DeadLock types will conform toBS3621 standards. When buying any locks of the above types, their packaging/online listing should note their compatibility with BS3621.
However, there is more to this than simply the type of lock. For example, certain Mortice DeadLocks will not be BS3621-compliant. This is because they do not have the minimum of five levers, which is what is expected. If you have a 3-lever Mortice DeadLock, then this is not going to be marked as suitable for BS3621 specifications. In some cases, though, even 5-level Mortice DeadLocks are not BS3621 certified. We recommend that you review your lock type with a professional ASAP.
If your lock does not have the Kitemark we have mentioned above, and it does not have the BS3621:2017 (or BS3621:2007, for example) specification, then your lock is NOT BS3621 standard. Generally, no matter the type of lock you have, a BS3621 lock will meet the following standards:
- At least 20mm bolt throws included in the frame of the door
- Anti-picking systems put in place to stop any of the five levers from being picked
- Anti-pick protections are installed into the lock to minimise the risk of forced entry
- Drill protections in the form of hardplates that minimise drilling capabilities
If your locks meet these standards, they are much more likely to be compliant with BS3621 standards. It is also important to note that, as mentioned above, BS3621 is not the only British Standard lock specification. The other numbers after BS3621 to look out for include 1963, 1970, 1998, 2007, 2012, and 2017. 1963 is the oldest version, while 2017 is the latest edition.
Naturally, you want to have the latest version of BS3621 installed. However, even the oldest version of BS3621 is still better than not having a British Standard lock installed in the first place. If you want the latest security, upgrading to the BS3621:2017 edition is highly recommended.
How Expensive Are BS3621 Locks?
The price of a quality lock can range from around £35 to £9 and above. This is only the cost of the lock itself, though; you will also need to pay a locksmith to fit your new locks.
The price will range depending on where you are in the country, the company you hire, their experience levels, the quality of the lock you choose, the lock type, and the timeframe for installation. If you are willing to wait, you will pay less than if you hire an emergency locksmith for rapid installation. We recommend calling around several locksmiths to find the best price that you can.
Generally, you should expect the price of your BS3621 lock installation to be around £150 and above. Once you factor in the cost of your lock and the installation time, that should be around the starting cost of new lock installations. However, most locksmiths will offer an analysis of your current lock system at a much lower cost. Some locksmiths even offer free callouts and advice for such matters.
Making The Right Decision
As you can see, BS3621 lock standards are not something that you should ignore or consider needless. They play a critical role in letting you know that your locks are pick—and drill-resistant. So long as your locks have a BS3621 number and have a minimum of five levers, you are on the right track.
However, these standards are not all you need to worry about. You should also keep a close eye out for other issues, such as not having anti-snap protections. If your locks protrude or feel overly loose, too, you should have them reviewed by a professional locksmith to ensure they are safe to keep using.
Look for the British Standard kitemark and the lock standard number, though, and you should have enough information about your BS3621compatibility. If you are ever unsure, phone a professional and have them review your locks so you know if they meet the modern standards expected. If you need to upgrade or repair any BS3621 locks, leave it to the experts instead of a risky DIY fitting.
