Fail Safe vs. Fail Secure

An Overview

Here at International Vault, we cater to various customers across the United States and Internationally. One of the biggest reasons people often search for a Vault is when they need one. This search could be for a business or personal order. International Vault caters to both businesses and individuals wanting a vault. Continue reading to understand how a vault, and electronic locksets, can help you secure your goods.

Fail Safe Compared to Fail Secure 

Vaults and vault doors may be used for various security purposes. Whether personal or business-related, vaults can store almost any type of goods, keeping them from outside threats or destruction. For additional security, vault doors may be equipped with electronic locksets that deter unwanted parties from entering the vault. Fail safe or fail secure occurs when these electronic locksets no longer contain power. Fail-safe suggests that when there is no power, the door remains unlocked whereas the door remains locked with a fail secure.

Types of Electronic Locksets

Electric Strikes

Electric strikes work in place of mechanical strikes in a lockset to manage access electronically. Fail-secure strikes must be used on fire-rated doors. Generally, fail-secure strikes are used unless access is required by a fire alarm. If needed, the fire department can gain access with a key or tool in the event that access is required by a fire alarm, refraining from disrupting a fire department’s access.

Electromechanical Locks

An electromechanical lock is electrified so it can be managed with a card reader, remote release, or another control device. Generally, electromechanical locks allow free passage and operate as a fail-safe in the event of an emergency. An electromechanical lock that is fail-secure remains locked on the secure side when there is no power. In the event that power is lost, power must be applied and the lever can be turned to abjure the latch. Prior to the lever being turned, the latch stays projected.

Electrified Panic Hardware

Electrified panic hardware is located on the opposite side of fire exit or panic hardware as a lever-operated adornment. Because the electrified hardware is on the opposite side of the door, a project’s requirements will determine the utilization of fail-safe or fail-secure.

Electrified Latch Retraction (EL) and Electromagnetic Locks

Electrified latch retractions are fail-secure functions on fire exit or panic hardware that allow for latch retraction when power is administered. Because these are fail-secure, this keeps the door locked in the event that power is lost. Therefore, the latch is extended when there is no power to the lockset. During normal use, these devices can be used on fire doors to allow a push or pull function. In contrast, electromagnetic locks are generally deemed fail-safe.

Conclusion

Before selecting which access control hardware one should use for their project, consider the location of the hardware. Hardware will be used on an interior, exterior, or fire-rated door and this location is essential in making a choice. The facility’s function, security requirements, and safety regulations should also be considered. International Vault desires to help keep businesses secure with high-quality vaults, modular vaults, bunkers, etc. These projects can be employed with doors equipped with electric strikes, electromechanical locks, electrified panic hardware, electrified latch retraction, or electromagnetic lock access.

Contact Us Today

If you are working on a project or have a need for Vaults, Modular Vaults, or Vault Doors, give us a call and we will be happy to help. Our sales team can help you navigate through the correct choices that are best fit for your business or personal project needs. Our Vaults are customizable for almost any space, and we ship and install our products across the United States and Internationally. 

Office: (919) 930-3064