Schlage L9000 Mortise Locks: Functions, Parts and Door Prep

The series

What the L9000 is and how to read its number

This page covers the L9000 lock case in its mechanical and wired electrified functions, not the L400 small case deadbolts, the LE wireless locks or the LM9200 and LM9300 multi-point locks.

Schlage lists the L/LV9000 under ANSI/BHMA A156.13-2017 Series 1000, Grade 1 Operational and Security. With full size interchangeable core (FSIC) cylinders, whose core can be swapped with a control key, it lists Grade 1 Operational and Grade 2 Security, and with small format interchangeable core (SFIC) cylinders Grade 1 Operational and Grade 3 Security.

In the number, L is the standard lock and LV the Vandlgard option, which Schlage says allows the outside lever to rotate freely down when in a locked state. The next digit is 9 for a function with a lock case or 0 for no lock case (dummy trim); the digit after that is 0 for no deadbolt, 1 for dummy trim or 4 for with deadbolt.

The case is cold rolled steel with zinc dichromate plating. The stainless steel latch has a 3/4 inch throw (how far it projects) and an anti-friction tongue; the stainless steel deadbolt has a 1 inch throw.

Schlage also names floating mounting tabs that automatically adjust to fit a beveled door edge, a breakaway spindle, and a field reversible latchbolt that allows change without opening the case. An anti-saw pin is included on deadbolt functions.

For how mortise locks work on any brand, see the commercial mortise lock guide.

Source Schlage's L Series catalog, including its product identification guide and mechanical product specifications, and the L Series service manual.

Door prep

Will it fit my door?

Backset is the distance from the door edge to the center of the lever and cylinder; the armor front is the plate on the door edge that the bolts pass through. The figures cover mechanical and wired electrified locks.

The catalog and template L1 differ on the case width for some electrified functions and on the spacing from the lever to the cylinder and thumbturn; the table gives both. L1's notes say dimensions are maximum for the product and templates are not to scale.

For metal doors, template L1 says suitable reinforcement is required to support the lock case in the center of the door and to prevent the door from compressing when trim is tightened.

Strike part numbers and lip lengths are on the Schlage strike plates page.

Source The mechanical product specifications and armored front list in Schlage's L Series catalog, the L1 lock case dimensions and door prep template, and the ordering pages of the L Series service manual.

Functions

What does each function do?

The function is what each side of the door has (a lever, key cylinder, thumbturn or coin turn) and who can lock or unlock it. The catalog counts 46 standard case mortise functions plus 6 small case mortise deadbolt functions. Schlage's product page says all functions listed beginning with L/LV can be ordered with or without the Vandlgard option.

The entrance/office lock has a key cylinder outside and a thumbturn (a small knob turned by hand) inside; its outside lever is made inoperative by key outside or by turning the inside thumbturn. On the classroom lock it is made inoperative by key outside, and on the classroom security lock, with a key cylinder on both sides, by key from either side.

The apartment entrance lock also has a key cylinder on both sides. Its key outside retracts the latchbolt but cannot lock or unlock the outside lever.

Key override is optional on six mechanical and two electrified functions (special option XL13-439). It allows a key used on the outside to retract the deadbolt and/or latchbolt, overriding the inside thumbturn when it is being held in the locked position.

The table does not list every function in the catalog, which also lists the L0170 and L0172 dummy trims (no armor front or mortise case) and key override variants of several functions.

The catalog prints this caution under the L9066 store lock and the L9582: "Double cylinder locks on any door, in any structure which is used for egress are a life safety hazard in times of emergency and their use is not recommended. Installation should be in accordance with existing codes only."

The mortise deadbolts are on the Schlage commercial deadbolts page.

Source The function pages and notes in Schlage's L Series catalog, and the function list on the L Series product page.

Electrified

Wired electrified functions

The catalog lists 15 wired electrified functions, whose levers or latch are controlled by power wired to the lock. EL means electrically locked, which it calls fail safe, and EU electrically unlocked, which it calls fail secure.

The table gives each function's input voltage and whether a switch on the chassis sets it fail safe or fail secure.

Some lever control functions manage only the outside lever, allowing free egress at all times; others control both levers and should not be used where free exit is required.

Template L1 says provisions must be made to route low voltage wire to the lock, and that the power transfer unit and low voltage wiring are not furnished.

Source The wired electrified pages and specifications in Schlage's L Series catalog, and the L1 lock case dimensions and door prep template.

Fire

Is it fire rated?

The catalog's certification line for the L9000 and its LV version reads: "UL 10C and CAN/ULC-S104 3-hour fire door (except L9076 and L9077)". It adds that electrified functions are UL/ULC listed 3-hour for single-point locking applications.

On the L/LV9076 and L/LV9077 classroom holdback functions, the catalog's note is: "Locks with holdback feature are not UL listed. Installation should be in accordance with existing codes only." The door prep table lists their non-UL armored front.

A spring-loaded fusible link inside the lock case provides fail secure mode in case of fire.

The fire-rated door requirements guide covers the opening itself.

Source The certifications, function notes and armored front list in Schlage's L Series catalog.

Field tasks

Changing the function or the hand

Schlage's Universal Transformation Instructions cover one base model, the L9050, and assume Schlage cylinders and the L283-133 chassis, with levers inside and outside, a cylinder outside and a thumbturn inside.

The hand is determined by the direction the door swings when viewed from the exterior or corridor side. The catalog says the distributor or installer can change it without opening the lock case, in two steps with the case out of the door: the latchbolt is pulled away from the case and rotated 180 degrees, and the lock handing screw moves to the opposite side of the chassis. The screw should always be on the interior side of the door.

The service manual notes that the handing screw location differs between the L Series and LV Series.

Source Schlage's Universal Transformation Instructions for base model L9050, the handing page of the L Series catalog, and the L Series service manual.

Cylinders and trim

Cylinders, keys and trim

The cylinder is the part the key turns. Besides the standard cylinder in the table, the catalog lists concealed mortise cylinder, FSIC, SFIC and 7-pin SL cylinder formats, plus less cylinder options.

Schlage lists open, restricted and Primus security levels, with master keying and construction keying available.

Schlage says its full size interchangeable core cylinders allow immediate rekeying at the door, using the control key to replace the core. The lockset can also be ordered to accept small format interchangeable cores compatible with manufacturers such as Falcon, Arrow and Best.

The trim instructions say a blocking ring (two examples in the table) is used with double cylinders, specific FSIC and SFIC applications and some door thicknesses.

Trim is the levers or knobs and the plate behind them, a round rose or a long escutcheon. Schlage lists 33 lever designs in forged brass and cast stainless steel, and two knob designs; roses cannot be combined with escutcheons.

Source The cylinder, keying and trim pages of Schlage's L Series catalog, the Universal Transformation Instructions, the L Series service manual's ordering pages, and the L/LV9000 lever and rose trim installation instructions.

Templates

Which installation template does it use?

A door template is the drawing used to prepare the door for the lock. Schlage's L-Series Door Template Index lists template L1 for the L/LV/LM/LMV9000 Series lock case dimensions, then templates by function, trim and door material.

The service manual says instruction sheets and door templates can be downloaded from the Allegion website document library at us.allegion.com.

Source Schlage's L-Series Door Template Index and the L Series service manual.

Service

Service for Schlage L9000 locks

Elwin Security installs, repairs and replaces Schlage L9000 mortise locks as part of its commercial locksmith service for commercial and multifamily properties in the San Francisco Bay Area. Calls are answered 8:00 AM-8:00 PM daily at (408) 539-0535.

FAQ

Schlage L9000 questions