PROUD SPONSORS
OF THIS PAGE
36 • DOOR CLOSERS & HINGES
Door Closers
A door closer is a generic term used
to describe a mechanical device that will,
in most cases, close a door automatically
after the door has been used. There are various
types of door closers, some are surface mounted and
some are concealed within the door and frame itself.
» » THE UNITS ARE USED IN A
variety of situations and for a
variety of reasons. Primarily
to close the door after use.
However, they can also be used
to ensure safety. For example,
when used on a door to stop
the spread of fire and smoke
throughout the building.
Closers come in a variety
of models some are designed
to be used manually, whilst
others are designed to be
automatic in operation. With
the advent of the Disability
and Discrimination Act (DDA),
along with the relevant fire
standards all door closers need
to be certified to approved
European Standards and
carry the relevant CE mark
by an independent testing
authority.
Some door closers embody
functions such as “hold open”
features, along with “back
check”, which allow doors
to remain open if required
throughout the day. Other
door closers have adjustable
spring strengths to allow one
closer to be used in
different situations,
depending on
the height, width
and weight of the
door in question.
Surface door
closers, as
the name
would
suggest, are mounted both
doors, with surface closers
to the door frame and door
used on the remaining
itself. These models are also
substrates, in both
supplied with a variety of
commercial and domestic
different arm configurations
installations.
and drop plates to suit actual
The major difference with
site conditions. A number of
a transom concealed closer
different finishes are available
as opposed to the more
to ensure the aesthetically
conventional surface closer
pleasing appearance of the
is the requirement to ensure
door and the closer unit.
that the transom unit has the
Concealed door closers on
correct prep detail, for both
the other hand are hidden
door and frame in the first
from view, by being mounted
instance and that the selection
within the transom of the
of both the power requirement
frame and the door header
and spindle length is correct.
itself. As these models are
The requirement for
not seen then there are no
the correct strength is of
surface finishes available.
paramount important.
However as with surface
Initially the door weight
closers, there are various
and size needs to be taken
spring strengths available,
into consideration, when
along with options of spindle
selecting either light,
length to suit the various
medium or heavy duty
door profiles available.
models. But consideration
Both types of door closers
also needs to be given to
can be used on timber, steel,
the use of the door. For
aluminium, and composite
example, bearing in mind
doors, but as a general rule of
location and use is there
thumb, concealed transom
a requirement for a closer
closers tend to be used on
with a DDA specification?
commercial aluminium
There are specific guidelines
for transom closers of this
nature, which one can find
on most manufacturers
websites.
Another
specific issue
with both surface
and concealed
closers is the
DOOR CLOSERS & HINGES | MAY/JUN 2017
Sponsored by UNION
requirement for the closer to
be correctly adjusted once the
initial installation has taken
place. Too often closers are
installed and then simply left
to function over a number of
years, when in reality regular
maintenance and adjustment
is required as doors bed in and
external conditions change,
such as higher traffic usage.
After all we all purchase
cars and by law have to have
them periodically checked
to ensure safety. The number
of times manufacturers get
called back to site, with the
comments “it’s the closer, it’s
not working correctly”, when
if regular checks were carried
out at least twice a year, these
problems would disappear.
The benefits of door closers
are plain to see, automatic
closing of doors, ensuring
both safety and convenience,
correctly specified door
closers independently tested
to the necessary European
standards and CE marking
allow piece of mind.
The majority of buildings
in the UK benefit from the
installation of door closers,
from commercial buildings
through to domestic
dwellings. Providing installers
are competent in the use
and installation of door
closers, coupled with a good
knowledge of the relevant
standards which govern
installation and use, they
are an excellent product to
promote and sell.