Short Answer

The difference between the McGrath F05 and F54 ANSI mortice locks is straightforward:

• F05 is a latch-only mortice lock with no deadbolt.
• F54 includes a 1-inch throw mechanical deadbolt in addition to the latch.

If you are installing a smart lock or fitting hardware to a fire-rated door, the F05 is usually the safer and simpler choice. The F54 should only be used where a mechanical deadbolt is specifically required and the compliance implications are understood.

For context on why mortice lock selection matters on fire doors specifically, see Chapter 05 — Fire Door Smart Locks in the Smart Lock Buyer’s Guide.

This guide was reviewed and updated in May 2026.

What the F05 and F54 Have in Common

Both are Grade 1 commercial mortice locks built to the same durability standard. The difference is not build quality — it is function.

What is BHMA Grade 1? BHMA (Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association) Grade 1 is the highest commercial grade certification under the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) hardware testing regime. It requires the highest cycle counts, force resistance, and durability thresholds. Grade 1 is commonly specified in Australian commercial projects as the benchmark for high-traffic and institutional applications. For Australian standards context, see Chapter 11 — Australian Smart Lock Standards.

The Key Difference: Deadbolt vs No Deadbolt

The anti-friction latch is the spring-loaded bolt that retracts automatically when the handle is pressed and re-engages when the door closes. This is the primary function both locks share — and the only locking function the F05 has.

The deadbolt is a separate, independently operated bolt that must be deliberately extended and retracted using a key or turn. It projects 25mm (1 inch) beyond the face of the lock and engages a separate strike in the door frame.

F05 — Latch Only

• 19mm anti-friction spring latch
• No deadbolt
• Locking controlled entirely by the handle, smart lock, or access control system
• Predictable behaviour — no secondary mechanical function to manage
• Simpler compliance on fire-rated doors

F54 — Latch + Deadbolt

• 19mm anti-friction spring latch
• 1-inch throw mechanical deadbolt
• Deadbolt operated by key or turn function independently of the smart lock
• Designed for the McGrath Bardon platform specifically
• On fire doors: deadbolt function must be disabled

The comparison photo in the hero of this page shows both locks side by side with their internal mechanisms visible. On the F54 (right), you can see the additional deadbolt bolt and its extended throw position. The F05 (left) has only the spring latch. For more on bolt throw and what it means for security, see What Is Bolt Throw and Why Does It Matter?

Smart Lock Compatibility in Practice

Both the F05 and F54 are used with smart locks that require an ANSI mortice format, including the McGrath Bardon platform. The difference is how much mechanical control exists outside the smart lock system.

When paired with the F05, the smart lock controls all locking behaviour. There is no mechanical deadbolt to manage, disable, or monitor. The smart lock is the single point of access control, which is clean and unambiguous.

When paired with the F54, the smart lock controls the latch, but a 1-inch mechanical deadbolt still exists within the mortice body. That deadbolt can potentially be operated manually by anyone with access to the correct cylinder key, independent of the smart lock system. This can create access control gaps depending on who holds keys and how the door is managed.

For most smart lock installations, the F05 is preferred precisely because it avoids this ambiguity. Locking is electronic. There is no parallel mechanical locking function to manage.

Fire Door Compliance — Where Most Mistakes Happen

Fire door standards (AS 1905.1 and AS 1530.4) do not permit user-operable deadbolts on fire-rated doors in most configurations. The reason is practical: a protruding deadbolt can prevent a fire door from closing and latching completely under fire conditions, which directly compromises the door’s rated fire integrity.

F05 on fire doors

No deadbolt means no deadbolt-related compliance issues. The F05 naturally avoids the problem and is the straightforward choice for fire-rated smart lock installations.

F54 on fire doors

The F54 can only be used on fire doors when the deadbolt function is permanently disabled and the installation matches an assessed fire door configuration. This requires additional care during specification and must be confirmed by a competent person.

Fire door compliance is system-level — it depends on the complete doorset and hardware configuration, not just the mortice lock alone. For the full picture, see Apartment Fire Doors: What Locks Are Actually Compliant? and Fire Door Types & Smart Lock Certification.

Important: Cylinder Is Not Included with Either Lock

Neither the F05 nor the F54 is supplied with a cylinder. Both locks accept threaded Kawneer mortice cylinders, which must be ordered separately.

This is a common purchasing oversight. Ordering the mortice body without confirming cylinder availability causes unnecessary delays on site. When specifying either lock, confirm your Kawneer cylinder supply at the same time. If you are unsure which cylinder suits your keying system, ask our team before ordering.

Related Guides

Not Sure Which Mortice Lock Your Install Needs?

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