Indicator Bolts

Keep your bathrooms and washrooms private, safe and easy to use with our range of quality indicator bolts. Whether you are fitting out a commercial amenities block in Brisbane, upgrading office bathrooms in New South Wales, or finishing a residential renovation anywhere in Queensland or Australia-wide, John Barnes Group makes it simple to buy indicator bolts online that match your architectural door hardware and stand up to everyday use.

What Are Indicator Bolts?

Indicator bolts are privacy door bolts that clearly show whether a room is occupied or vacant, usually with an easy-to-read red/green or engaged/vacant window on the outside of the door. They’re most commonly used on toilet doors, change rooms and other internal bathroom doors where you need simple, intuitive privacy without the complexity of a full lockset. Many models combine a smooth internal turn snib with a visible external indicator, and some include emergency release features for added safety in busy public amenities.

Perfect for Commercial and Public Amenities

If you manage facilities, indicator bolts are one of the smallest pieces of hardware that can make the biggest impact on user experience. Clear occupied/vacant indicators reduce accidental door rattling, help guests navigate your space confidently and support smooth traffic flow through high-use bathrooms. They’re ideal for:

• Shopping centres, stadiums and entertainment venues
• Schools, universities and medical centres
• Office towers and commercial tenancies
• Hospitality venues including cafes, bars and restaurants

By choosing modern, commercial-grade indicator bolts, you get reliable performance, consistent styling across your project and hardware that integrates with the broader architectural door hardware schedule from brands like Dormakaba and Lockwood.

Indicator Bolts for Residential Bathrooms and Ensuites

Indicator bolts aren’t just for public toilets. Many homeowners across Brisbane and wider Queensland now prefer an indicator-style bolt on internal bathroom doors, powder rooms and guest toilets for a premium, hotel-style feel. A compact indicator bolt paired with contemporary door levers from Barben or Zanda can be a stylish alternative to a standard privacy set, giving guests clear “engaged” feedback while keeping the operation simple and intuitive for all ages.

Because these bolts are designed for internal doors, you’ll typically find them in finishes that complement popular interior trends: matte black, satin stainless steel, brushed brass tones and soft satin chrome to work with modern, contemporary or classic bathroom schemes.

Finishes and Styles to Match Your Architectural Hardware

Our indicator bolt range helps you maintain a cohesive look across your project’s architectural door hardware. Depending on the specific products stocked, you can typically choose from:

• Matte black for a bold, modern statement in contemporary bathrooms
• Satin stainless steel for a clean commercial look and excellent durability
• Brass and warm metallics for traditional or heritage-inspired interiors
• Satin chrome or satin pearl for a soft, understated finish that suits most door colours

These finishes pair seamlessly with door levers, pulls, hinges and accessories from Barben, Dormakaba, Lockwood and Zanda, allowing you to specify indicator bolts that look intentional rather than an afterthought.

Accessible and Ambulant-Friendly Options

For accessible bathrooms and ambulant cubicles in commercial projects, indicator bolts can play a critical role in both compliance and usability. Selected models feature extended turn levers, ergonomic shapes and emergency release functions that support accessible design when installed correctly and in line with relevant Australian guidelines such as AS1428.1.:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

These accessible-style indicator bolts are ideal for hospitals, aged care facilities, childcare centres and any public amenities where inclusive design is essential. When combined with compliant grab rails, signage and clearances, they help create bathrooms that are safe, respectful and easy for everyone to operate.

Surface-Mounted, Recessed and Mortice Options

Every project is different, which is why indicator bolts come in a variety of configurations to suit your door type and partition system:

• Surface-mounted indicator bolts – quick to install on many toilet partition systems and timber doors, with visible or concealed fixings depending on the model.:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
• Recessed or mortice indicator bolts – designed for a sleeker, more integrated finish where the mechanism sits partially within the door.
• Hinged and sliding door options – including specialized indicator bolts and slide locks suitable for cavity sliders and partition sliders.:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Our team can help you choose suitable indicator bolts based on your partition type, door thickness and the level of durability required for your environment.

Materials Built for Australian Conditions

From busy CBD washrooms in Brisbane to coastal facilities in Queensland and New South Wales, indicator bolts need to handle moisture, cleaning chemicals and constant use. That’s why many premium models are manufactured from durable materials such as stainless steel, brass or high-quality zinc alloys, often with corrosion-resistant finishes designed for wet environments.:contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Stainless steel options are a smart choice for coastal or high-humidity locations, while plated zinc or brass models can be a cost-effective solution for lighter-duty, internal residential applications.

