As with any piece of home hardware, consumers expect a certain degree of quality. When it comes to keeping your home and valuables safe with locks in particular, these quality standards go from nicety to necessity, having a tangible impact on the insurability of property (but more on that later). The TLDR is that your exterior doors should conform to a minimum standard, such as BS3621. If a lock is not robust enough, it provides little challenge to intruders who might try and force entry.
As a home is burgled every two minutes in the UK, you should do everything you can to protect yourself. And a BS3621 lock is an excellent first line of defence.
What is BS3621?
The ‘BS’ in BS3621 – British Standard – refers to the UK’s national standards body, who define best practices for many industries, and whose guidelines often crop up in contracts and building specifications. The British Standards Institute was founded more than a century ago and sets its technical standards around quality, reliability and security. BS3621 is one of their most well-known standards.
What is a BS3621 Lock?
The BS3621 standard was created in the 1960s and applies to locks used to secure most external doors in the UK. Its purpose is to ensure that the locks on front and back doors offer a certain degree of thief resistance. As a homeowner, it’s essential to check that your lock conforms to this quality standard as it guarantees a definitive level of quality and, thus, security – vital in protecting your home and your family.
BS3621 generally applies to wooden and timber doors in homes, i.e. those using mortice and cylinder rim locks, but there are industrial applications as well. To get technical, it’s a minimum standard for doors with ‘keyed egress’ – all that really means is that a key is used to open or lock the door.
For a lock to meet BS3621’s high standards, it must adhere to the following:
- The lock should have at least five movable levers
- Screws must not be accessible while the door is closed and locked
- The lock must be protected from drilling – usually achieved with a metal plate
- The lock must have at least 1,000 different key patterns
There are many other minor requirements, but the above demonstrate how BS3621 ensures the most secure external door locks.
What are the Benefits of BS3621?
Put simply, you know a BS3621 lock provides a quality defence for your property, one that goes above and beyond the minimal legal requirement. They’re tested against some of the more common home invasion techniques, such as drilling and lock-picking, and must put up a certain amount of protection against them.
You’ll also be pleased to know that since the BSI is an independent organisation, lock manufacturers are required to undergo inspections time and time again, which are assessed by a third-party. With annual production sample testing and factory production checks as part of the BS3621 parcel, you can rest assured that consistency is never overlooked.
Likewise, BS3621 locks are also a minimum requirement of many UK home insurance companies. If you’re looking to insure your home or don’t want to inadvertently increase the cost of changing your locks by doing it wrong the first time, you should check that your locks are compliant. If you are a landlord, this task might even fall under your rental responsibilities if the existing locks aren’t up to scratch.
How do I Check if my Locks are BS3621 Compliant?
To identify a BS3621 lock, you need to do two things:
- You need to check the faceplate of the lock, which you can see on the side of the door when it’s open. The first thing you need to check for is the British Standard Kitemark. The Kitemark should be engraved on the lock if it’s compliant.
- If the BSI Kitemark is present, check underneath it for the standard number. You should see ‘BS3621’ stamped or engraved – it might have other information such as the exact standard year, such as 2017.
If these are both engraved on the lock, rest assured that it complies with BS3621. Contact a trusted local locksmith for advice if you’re unsure at any point.
What if my BS3621 Lock is Out of Date?
As with any quality trademark, you can expect its issuer to upgrade the methodology over time as advancements are made in the relevant production techniques. With the BS3621 standard, you don’t need to worry too much about which version your locks indicate; after all, the year of your lock’s certification is secondary to it. This said, professional locksmiths will recommend you opt for the latest one if you do happen to experience door locking problems and replace your existing locksets.
Here are the various versions of the standard, their names indicating when they were introduced and updated.
- BS 3621:2017+A1:2024 – the most up-to-date version.
- BS 3621:2017
- BS 3621:2007+A2:2012
- BS 3621:1998
- BS 3621:1980
- BS 3621:1963 – the original standard introduced.
Which Locks Comply with BS3621?
Again, when looking for a new door lock, you should check that it conforms with BS3621. Many different types do, so you should have plenty of choices. Locks that typically meet the standard include:
- Mortice sash lock
- Mortice dead lock (for more information, check out our dedicated guide)
- Euro sash lock
- Euro deadlock
- (Some) night latches
- (Some) rim locks
FYI: Remember that a BS3621 lock needs a minimum of five levers, so three lever mortice locks won’t meet the criteria.
Quickfire FAQs
Before we bring this guide to a close, let’s spend a little time addressing some of the most frequently asked questions about British Standard locks.
How Much Does a BS3621 Lock cost?
BS3621 locks will cost a little more than your budget alternative that only meets the minimum requirements; however, their superior performance makes up for it. To learn more about what to expect price tag-wise, check out our detailed price guide.
Are They Worth It?
Definitely. While you can’t put a price on peace of mind, preventing home burglaries and break-ins will leave you more well-off physically and mentally in the long run.
Are British Standard Locks a Legal Requirement?
In short, no. British Standards aren’t legally binding, but they are often used to support contractual requirements and can form part of the law when specific standards are needed. Because British Standard locks are tested more thoroughly than the minimum safety requirements, you can rest assured that they will do a stellar job.
Does BS3621 Apply to Smart Locks?
It really depends on the smart lock in question. Some fit to locks that don’t meet the BSI’s exacting requirements, so you have to be extra careful to check. This said, there are many digital locking systems that can be combined with BS3621 insurance-rated deadlocks for that superior level of security.
Are There Other British Standard Locks to Look Out For?
Of course, there are plenty more British Standards that apply to locks. For instance, BS8621 and BS10621 are both quality standards that appear in commercial contexts such as offices as well as in buildings with lots of occupants, i.e., flats and apartments. Nevertheless, the pair are less commonly seen, when BS3621 covers most bases.
Get up to (British) Standard
Now you’re at the end of this article, you probably have a much better idea of what constitutes a British Standard lock, and how BS3621 gives homeowners peace of mind that they are protected. That only leaves one question: are your locks up to scratch?
Take this as your sign to give them an inspection; you may find that some of them are older than you initially expected. So, whether you simply want to feel a bit more secure or you’re looking to sure up your home insurance agreement, it’s time to start checking.
Still feel like there’s gaps in your knowledge? Or perhaps you want to ask about the process of getting those locks upgraded? Either way, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the York Locksmith Company today. Alternatively, you can turn to the rest of our blog for further specialist advice on securing your home or business.
