The bolt of a safe lock varies depending on the construction of the safe. As such, electronic safe locks may be available with different bolt types. The correct type should be selected according to how it is expected to interact with the boltworks of the safe.

The BSI ‘Code of practice for the reconditioning of used safes and secure cabinets BS 7582:2021’ requires that “If a new replacement lock is fitted, then this should be of the same or more secure performance. The size, type and throw of the lock bolt and the minimum engagement with the boltwork should not be less than the original”

Adjustments to a safe to use a bolt type that it was not intended to work with, will almost certainly reduce the security, and remove all certification and insurance ratings.

Live relockers

Many safes are constructed with live relockers – security mechanisms which are connected to the lock’s bolt and move when the lock’s bolt moves. Live relockers are used with manually driven deadbolt locks or motorised deadbolt locks.

Key locks and mechanical combination locks

All key locks and mechanical combination locks are manually driven deadbolts, as such, the only electronic lock bolt types that should be used for replacement are manually driven deadbolt locks, or motorised deadbolt locks.

Opening and closing

Depending on the bolt type, the method for opening varies. Below is a list of the opening and closing methods for each bolt type. In many circumstances it may be necessary to also open other locks such as key locks before opening the electronic safe lock, and it may also be necessary to turn additional safe handles before the safe door can be opended.

Deadbolt locks

Also known as ‘direct drive’, ‘deadlock’

  • Opening: Once the code is accepted, a spindle connected to a keypad or knob or is turned to retract the lock’s bolt into the lock’s body.
  • Closing: The keypad or knob must be turned to close the lock’s bolt and secure the lock.

Swingbolt locks

Also known as ‘pivot bolt’

  • Opening: Once the code is accepted, the bolt is pushed back into the lock body by turning a safe handle.
  • Closing: Turning the safe handle allows the bolt to spring back into the closed and secured position.

Latchbolt locks

Also known as ‘slambolts’ , ‘slam locks’ ‘springbolts’

Latchbolt locks are not certified for use with graded EN 1143-1, EN 1143-2 safes or EN 14450 secure cabinets because the bolt can be physically pushed open to allow the ‘slamming’ action, and is therefore more vulnerable than a deadbolt or swingbolt which cannot be pushed open until the code is accepted.

An electronic latchbolt lock may be fitted to an inner compartment inside a graded safe.

  • Opening: Once the code is accepted, a spindle connected to a keypad or knob or is turned to retract the lock’s bolt into the lock’s body. Springs on the latchbolt force the bolt into the closed position as soon as the keypad or knob is released.
  • Closing: Latchbolts are angled and have springs which force the bolt into the closed position as soon as the keypad or knob is released. The bolt can be physically pushed open, as such the door can be slammed shut into the strikeplate, as with the latchbolt locks on doors.

Motorbolts (Sprung)

Also known as ‘motor deadbolt’, ‘deadbolt’, ‘motor driven deadbolt’, ‘motorised deadbolt’, ‘motor lock’

  • Opening: Once the code is accepted, a motor within the lock body drives to retract the lock’s bolt.
  • Closing: Sprung motorbolts may be automatic (The motor drives to close after a specified period of time) or manual (A button must be pressed to close the bolt). In both cases, the lock’s bolt is sprung, and so it can be held back in the open position by boltworks, and then springs shut when the boltworks are released.

Motorbolts (Without springs)

Also known as ‘push-pull’ , ‘motor lock’

  • Opening: Once the code is accepted, a motor within the lock body drives to retract the lock’s bolt.
  • Closing: Motorbolts without springs drive to close with great force. To prevent damage to the lock, or safe boltwork, the lock will not drive to close until a door switch indicates that the door is closed and boltworks have been thrown.

Motor-latchbolt

Also known as ‘motor-latch’, ‘motor-slam’, ‘motor lock latchbolt’

Latchbolt locks are not certified for use with graded EN 1143-1, EN 1143-2 safes or EN 14450 secure cabinets because the bolt can be physically pushed open to allow the ‘slamming’ action, and is therefore more vulnerable than a deadbolt or swingbolt which cannot be pushed open until the code is accepted.

A motor-latchbolt lock may be fitted to an inner compartment inside a graded safe.

  • Opening: Once the code is accepted, a motor within the lock body drives to retract the lock’s bolt.
  • Closing: Latchbolts are angled and have springs which force the bolt into the closed position as soon as the the motor has driven to close. The bolt can be physically pushed open, so the door can be slammed shut into the strikeplate, as with the latchbolt locks on doors

Motorbolt: bolt force

A motorbolt lock may be listed with a ‘bolt force’ – which describes the amount of force that can be exerted against opening or closing. In most instances the measurement is relevant to the mass (In grams and kilograms) of the boltwork and live relockers that can be pushed or pulled by the bolt. The bolt force measurement is specified in Newtons, online resources such as this show a formula for calculating mass. In very general terms, see the examples below:

  • A bolt force 2.5 N should not push or pull a mass of more than 250 grams
  • A bolt force of 5 N should not push or pull a mass of more than 500 grams
  • A bolt force of 30 N should not push or pull a mass of more than 3 kilograms

Where a motorbolt lock lists two separate bolt forces, this represents the force that can be exerted to pull (When opening) and push (When closing) the difference usually comes from where the motorbolt lock is sprung, and so has the ability to pull a heavy weight with a motor, but has springs which only exert minimal force for closure.