Choosing the Right Indicator Bolt

When you buy indicator bolts online with John Barnes Group, consider the following to find the best fit for your project:

• Application: light-duty residential vs heavy-duty commercial or public amenities
• Door type: hinged or sliding, standard door vs partition system
• Accessibility: whether you need accessible or ambulant-friendly indicator bolts
• Finish and style: matching your existing Barben, Dormakaba, Lockwood or Zanda hardware
• Emergency release: especially important in high-traffic public facilities

If you are scheduling a full door hardware package, our team can help you coordinate indicator bolts with locks, door closers, levers, pulls and other architectural door hardware for a consistent outcome across the whole project.

Easy, Non-Technical Installation and Maintenance

Most indicator bolts are designed for straightforward installation by a qualified tradesperson or experienced handyman, particularly surface-mounted models used on toilet partitions. Basic installation typically involves positioning the body on the inside of the door, fixing through with appropriate screws, and aligning the external indicator plate and strike. Routine maintenance is minimal – periodic checks to ensure the bolt throws smoothly, screws remain tight and the indicator window is clean and legible are usually sufficient for ongoing performance.:contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

For accessible and commercial applications, we recommend using professional installers who understand local building codes and can ensure correct heights, clearances and emergency release features are set up properly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an indicator bolt used for?

An indicator bolt is a simple privacy bolt that shows whether a room is occupied or vacant, usually via a red/green or engaged/vacant window on the outside of the door. It’s most commonly used on toilet cubicles, bathrooms and change rooms, providing privacy for the person inside and clear visual feedback for people waiting to use the room.

Are indicator bolts suitable for commercial bathrooms?

Yes, many indicator bolts are designed specifically for commercial and public amenities. Look for robust materials like stainless steel or quality zinc alloy, strong fixings and, where required, models that support accessible or ambulant bathroom designs. They’re widely used in shopping centres, offices, schools, hospitals and hospitality venues across Brisbane, Queensland, New South Wales and Australia-wide.

Do you offer accessible or AS1428.1-style indicator bolts?

We stock indicator bolts in styles suitable for accessible and ambulant bathrooms, including options with extended levers, emergency release features and clear external indicators. When installed in accordance with relevant Australian guidelines such as AS1428.1, these products can help support compliance in accessible facilities. Always check the specific product information and consult with your building professional for project-specific compliance advice.

What finishes can I get indicator bolts in?

Depending on current stock, you can typically choose from popular finishes such as matte black, satin stainless steel, satin chrome, satin pearl and select brass tones. These finishes coordinate well with contemporary door furniture from Barben, Dormakaba, Lockwood and Zanda so you can maintain a cohesive look throughout your project’s internal doors and bathrooms.

Can indicator bolts be used on sliding doors?

Yes, there are indicator bolt and slide-lock styles specifically designed for sliding doors and partition sliders. These usually feature a low-profile body and a slide action instead of a rotating turn snib. If you’re working with cavity sliders or sliding toilet partitions, choose a model that is clearly rated as suitable for sliding doors to ensure smooth operation and longevity.

Are indicator bolts easy to install?

Most surface-mounted indicator bolts are relatively straightforward for a qualified tradesperson or experienced installer to fit, particularly on standard toilet partitions and internal bathroom doors. Mortice or recessed models may require more detailed preparation. For commercial and accessible bathrooms, we recommend using professional installers to ensure correct positioning, clear signposting and proper emergency release functionality.

Do indicator bolts include an emergency release?

Many commercial and accessible-style indicator bolts include an emergency release feature on the outside of the door. This allows staff or authorised personnel to unlock the door in an emergency while still maintaining privacy in normal use. If this is important for your project, look for models that specifically mention emergency release capability in their product description.

Do you deliver indicator bolts outside Brisbane?

Yes, John Barnes Group services customers not only in Brisbane but across Queensland, New South Wales and Australia-wide. You can buy indicator bolts online through our store and have them delivered to your site, whether you’re managing a large commercial fit-out or simply upgrading a few residential bathrooms.

Why Choose John Barnes Group?

John Barnes Group is a trusted Australian supplier of architectural door hardware, with decades of experience supporting both trade and project customers. When you buy indicator bolts online from us, you get access to proven brands, practical product advice and reliable service from a team that understands commercial and residential requirements across Brisbane, Queensland, New South Wales and the rest of Australia. We focus on quality, consistency and long-term relationships, so you can specify, purchase and install with confidence.