Patrick Jefferies Dip GAI
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NEWSPSI Panel: Martyn’s Law
PSI Panel: Martyn’s Law
2025-10-30
1 min read
What impact do you think Martyn’s Law will have on security installations going forward and is there anything that companies should be doing now to help prepare public spaces for when the Act comes into force? Which technologies do you think will play a major role in the protection of events and venues and how can they best be applied?
Pat Jefferies, Commercial Director at Abloy UK
“Martyn’s Law marks a pivotal shift in how we think about preparedness and protection in public spaces. While the legislation won’t take full effect for some time, now is the critical window for security professionals to be readying premises and facilities.
“One key concept gaining increasing relevance is dynamic lockdown - the ability to quickly secure a building or area while still ensuring safe means of escape. Achieving this dual function relies on correct specification and installation of compliant escape and access control solutions. In the event of a terrorist attack, dynamic lockdown can provide critical time to protect lives.
“The Construction Products Regulation (CPR) and standards such as BS EN 179 and BS EN 1125 already define legal requirements for emergency and panic escape doors. Yet we frequently see non-compliant products - particularly electro-magnetic locks - used on escape routes, which are not only unsafe in crisis scenarios but may also render organisations liable.
“To meet the future requirements of Martyn’s Law, organisations must ensure their access control systems support dynamic lockdown principles. This means integrating fail-locked, electrically controlled locks that maintain security without impeding escape, and ensuring all hardware is CE marked and tested to the relevant standards.
“The path to compliance is not just technical, it’s educational. Training, such as that offered by the Abloy Academy, plays a vital role in raising awareness of compliant solutions and legal obligations.
“As an industry, we must move away from cost-driven compromises and towards resilient, legally sound security infrastructures. Preparing for Martyn’s Law isn’t just about ticking regulatory boxes, it’s about building systems that stand up to real-world threats, and now is the time to act to get the correct access control provisions in place.”
For further information on products and services available from Abloy, visit www.abloy.co.uk call 01902 364 500, or email info@abloy.co.uk.
Martyn’s Law readiness