Is a lock on a bedroom door a fire safety code violation?

Answer 1

It depends on your local statutes, and exactly what kind of lock. ALso if an adult or child sleeps in there. If in doubt, call your local Fire Prevention Officer or Fire Chief (There's often an FPO in every station in big cities, in the country there's often one FPO or in smaller areas the chief may serve double-duty).

In general, you can't put a lock on the door that someone inside the door can't open from inside. Not can you put in a two-sided, keyed deadbolt (ie. the person inside could lock themselves in, but could only get out again with the key). Fire dept won't like it, neither will child protective services.

As for one that the occupant can lock to keep others OUT of the room, it would depend. A privacy lock (ie. handle can't turn but can be unlocked with a pen or coin or whatever , depending on design) would likely be accepted in most jurisdictions. That's what most folks have on their bathroom door. A keyed lock that turned easily from the inside (ie. a more high-end entry lock set) is questionable. It would allow the occupant to get out themselves in event of a fire, but would not allow a parent to get a child out, nor a caregiver to get a dependant adult out.