Paxton has launched a redesigned version of its PaxLock Pro2 wireless access control handle, combining electronic access control with fire resistance and safe egress requirements for commercial and public sector buildings.
The updated handle meets FD30 and FD60 fire resistance requirements and is certified to EN 179 for emergency escape applications. Paxton says the redesign focuses on durability, simplified installation and improved functionality, incorporating feedback from installers.
The PaxLock Pro2 integrates the electronic locking mechanism, access control reader, control unit and battery supply into a single door handle. According to Paxton, virtually all components have been updated, with the redesigned locking mechanism tested through more than one million operating cycles.
Supporting Fire Safety and Safe Egress
Integrating access control into fire-rated doors requires careful consideration of both fire compartmentation and emergency escape. While fire-rated doors help restrict the spread of fire, access-controlled doors must also provide suitable means of escape when required.
Paxton states that the PaxLock Pro2 meets FD30 and FD60 fire resistance requirements and EN 179, which covers emergency exit devices operated by a lever handle or push pad. These specifications support its intended use in environments where electronic security must be considered alongside fire and life safety requirements.
Improved Functionality and Privacy
The redesigned handle introduces a privacy button in response to installer feedback. This feature allows occupants to secure a room from the inside, preventing access from outside until the privacy function is released.
The product is designed to support both standalone and networked access control installations. It can operate offline or integrate with Paxton’s Net2 and Paxton10 access control systems.
For Paxton10 installations, the handle incorporates a dual-frequency RFID reader and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology, enabling the use of compatible mobile credentials.
Paxton also says the product is available in a single variant for both internal and external doors, potentially simplifying hardware selection and reducing the need to specify different models across a project.
Battery Performance and Installation
The PaxLock Pro2 is specified to deliver up to 55,000 operations, equivalent to approximately two years of battery life, on a single set of batteries. A capacitive wake-up function activates the handle when a credential is presented.
Paxton says installer feedback played an important role in the redesign, with updates intended to simplify installation and improve the product’s long-term durability.
Integrating Access Control with Life Safety
The launch highlights the importance of coordinating electronic access control with a building’s wider fire and life safety strategy. Fire-rated doors play a critical role in maintaining compartmentation, while access-controlled doors must support appropriate escape arrangements during an emergency.
By combining wireless access control, locking functionality and battery power in a single unit, the PaxLock Pro2 is designed to provide a consolidated solution for projects requiring electronic security alongside fire resistance and safe egress considerations.
As with any access-controlled fire door installation, the complete door assembly, hardware configuration and escape arrangements should be assessed to ensure they meet the applicable building regulations and project-specific requirements.
