Falcon MA851 Storeroom-Fail Safe Mortise Lock

The Falcon MA851 is the electrified version of the storeroom function in the Falcon MA Series mortise lock line. The outside lever isn't controlled by a button on the inside trim or a T-turn on the rose. It's controlled by voltage. When the access control system applies power to the lock, the outside lever locks. When power is removed - or when the system cuts power during a fire alarm or emergency - the outside lever releases and the door operates freely. That's the fail-safe behavior: fails to the unlocked state when power is lost.

This is the correct mortise lock specification for fire-rated corridor doors connected to a fire alarm panel, egress route doors in healthcare and institutional buildings where life safety codes require unlocked egress during emergencies, and any controlled-access opening where a power failure should default to free passage rather than locked out. For all electrified locks and access control hardware, browse our electronic hardware catalog. For all Falcon mortise locks, view our mortise locks catalog.

Fail Safe vs. Fail Secure: The Critical Specification Decision

Fail safe means the door unlocks when power fails. The MA851 is fail safe.

Failure to secure means the door stays locked when power fails. The MA851 does not have fail-secure behavior.

Before specifying this lock, confirm which fail mode the opening requires with the Authority Having Jurisdiction. Egress routes and fire-rated doors in many jurisdictions must use fail-safe hardware so the door releases during a fire event or power outage. High-security areas where an unlocked door during a power failure creates a security risk use fail-secure hardware instead.

How the MA851 Works in an Access Control System

In the normal controlled state, the access control panel supplies power to the lock and the outside lever is locked. A key in the outside cylinder can still retract the latch bolt even when the lever is electrically locked - mechanical key override is always available regardless of electrical state. When a valid credential is presented to the reader, the access control panel removes power momentarily, the outside lever unlocks, the door can be opened, and power restored after a timed cycle.

When the fire alarm activates or the panel cuts power for any reason, the lever releases immediately. The inside lever is always free at all times. Deadlocking latch engages automatically when the door closes.

Cylinder Options

The MA851 has four cylinder configurations, more than the standard MA Series mechanical locks:

P is the standard 6-pin mortise cylinder with G keyway. CP6 uses a Schlage C keyway cylinder for facilities running Schlage C master key programs. B accepts a BEST SFIC core for facilities running BEST-compatible interchangeable core programs. L is the less-cylinder option for applications where mechanical key access is not required and the lock is controlled entirely through the access control system.

Falcon MA851 Full Specifications

• ANSI/BHMA: 156.13, Series 1000, Grade 1 Security and Grade 1 Operational

• UL: 3-hour A label

• Function: Storeroom, Fail Safe, Electrically Controlled

• Fail mode: Fail safe, outside lever unlocks when power is removed

• Power: 12 or 24 VAC or VDC (specify at order)

• Outside lever when energized: Locked

• Outside lever when de-energized: Unlocked (fail safe)

• Key override: Yes, key in outside cylinder retracts latch regardless of electrical state

• Inside lever: Always free

• Latchbolt: Two-piece stainless steel, anti-friction, 3/4" projection, deadlocking

• Deadbolt: 1" throw, stainless steel, two 13/16" hardened steel saw-resistant rollers

• Case: Cold-formed steel, zinc dichromate plated, 0.090" thick

• Hubs: Hardened steel

• Faceplate: 1-1/4" x 8", adjustable for door bevel, heavy-gauge steel reinforced

• Strike: Brass or stainless steel, non-handed, meets ANSI A115.1

• Backset: 2-3/4" only

• Door thickness: 1-3/8" to 2-1/2"

• Handing: Right hand standard, field reversible without opening case

• Cylinders: P (6-pin G keyway standard), CP6 (Schlage C), B (BEST SFIC prep), Keys: 2 nickel silver standard

• Levers: Dane (D), Quantum (Q), Sutro (S), Hana (H)

• Escutcheons: Gala (G), Napa (N)

• Finishes: 626 Satin Chrome, 613 Oil Rubbed Bronze, 630 Satin Stainless Steel

• Resources: MA Series Catalog and Locks Product Catalog in Resources section

MA851 vs. Other MA Series Functions

The MA851 sits in a different product tier from the MA311, MA321, and MA521. Those three are mechanical locks with optional electrified configurations. The MA851 is an electrified lock from the ground up - the outside lever control is the function itself, not an optional add-on. It draws continuous low voltage from the access control panel and releases on power removal.

The Falcon MA521 is the mechanical entry/office function with face button control for buildings that need inside-staff access control without connecting to an access control panel. The MA851 is for buildings running a full electronic access control system where door events need to be logged, credentials need to be managed, and the fail mode needs to be code-compliant.