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EN 12209 is a European standard that establishes performance requirements and test methods for mechanically operated locks and locking plates in the field of architectural hardware. It sets clear testing standards and grading systems for key indicators such as durability, security, fire resistance, and smoke prevention, ensuring that products meet stringent requirements in various applications.
EN 12209:2024 classifies mechanical locks using an 8-digit coding system.
Classification
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
Category of use | Durability and force on latch bolt | Door mass and closing force | Suitability for use on fire resisting and/or smoke control doors | Safety | Corrosion resistance and temperature | Security and drill resistance | Key identification of lever locks |
Three grades are identified :
Grade 1: for use by people with a high incentive to exercise care and with a small chance of misuse, e.g.
residential doors;
Grade 2: for use by people with some incentive to exercise care but where there is some chance of
misuse, e.g. office doors;
Grade 3: for use by the public where there is little incentive to exercise care and where there is a high
chance of misuse, e.g. doors in public buildings.
Indicates the expected service life of locks; with and without side force on latch bolt.
Ten grades of durability and force on mechanically operated latch bolt are identified:
Grade | Number of cycles latch | Load on latchbolt |
0 | 1 to 49 999 | No load or for locks without latchbolt |
A | 50 000 to 99 999 | No load or for locks without latchbolt |
B | 100 000 to 199 999 | No load or for locks without latchbolt |
C | ≥ 200 000 | No load or for locks without latchbolt |
L | 100 000 to 199 999 | 25 N |
M | ≥ 200 000 | 25 N |
R | 100 000 to 199 999 | 50N |
S | ≥ 200 000 | 50 N |
W | 100 000 to 199 999 | 120 N |
X | ≥ 200 000 | 120 N |
Ten grades of the weight of doors and closing force to use are identified:
Grade | Door mass | Closing force |
| 0 | locks without a latch bolt | > 0 and ≤ 15 N closing force |
| 1 | up to 100 kg door mass | > 25 and ≤ 50 N closing force |
| 2 | up to 200 kg door mass | |
| 3 | above 200 kg door mass or as specified by the manufacturer | |
| 4 | up to 100 kg door mass | > 15 and ≤ 25 N closing force |
| 5 | up to 200 kg door mass | |
| 6 | above 200 kg door mass or as specified by the manufacturer | |
| 7 | up to 100 kg door mass | > 0 and ≤ 15 N closing force |
| 8 | up to 200 kg door mass | |
| 9 | above 200 kg door mass or as specified by the manufacturer |
This digit indicates if the locks are appropriate for fire-resistant and smoke control doors.. Four grades are identified:
Grade 0: not verified for use on fire resisting /smoke control door set assemblies;
Grade A: for use on smoke control door set assemblies based on a test in accordance with EN 1634-3;
Grade B: for use on smoke control and fire resisting door set assemblies based on a test in accordance with EN 1634-1 or EN 1634-2;
Grade N: for use on smoke control and fire resisting door set assemblies based on tests where the lock does not contribute to keeping the door in a closed position during the fire resisting and/or smoke control test.
Only one grade of safety is identified
Grade 0: no safety requirement
NOTE See EN 179 and EN 1125 for locks, latches and locking plates that are part of exit devices for use on emergency or panic exit doors.
This digit reflects the lock's resistance to corrosion according to EN1670 and its operational temperature range. Seven grades are identified:
Grade 0: no defined corrosion resistance; no temperature requirement;
Grade A: low corrosion resistance (24 h); no temperature requirement;
Grade B: moderate corrosion resistance (48 h); no temperature requirement;
Grade C: high corrosion resistance (96 h); no temperature requirement;
Grade D: very high corrosion resistance (240 h); no temperature requirement;
Grade F: high corrosion resistance (96 h); temperature requirement: from –10 °C to +60 °C;
Grade G: very high corrosion resistance (240 h); temperature requirement: from –10 °C to +60 °C.
This digit refers to the lock's ability to withstand forced entry attempts, with higher grades indicating greater resistance to both physical attacks and drilling, ranging from no security (Grade 0) to very high security with drill resistance (Grade 7):
Grade 0: no security characteristics
Grade 1: minimum security and no drill resistance;
Grade 2: low security and no drill resistance;
Grade 3: medium security and no drill resistance;
Grade 4: high security and no drill resistance;
Grade 5: high security with drill resistance;
Grade 6: very high security and no drill resistance;
Grade 7: very high security with drill resistance.
Nine grades are identified:
Grade 0: no characteristics;
Grade A: minimum three detaining elements;
Grade B: minimum five detaining elements;
Grade C: minimum five detaining elements, extended number of effective differs;
Grade D: minimum six detaining elements;
Grade E: minimum six detaining elements, extended number of effective differs;
Grade F: minimum seven detaining elements;
Grade G: minimum seven detaining elements, extended number of effective differs;
Grade H: minimum eight detaining elements, extended number of effective differs.
NOTE For non-lever locks classification “-“applies.
The EN 12209 classification code is intended to help architects, door manufacturers, hardware distributors, and project specifiers compare lock performance using a standardized system. When specifying a lock, compare the performance grades shown in the classification code with the requirements of your project.
Pay particular attention to the following characteristics:
Category of use, based on the expected operating environment.
Durability grade.
Door mass suitability for the intended door application.
Fire resistance suitability.
Corrosion resistance and security performance appropriate for the project environment.
In addition to meeting the required performance grades, products manufactured in accordance with EN 12209 should be correctly identified and supplied with the necessary product information.
On the product
The lock should be marked with manufacturer's name or registered trademark for positive identification.
One the packaging
Manufacturer's name or registered trademark;
Classification code (based on the digit grading system);
Number and year of this standard, e.g. EN 12209:2024.
Clear product identification helps installers, inspectors, distributors, and end users verify that the correct product has been specified and installed.
EN 12209 does not certify an entire door assembly.
It specifies the performance requirements and test methods for mechanically operated locks and locking plates. The fire performance of a complete fire door assembly depends on the compatibility and testing of all door components together.
Products with different EN 12209 classification codes are not necessarily better or worse than one another.
Different classifications are intended for different applications. The appropriate grade should always be selected according to project requirements rather than simply choosing the highest available grade.
Meeting EN 12209 alone may not be sufficient for emergency exit applications.
Depending on the door function, additional standards such as EN 179 or EN 1125 may also apply.
The example below demonstrates how an EN 12209 classification code is applied to a typical mortise lock designed for commercial and fire-rated door applications.
Instead of interpreting each digit individually, specifiers can evaluate the overall performance classification to determine whether a lock is suitable for the intended application.
Example Interpretation: The classification above represents a typical DIROCK mortise lock. It demonstrates high durability, suitability for public buildings, compatibility with fire-resisting and smoke control door assemblies, and a high level of corrosion resistance, making it suitable for demanding commercial door applications.
DIROCK manufactures CE-marked mortise locks tested in accordance with EN 12209 and offers OEM and project-based solutions for commercial and fire-rated door applications. For technical documentation, fire door hardware selection, or customization support, please contact our technical team.
