If you've ever stood in a hardware aisle (or scrolled a supplier catalogue) staring at a wall of near-identical toilet cubicle locks, you're not alone. Metlam's lock and indicator set range is deep because toilet partition systems themselves aren't standardised — different builders, different door thicknesses, different compliance requirements. This guide sorts the real differences from the cosmetic ones.
What a lock and indicator set actually is
Every set does the same basic job: a turnbolt or slide lock on the inside of the door, paired with an indicator on the outside that shows vacant/engaged (usually red/white or similar), plus a staple or strike that the bolt engages with. The variation between series comes down to fixing method, backset, handle style, and whether it's AS1428.1 accessible-compliant.
The series, compared
- 100 series (visible fix, turnbolt) — 100_LOCK_SCP, $22.90. The simplest, most economical option for standard (non-accessible) cubicles.
- 100A series (visible fix, T-handle) — 100A_LOCK_SCP, $23.87. Same fixing, easier-to-grip handle.
- 200 series (visible fix, turnbolt) — 200_LOCK_SCP, $16.93. Metlam's lowest-cost standard set.
- 200A series (visible fix, safety handle) — 200A_LOCK_SCP, $24.31. Adds a safety-release handle.
- 300 series (concealed fix) — 300_LOCK_SCP, $24.10. The most commonly specified concealed-fix set for standard cubicles; also available as 300_CFF_V ($30.62) and 300_CFF_H ($34.95) format variants.
- 300 Safety Turn — 300_SAFELOCK_SCP, $40.44 — adds an emergency safety-turn release.
- 300 Ambulant (AS1428.1) — 300 AMBULANT Series, $135.70 (supplied as the full ambulant kit) — compliant for accessible/ambulant cubicles.
- 300 Morticed — 300_MORT60_SCP, $88.92, and 300 Morticed Safety — 300_SAFEMORT60_SCP, $80.83 — for doors needing a mortice rather than a surface-fixed set.
- 500 series (slide lock) — 500_SLIDELOCK_SCP, $27.84. A slide-action alternative to the turnbolt action.
- 700 series (concealed fix, integrated bumper) — 700_SS_LOCK, $46.68. Heavier-duty, with the door bumper built into the set.
- Moda (AS1428.1 ambulant) — MODA_LOCK_SCP, $32.56, with an emergency-release variant MODA_ERLOCK_SCP at $33.79. Metlam's main contemporary ambulant-compliant line.
- Sera (AS1428.1 ambulant) — SERA_LOCK_SCP, $33.79, emergency-release version SERA_ERLOCK_SCP, $32.69. A styling alternative to Moda at a near-identical price point — we cover Sera's antimicrobial option in our dedicated Sera guide.
- Xcel (AS1428.1 ambulant, anti-pull-through) — XCEL_SLIDELOCK_SCP, $45.62. The premium option with a reinforced anti-pull-through fixing.
- Easyfit (through-door fixing) — EASYFIT_LOCK_SCP, $27.14. Designed for simple retrofit installs without concealed fixing hardware.
How to choose
Start with compliance: if the cubicle needs to be AS1428.1 ambulant-accessible, you're choosing between Moda, Sera, Xcel or the 300 Ambulant kit — not the 100/200/300/500/700 standard sets. From there it's fixing method (visible vs concealed) and budget. For a straightforward refit where budget matters most, the 200 or 300 series covers most jobs. For new ambulant-compliant builds, Moda and Sera sit at the same price point, so it comes down to the handle styling you prefer.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an AS1428.1-compliant lock and indicator set?
Only for cubicles designated as ambulant-accessible under the Building Code of Australia / AS1428.1. Standard cubicles can use any of the 100–700 series sets that suit the door's fixing method.
What's the difference between a turnbolt and a slide lock?
A turnbolt rotates to engage the strike; a slide lock (500 series, Xcel) slides horizontally. Slide locks are generally easier to operate for users with limited grip strength, which is part of why Moda, Sera and Xcel use slide-action mechanisms for ambulant compliance.
Can I mix a Moda lock with a non-Moda hinge or bumper?
Technically the fixings are often compatible, but for a consistent finish and guaranteed fit we'd recommend matching the lock series to the matching hinge and bumper series, or just starting from one of the ready-to-go hardware kits, which pair a lock, hinges and a bumper from the same series.
Is a concealed-fix or visible-fix set better?
Concealed fix (300, 700 series) gives a cleaner finished look with no visible screws on the door face, but visible-fix sets (100, 200 series) are simpler and cheaper to install, particularly for retrofits.