What Is the Holdback Function and How Does It Work on Borg Mechanical Digital Locks?

Where the snib is, how to switch holdback on and off, when it helps, when to take it out, and which models have it.

Most Borg keypad locks re-lock themselves every time the door closes. That's exactly what you want, right up until you're carrying boxes through the side gate for the tenth time and entering the code on every trip. Holdback is the fix: a small snib on the inside handle that holds the latch back, so the door or gate opens freely until you switch it off.

It's useful in the right place and a liability in the wrong one. This guide covers:

• What holdback does and where the snib is
• How to switch it on and off — the direction depends on how your door is hung
• When you're likely to need it, and when you should take it out
• How to remove it, and which Borg models have it

For how holdback compares with passage mode, see Passage Mode vs Holdback Mode, and for the bigger picture, the passage and holdback section of Buyer's Guide Chapter 16.

What the Holdback Function Does

A Borg lock normally works like this: the latch springs out every time the door or gate closes, and the outside stays locked until someone enters the code. Holdback lets you park the inside handle in its turned position, which keeps the latch withdrawn. While it's on, the door or gate opens from both sides without the code and won't latch when it closes. Release it and the lock is back to normal.

Getting out is never the issue — on Borg's single-sided locks the inside handle opens the door whether holdback is on or off. Holdback is about getting in without the code.

How to Turn Holdback On and Off

The direction depends on which way your door is hung, read from the keypad (outside) side as Borg's manual does. Not sure which yours is? Our guide to working out your door's handing shows how to tell.

Turning holdback on

Turning holdback off

When Are You Likely to Need Holdback?

The short answer: when the same door or gate will be opened again and again over a few hours, by people who shouldn't have to stop and enter the code each time — and someone will be there to switch holdback off afterwards.

Typical situations:

• Moving day, deliveries and loading — furniture, shopping, tools or wheelie bins through a side gate or garage door with your hands full.
• Business hours — a shop, office reception, clinic or clubhouse door used all day by staff and customers, and coded again at closing.
• Busy internal doors — staff rooms, storerooms and print rooms that should be free during the working day and coded after hours.
• Trades, cleaners and changeovers — a landscaper, builder or cleaning crew making dozens of trips through the same gate or service door, including short-stay changeovers.
• Events — a party, open home or club game day where guests come and go through the side gate.

Rule of thumb: holdback works best when it's switched on for a reason and switched off when that reason ends. If nobody will own switching it off, you're probably better off removing it.

When Should You Remove Holdback?

The short answer: when a door or gate left unlatched would be a safety, compliance or security problem — or when the people who can reach the snib aren't the people responsible for the door. Removing it takes the option away, so nobody can leave it on by accident or on purpose.

Two situations come with hard rules:

Never on a fire door: Queensland Fire Department guidance states that "fire doors are required to be self-closing and latching". A latch held back defeats that, which is why fire doors are holdback's one hard exclusion — holdback must never be engaged on one. See why holdback never belongs on a fire door and the Queensland Fire Department fire door information sheet.

Pool safety barrier gates: QBCC requires a pool gate to be self-closing and to self-latch from any open position, and propping one open is an offence (QBCC gates, latches and hinges). Holdback is acceptable only when a compliant self-latching pool latch, such as a MagnaLatch, is fitted and doing that job — the keypad lock provides access control, never the barrier latching. No pool latch on the gate? Remove the holdback and have one fitted. A licensed pool safety inspector has the final word; our pool safety barrier gate guide sets out the full position.

Beyond those, it's worth taking holdback out on:

• Shared and strata gates — anyone inside can set holdback and walk away, leaving the gate open to everyone; our note on holdback on apartment and shared gates covers the risk.
• Childcare, schools and aged care — anywhere an unlatched gate means a child or resident could leave unnoticed. For childcare, outdoor areas must be fenced so young children can't get out, with the aim that they can't leave "unaccompanied or undetected" (Regulation 104 fencing guidance).
• Homes with dogs or toddlers — a gate on holdback won't latch, so a gust of wind or a nudge can swing it open.
• Rentals and workplaces — if you can't control who uses the snib and it's nobody's job to switch it off, it's likely to be left on sooner or later.

How to Remove the Holdback Function

Holdback is optional, and taking it out is a small bench job. Borg's manual puts it in the preparation steps, so it's easiest before the lock goes on the door. On a lock that's already fitted, the inside handle has to come off first.

The holdback snib blank

Removing the snib

Work over a tray: the spring and ball bearing are tiny and easy to lose. Keep them with the snib in a labelled bag rather than throwing them away.

Borg's instructions: page 3 of the Borg BL2000 Series instruction manual (PDF) covers operating and removing holdback.

Check your model first: these steps follow Borg's BL2000 Series manual for the inside handle shown. Other Borg locks carry holdback differently — on the rim-fixed slam latch gate lock, for example, it's the slam latch's own snib — so check your lock's instructions, or ask us, before taking anything apart.

Borg Locks With a Holdback Function

Holdback models and parts

Not every Borg lock has holdback — the 5000 Series, for example, uses a free passage function (code, then F) instead. To compare the rest, browse our full range of mechanical digital locks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is holdback the same as passage mode?

No. Passage mode lets the outside open without the code but leaves the latch working, so the door still latches when it closes. Holdback keeps the latch withdrawn, so the door or gate doesn't latch at all until holdback is released.

Can I use holdback on a pool gate?

Only when a compliant self-latching pool latch, such as a MagnaLatch, is fitted and doing the gate's self-latching. The keypad lock provides access control only and is never the barrier latch. A licensed pool safety inspector has the final word.

Can holdback be used on a fire door?

No. Fire doors are required to be self-closing and latching, so holdback must never be engaged on one.

Do I have to remove holdback if I won't use it?

No, it's optional. But if other people can reach the snib — on a shared gate, a rental or a workplace — removing it and fitting the holdback snib blank means nobody can leave the door or gate unlatched.

Related Guides

Not Sure Which Borg Lock You Need?

Tell us about your door or gate and how it's used, and we'll recommend a lock with — or without — holdback.