Locksmith Fichet

Fichet: a century of French lock engineering in Brussels buildings

Fichet is a French manufacturer founded in 1825, now part of the Gunnebo group. Over the past decade, Fichet cylinders have accounted for roughly 30% of our armoured door interventions across Brussels. The reason is straightforward: between the 1980s and 2010, Fichet equipped the vast majority of armoured door blocks installed in Brussels apartments, particularly in Uccle, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, Ixelles, and Etterbeek.

Fortissime and Spheris: two generations of armoured doors

The Fortissime range, launched in the 1990s, is still widespread in Belgian housing stock. These doors use a multipoint locking mechanism with both pull and rotation actions, fitted with a patented 484 or 787 cylinder. The newer Spheris system introduced lateral locking points with rotating bolts, which significantly reduce mechanical wear and noise when locking.

In practice, we find that Fortissime doors over 15 years old often develop a recurring issue: the 484 cylinder, subjected to thousands of rotation cycles, develops internal play. The key then turns freely for half a rotation before engaging the bolts. This is not a fault with the door itself but a sign that the cylinder has reached end of life and needs replacing.

A2P certification and patented key system

Fichet was one of the first manufacturers to obtain A2P certification in France, a label issued by CNPP (Centre National de Prevention et de Protection). In Belgium, this certification has no legal standing, but insurers still recognise it as a quality benchmark. Ratings range from A2P* (5-minute break-in resistance) to A2P*** (15 minutes).

All Fichet keys are protected by a patent that prevents unauthorised duplication. Copying requires the ownership card provided at purchase. If you have lost this card, we can order a new key set from Fichet by providing proof of property ownership. Delivery typically takes 2 to 3 weeks.

Common issues and maintenance advice

• Seized 484 cylinder: Teflon-based lubrication (never WD-40, which clogs the pins) extends the cylinder life by 2 to 3 years. Beyond that, replacement is unavoidable.
• Bolts difficult to engage: often caused by door sagging. We adjust the hinges before touching the lock mechanism.
• Key broken in the cylinder: on Fichet models, extraction is tricky because the key is flat and thin. We use a specific bent-blade extractor for these.
• Upgrading to Spheris: for owners looking to modernise a Fortissime, replacing the lock block is possible without changing the entire door. The cost is roughly half that of a full replacement.

Fichet in co-ownership buildings: master key systems

In Brussels residential buildings, property managers regularly install Fichet master key systems: a general pass key opens common areas, while each co-owner has an individual key for their apartment. We handle these installations for buildings ranging from 8 to 120 units, and we manage additional key orders directly with Fichet, tracking every key number in the system.

If you own a Fichet door and notice abnormal operation, do not wait for it to lock you out completely. Preventive maintenance costs a fraction of an emergency opening.