Door Hardware Lock Functions

The following list shows different door lockset functions.  Manufacturers may use various terminology, but these are standard terms. Refer to specific manufacture data prior to specifying types.

Locksets that require a key to retract the latch or deadbolt on the inside are not recommended for egress use.

Locksets Without a Deadbolt

Classroom Lockset - The latchbolt is retracted by the grip on either side unless the outside grip is locked by the outside key. 

Classroom Security Lockset -  The latchbolt is retracted by the grip on either side unless the outside grip is locked by either the inside key or the outside key.  Operating the inside grip always retracts the latchbolt.

Institutional (Asylum) Lockset - The latchbolt is retracted by a key on either side.  The grips on both sides are rigid.

Office Lockset - The latchbolt is retracted by the grip on either side unless the outside grip is locked by the toggle or outside key.  Operating the inside grip does not unlock the outside grip.

Passage Lockset -  The latchbolt is always retracted by the grip on either side.  Both grips are always free.

Privacy Lockset - The latchbolt is retracted by the grip on either side unless the outside grip is locked by the inside thumb-turn, button, or key.  Operating the inside grip unlocks the outside grip.  An emergency release tool unlocks the outside grip.  Some manufacturers offer models that also unlock the outside grip when the door is closed (i.e. the door can only be locked from the inside if the door is fully closed - locking an open door then closing the door unlocks the outside grip).

Public Restroom Lockset -  The latchbolt is retracted by the inside grip or an outside key.  The latchbolt is retracted by the outside grip unless the grip is locked by a key from the inside.  The latchbolt / outside grip cannot be locked by a key from the outside.

Storeroom Lockset - The latchbolt is retracted by the inside grip or outside key.  The outside grip is optional, but when provided it is always rigid.

Locksets With a Deadbolt

Apartment Lockset - The deadbolt is engaged or retracted by an outside key or an inside thumb-turn.  When the deadbolt is engaged the outside grip is locked and will not retract the latchbolt.  When the deadbolt is engaged the inside grip simultaneously retracts both the deadbolt and the latchbolt.  The latchbolt alone can be locked by a toggle (engaging the deadbolt is not required to lock the outside grip).

Classroom Security Lockset - The deadbolt is engaged or retracted by key on either side.  When the deadbolt is engaged the outside grip is locked and will not retract the latchbolt.  When the deadbolt is engaged the inside grip simultaneously retracts both the deadbolt and the latchbolt and leaves the outside grip unlocked.

Dormitory Lockset -The deadbolt is engaged or retracted by an outside key or an inside thumb-turn.  When the deadbolt is engaged the outside grip is locked and will not retract the latchbolt.  The latchbolt is retracted by the grip on either side as long as the deadbolt is retracted.  When the deadbolt is engaged the inside grip simultaneously retracts both the deadbolt and the latch.

Storeroom Lockset - The latchbolt is retracted by the grip on either side.  The deadbolt is engaged or retracted by the outside key or the inside key / thumb-turn.  The latch and deadbolt operate independently.

Store Door Lockset - The latchbolt is retracted by the grip on either side.  The deadbolt is engaged or retracted by the key on either side.  The latch and deadbolt operate independently. 

Deadbolt Only

Deadlock - The deadbolt is engaged and retracted by an outside key.  An optional inside key or thumb-turn will engage or retract deadbolt.

Classroom Deadlock - The deadbolt is engaged and retracted by an outside key.  An inside thumb-turn will retract the deadbolt only (it will not engage the deadbolt).  An optional inside key will engage the deadbolt.

Article Updated: February 24, 2020

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