Mortise Lock Function Guide
Mortise locks are door locks that require a pocket to be cut into the door in order for the mortise lock body to be installed. An advantage of using a mortise lock is the added protection and security it provides to a room or facility. You will find these types of locks may come with integrated deadbolts to add to the strength and integrity of the door. Commercial Door Locks come in a variety of functions that determine how the lock operates. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) have defined standards and names to over 20 functions. Below is a list of the most popular mortise lock functions and equal product lines across some of the most trusted commercial door hardware brands.
Non-Cylinder Functions
Passage Function
The passage function is used for doors where locking isn’t required. The lever freely operates the latch and there is no key cylinder or lock.
- ANSI Code: F01
- Trim from either side retracts latchbolt at all times
Privacy/Bed/Bathroom
The Privacy function is used for dressing rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, or any doors that need to be locked from the inside.
- ANSI Code: F02
- Trim from either side retracts latchbolt at all times
- Thumbturn retracts and projects deadbolt
- Emergency release retracts and projects deadbolt
- Latchbolt and deadbolt are independent of each other
- Corbin Russwin ML2020
- Sargent 8268
- Sargent R8268
- Sargent 7868
Exit
Exit locks are used for doors that only allow for exiting the door from the inside. The outside lever (if present) is rigid at all times.
-ANSI Code: F31
- No outside trim or cylinder
- Trim inside retracts latchbolt
- The outside lever rigid at all times
- Arrow AM07
- Arrow BM07
- Sargent 8213
- Sargent R8213
- Sargent 7813
- Schlage L9025
Dummy Trim
Dummy trims do not lock or turn and are designed to be pushed or pulled to operate a door leaf while matching the same door hardware aesthetics of the entire building or facility
- Outside/Inside Lever Rigid at all times
- Trim only used as door pull
- Arrow AM08, AM09
- Arrow BM08, BM09
- Corbin Russwin ML2050, ML2070, ML2080, ML2090
- Sargent 8293, 8294, 8295, 8296,8297
- Sargent R8293, R8294, R8295, R8296, R8297
- Sargent 7893, 7894, 7895, 7896, 7897
- Schlage L0170, L0172, L9175, L9176
Single Cylinder Functions
Storeroom/Closet
Storeroom lock functions are used for storage rooms, mechanical rooms, and electrical rooms where the outside lever should be locked at all times.
-ANSI Code: F07
- Key outside retracts latchbolt
- Trim outside locked at all times
- Trim inside always retracts latchbolt
- Latch by lever inside or key outside
Entrance/Office
Entrance/Office function is used for offices where locking is required. Latch by either lever unless outside lever is locked from the inside
-ANSI Code: F04
- Key outside retracts latchbolt and locks/unlocks outside trim
- Trim inside always free
- Thumbturn inside locks/unlocks outside trim
- Operated by key outside
- Auxiliary deadlatch
Hotel/Motel
The Hotel/Motel lock function allows for entrance by key only making it perfect for Hotels, Dormitories, Apartments, and Motels.
-ANSI Code: F15
- Latchbolt by trim inside or by key outside
- Outside trim always rigid
- Inside lever operates deadbolt and latch bolt
- Deadbolt by inside thumb turn, indicator on keyed side
- Auxiliary Deadlatch
- Arrow AM15, AM16
- Arrow BM15, BM16
- Corbin Russwin ML2029
- Sargent 8250
- Sargent R8250
- Sargent 7850
- Schlage L9486
- Schlage LV9486
Classroom
The classroom lock is designed to be installed in schools to prevent students from tampering with the lock. The lock is controlled by a key in the outside cylinder which locks or unlocks the outside lever
- ANSI Code: F05
- Key outside retracts latchbolt and locks/unlocks outside trim
- Trim inside always retracts latchbolt
- Auxiliary deadlatch
- Arrow AM17
- Arrow BM17
- Corbin Russwin ML2055
- Sargent 8237
- Sargent R8237
- Sargent 7837
- Schlage L9070
- Schlage LV9070
Double Cylinder Functions
Apartment, Exit, Privacy
The Apartment function lockset is perfect for offices, apartment buildings, and lavatory doors. From the inside the lever acts as a privacy lock allowing free egress.
