Is an electromagnetic lock legal on a commercial exit door in NYC?

Yes, electromagnetic locks are legal on commercial exit doors in New York City, but only when installed with the correct combination of fail-safe hardware and egress provisions. A plain mag-lock bolted to a door frame with no override is a code violation. The NYC Fire Code and Department of Buildings rules both have something to say about this, and getting it wrong can mean a violation, a failed inspection, or worse, a blocked exit during an emergency.

Here is what the code actually requires, what hardware satisfies it, and where Brooklyn landlords, supers, and business owners most commonly get this wrong.

What does NYC code actually require for an electromagnetic lock on an exit door?

An electromagnetic lock, sometimes called a mag-lock, holds a door shut using a magnetic bond between a coil mounted to the frame and a strike plate mounted to the door. The core legal requirement is fail-safe operation: when power is cut, the lock must release and allow free egress. A fail-secure lock, which stays locked during a power failure, is not legal on a required exit door in any occupancy where people must be able to leave freely.

Beyond fail-safe, NYC code requires that any mag-lock on an exit door be equipped with a request-to-exit device. This is typically a passive infrared motion sensor mounted above the door on the egress side. When someone approaches, it signals the lock to release before they touch the door. Common and code-compliant options include the Securitron EM-1 request-to-exit sensor and the RCI 2030 series. These pair well with Securitron MagnaLock 62 or SDC 1511 series mag-locks, both of which are reliable units we work with regularly for Bushwick storefronts and Bed-Stuy mixed-use buildings.

FDNY rules also require that mag-locks tied to a fire alarm system release automatically upon alarm activation. If your building has a fire alarm panel, the mag-lock must be wired to it. This is not optional. A licensed electrician or low-voltage contractor needs to make that connection, and it should be documented for any DOB or FDNY inspection.

On fire-rated doors specifically, there are additional constraints. A fire-rated door must have a self-closing hinge or door closer installed so it returns to the latched position on its own. The mag-lock does not replace that requirement. You still need the closer. LCN 4111 and Norton 1600 series door closers are standard choices that satisfy this requirement on most commercial frames.

What exit hardware is legally required on the egress side of a commercial door in Brooklyn?

The egress side of a commercial exit door has specific hardware requirements depending on occupancy. In an assembly occupancy, a retail space, or any building with more than 49 occupants on a floor, the exterior exit doors generally require panic hardware - also called an exit device or crash bar. The Von Duprin 99 series and the Sargent 8800 series are two of the most common exit devices used on commercial doors in Downtown Brooklyn and Greenpoint. They allow free egress with a single motion push and meet ADA hardware requirements at the same time.

ADA compliance matters here. The force required to open an exit door must not exceed 5 lbs on the latch side for interior doors in most commercial applications. Hardware with lever handles or push bars satisfies this. A round knob does not. If you are retrofitting an older Williamsburg storefront door or a prewar walk-up with new exit hardware, the ADA requirement applies to the hardware selection, not just the door width.

For multifamily buildings, the NYC tenant lock law gives residents the right to install their own lock on their unit door, but that applies to the apartment door, not the building's common egress doors. Common exit doors in a multifamily building fall under DOB and NYC Fire Code rules, and the super or landlord is responsible for keeping them compliant. A self-closing hinge is required on fire-rated stairwell doors. Propping those doors open is a fire code violation.

Roll-down gate locks on storefront gates are a separate category. A roll-down or rolling gate in front of a commercial entrance requires a roll-down gate permit from DOB if it includes a motorized operator. The lock cylinder on the gate itself typically does not require a permit, but if the gate blocks the required exit path, it cannot be locked from the outside while the space is occupied.

How does buzzer entry and access control interact with egress requirements in a Williamsburg multifamily?

A buzzer entry or video intercom system on the front door of a Williamsburg or Greenpoint walk-up does not by itself create a code problem. The issue arises when an electromagnetic lock is part of that system. If a tenant presses the intercom code, the landlord buzzes them in, and the door releases from a fail-safe mag-lock, that setup is generally code-compliant as long as the mag-lock fails open and a request-to-exit device allows people to leave from the inside without using the intercom.

Where buildings get into trouble is when the inside release requires a fob, a code, or any action beyond a simple motion sensor or push-to-exit button. The interior side of any required exit must allow free egress with no credential required. A push-to-exit button mounted on the wall, wired to the mag-lock controller, is an acceptable solution. A Schlage CO-200 or HID multiCLASS reader on the inside of an exit door is not.

If you are a landlord, super, or business owner in Greenpoint, East Williamsburg, or anywhere else in the five boroughs trying to sort out whether your current setup is legal, call B & G Locksmith at (347) 699-9268. We can look at your door, your hardware, and your access control setup and tell you straight what passes and what does not. We are the locksmith counter inside B & G Hardware at 210 Roebling St in Williamsburg. Walk in, and we will talk it through in person.

Frequently asked questions

Does NYC require a door closer on a fire-rated exit door?

Yes. Any fire-rated door in a multifamily or commercial building must have a self-closing hinge or door closer installed. Without one, you are out of compliance with both the NYC Fire Code and DOB regulations. B & G stocks LCN and Norton closers that work on standard 3/0 frames.

Is a double cylinder deadbolt legal on an apartment exit door in NYC?

No. A double cylinder deadbolt, which requires a key on both sides, is illegal on any residential unit entry or egress door in NYC. The NYC Fire Code requires free egress, meaning occupants must be able to exit without a key. Single cylinder deadbolts with a thumb-turn on the inside are required.

Can a landlord install a keypad or buzzer entry on a Williamsburg multifamily building without a permit?

A basic intercom or buzzer system generally does not require a DOB permit. However, if you are adding an electromagnetic lock, access control wiring, or an electric strike tied to that intercom code system, you may need a licensed electrician and a permit depending on the scope. Call us and we can tell you what applies to your specific building.