Smart locks can be fitted to fire doors — but only with a valid AS1905.1 fire certificate that covers your specific door core type. Here is everything you need to know before touching a fire door lock.
A fire-rated doorset is engineered to contain fire and smoke for a defined period — typically 30 to 60 minutes — buying time for occupants to evacuate. Every component, including the lock, must be individually tested and certified to maintain that containment under fire conditions.
A lock that has not been fire-tested can fail under heat, deforming the frame seal long before the door's rated period expires. Fitting an uncertified lock to a fire door breaches NCC Clause D2.21 and AS1905.1-2015 — and can void building insurance.
Fire doors carry a compliance tag documenting certification. These are deliberately unobtrusive — often hidden in gaps only visible when the door is open. Common locations to check:
This is the most commonly misunderstood aspect of fire door compliance. Certification is not generic — a smart lock must be tested on and hold a certificate for the specific core type of the door it will be fitted to. The three common core types in Australian buildings:
Engineered composite core. Most common in Queensland apartments and commercial buildings. The majority of certified smart locks are tested on E-Core — the broadest coverage.
Higher-density composite core for higher-risk environments. Most fire-certified smart locks also cover Firecore — confirm for your specific product before ordering.
Specialist brand used in premium and custom applications. Fewer smart locks are certified on Pyropanel. Always confirm explicitly — do not assume E-Core certification extends to Pyropanel.
The McGrath Hamilton Disabled Fire Rated is the product we recommend first for fire door smart lock applications. It is one of the very few products in Australia combining AS1905.1 fire certification with DDA lever compliance — the correct specification for apartment entry fire doors that must meet both requirements simultaneously.
Available in Black and Satin Nickel · Fingerprint · PIN · RFID · Bluetooth · Gateway
Hotel-grade RFID smart lock with fire certification, PIN keypad, Bluetooth, and cloud audit trail
| Check | What to Confirm | How |
|---|---|---|
| Is it a fire door? | If yes, only a lock with a fire certificate for your door's core type can be fitted. Our guide shows you how to find the compliance tag. | Check door edge near hinges. Ask building manager. Check construction certificate. |
| Does the certificate match your door? | Confirm the lock's fire certificate covers your core type. Check the certificates page and certification matrix. | Match your door's core type to the product's fire certificate before ordering. |
| Strata by-laws | Does your scheme permit hardware changes to the entry door? Some require body corporate approval before any lock modification. | Review strata by-laws or ask the strata manager directly. |
| Master key requirement | Many schemes require building management to retain master key access. Both the Hamilton and KAS Neo include physical key cylinders that can be masterkeyed to the building system. | Confirm with building manager before selecting any lock for an apartment fire door. |
Tell us your door type, building, and situation. We'll confirm what's compliant, verify the certificate matches your door, and recommend the right product. No charge — and much cheaper than a compliance problem later.