- ANSI Code: F09
- Key outside retracts latchbolt
- Key inside required to lock/unlock trim outside
- Trim inside always retracts latchbolt
- Auxiliary deadlatch
- Arrow AM32
- Arrow BM32
- Corbin Russwin ML2042
- Sargent 8216
- Sargent R8216
- Sargent 7816
- Schlage L9060
- Schlage LV9060
Classroom Security Intruder
The classroom security Intruder lock was designed to provide added protection against security threats in schools.
- ANSI Code: F32
- Key from either side locks/unlocks outside trim
- Key from either side retracts latchbolt
- Trim outside retracts latchbolt, except when locked
- Trim inside always retracts latchbolt
- Auxiliary deadlatch
- Arrow AM37
- Arrow BM37
- Corbin Russwin ML2052
- Sargent 8238
- Sargent R8238
- Sargent 7838
- Schlage L9071
- Schlage LV9071
Electromechanical Cylinder Functions
Fail Safe
The Fail Safe Function unlocks the lever when power is cut off. Power is applied to lock the door. Electrically Locked.
- Keyoutside retracts latchbolt
- Lever outside retracts latchbolt, expect when locked
- Lever outside can only be locked electronically
- Lever inside always retracts latchbolt
- Auxiliary deadlatch
- Power ON, locks outside lever
- Power OFF, unlocks outside lever
- Arrow AM17
- Arrow BM17
- Corbin Russwin ML20907, ML20915, ML20914, ML20932, ML20906
- Sargent 8270, 8272
- Sargent R8270, R8272
- Schlage L9090EL, L9091EL, L9092EL, L9093EL, L9094El, L9095El
- Schlage L9492EL, L9493EL, L9494EL, L9495EL
Fail Secure
The fail secure function locks when power is removed. Power is applied to unlock the door. Electrically unlocked.
- Key outside retracts latchbolt
- Lever outside retracts latchbolt, except when locked
- Inside Lever always allows egress
- Power ON, unlocks outside lever
- Power OFF, locks outside lever
- Arrow AM17
- Arrow BM17
- Corbin Russwin (SEC) ML20907, ML20915, ML20914, ML20932, ML20906
- Sargent 8271, 8273
- Sargent R8271, R8273
- Schlage L9090EU, L9091EU, L9092EU, L9093EU, L9094EU, L9095EU
- Schlage L9492EU, L9493EU, L9494EU, L9495EU
Lock Grades
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) have established standards pertaining to the durability, strength, and overall performance of various door hardware, including locks, available in the market. The products that attain certification from ANSI/BHMA are categorized into Grade 1, Grade 2, or Grade 3 applications. These grades reflect incremental levels of performance excellence. Locks classified as Grade 1 exhibit the utmost level of strength and security. Products belonging to Grade 2 or Grade 3 also undergo specific standardized tests, but with slightly less stringent criteria. Typically, these items are utilized less frequently and in less demanding environments. Each product undergoes an array of rigorous tests, which encompass activities such as tension loading, impact and force resistance, deadbolt torque assessment, retraction deadbolt testing, pound exertion evaluations, as well as assessments of bolt or latch strength, security features, and finish durability. We exclusively offer locks that meet either Grade 1 or Grade 2 standards. Grade 3 standards are intended primarily for residential usage.
Mortise Cylinders
Mortise locks typically use a mortise cylinder that is designed to fit into the mortise lock body and usually held in place by a set screw. Mortise cylinders are threaded and come with a rotating cam to engage the lock mechanism. When a key is used, the cam rotates to retract the lock bolt. Mortise cylinders come in many different sizes to fit different types of mortise locks. These are most often used in commercial or high-security settings because of the added protection they provide against picking and tampering.
