Choosing between magnetic locks and electric strikes is a fundamental decision in commercial access control. Learn how locking hardware impacts security, fire code compliance, and installation.
Core Mechanical Differences and Operation
Electromagnetic locks (maglocks) and electric strikes handle locking and unlocking using fundamentally different physical mechanics. A maglock uses an electromagnet mounted to the door frame and an armature plate mounted on the door to maintain a hold through continuous electrical current. In contrast, an electric strike replaces the standard stationary strike plate inside the door frame and electronically releases the latch mechanism when triggered.
Because electric strikes interact with mechanical door hardware such as cylindrical levers or crash bars, the door stays physically latched even when unlocked. Maglocks have no moving mechanical parts, meaning the door swings freely the instant electrical power cuts. This mechanical distinction dictates how each locking type behaves during day-to-day traffic and emergency egress events.
Fail-Safe vs. Fail-Secure Behavior
The operational state during a power outage is the most critical functional difference between these hardware types. Maglocks are inherently fail-safe, meaning they require constant power to stay locked and release automatically when power drops. If an unexpected power loss occurs and no backup power supply is in place, a maglock will leave the opening unsecured.
Electric strikes are typically installed in a fail-secure configuration on perimeter doors, meaning they remain locked from the exterior during power loss. Authorized egress from the inside remains possible at all times through the mechanical lever or panic bar. This configuration allows commercial facilities across the Philadelphia area and South Jersey to maintain perimeter security during outages without compromising occupant safety.
Life Safety and Fire Code Considerations
Maglocks are subject to strict life safety standards under NFPA 101 and the International Building Code because they can impede emergency exit. A code-compliant maglock installation generally requires a motion-based request-to-exit (REX) sensor, a secondary pneumatic exit button wired directly in series with the lock power, and a dedicated tie-in to the building fire alarm control panel. If the fire alarm activates, the system must immediately drop power to release the lock.
Electric strikes bypass many of these secondary life safety requirements because single-motion mechanical egress is built directly into the handle or panic bar. Depressing the interior lever retracts the latch bolt mechanically, regardless of whether the strike plate is energized. This mechanical override simplifies permitting and passes local building inspections with fewer peripheral devices.
Door Types and Installation Realities
Physical door construction plays a decisive role in hardware selection. Maglocks are well-suited for all-glass doors, gates, and heavy retrofits where cutting into the door frame is impractical or structurally prohibited. However, surface-mounted maglocks and exposed conduit can detract from interior architectural aesthetics if not carefully planned.
Electric strikes provide a clean, concealed look because the locking mechanism and wiring remain hidden inside the door jamb. However, installing a strike often requires cutting and mortising hollow metal or storefront aluminum frames on-site. Misaligned doors, sagging hinges, and weatherstripping backpressure can also cause latch binding, requiring hardware adjustments before an electric strike will release reliably.
Selecting the Right Hardware for Your Facility
For standard commercial perimeter entries and interior office suites, electric strikes paired with commercial locksets or exit devices are usually the preferred design. They preserve mechanical egress, keep exterior openings secure during power interruptions, and eliminate the need for complex fire alarm disconnect relays.
Maglocks remain the practical solution for frameless glass conference rooms, interior double-door retrofits, or applications where mechanical latching hardware is impossible to mount. Evaluating your door construction, traffic patterns, and local life safety requirements during the design phase ensures a reliable installation that avoids costly rework during inspection.
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