A door closer is an machine that ensure that a door returns to it’s closed position. A door closer is used for doors that need to be kept open during certain meetings or when left open during the night. The correct size of a door closer must be chose because the size of the door closer will determine whether the door closes smooth or if it creates annoyance for the individuals that must open the door.
The size of the door closer will impact the force that an individual must use to open the door, the time that it take for the door to close, and if the door will meet the required code for the area. There are size determinations for door closers as indicated by the ANSI grade system. Size 1 door closers is for the lightest doors and Size 6 door closers are for the heaviest and widest industrial doors.
How to choose the right door closer
This chart can be used to determine the weight of the door that will be used with that closer. The ANSI chart can be used to prevent an individual from guessing as to whether or not the chosen door closer is of enough strength to handle the door that it will be used on. The weight of the door is one of the main determining factor in the strength of the door closer that is used.
Hollow core doors are of low weight whereas solid wood, metal, and glass doors are of high weight. The heavier the door, the more heavy the door closer that must be used. Another of the factor to consider is the traffic that the door will receive.
A door that is used more often will require a closer of more power than one that is used less often. Therefore, a door that is in a hallway will require a higher grade of door closer than one that is in a room with less foot traffic. There are a variety of mounting style for door closers.
The most common types are those that mount to the face of the door or the frame of the door. These are the easiest to install. Concealed door closers are mounted into the door or header of the door.
These are more involved to install. Finally, floor spring door closers mount to the floor beneath the threshold of the doorway and are used for glass door without a frame. The various commercial door closers have adjustment valve.
These valves allow for the individual to adjust the closing speed of the door closer and the latching speed of the door. Finally, there are valve to adjust the backcheck resistance of the door closer. The backcheck of the closer will prevent the individual from having to quickly open the door and potentially hitting the wall.
However, adjustment valves cannot be used to increase the power of a door closer. Accessibility standard, such as the ADA, place limitation on the function of the door closer. For instance, the amount of force that an individual uses to open the door is limited, as is the time that it takes for the door to close.
Many of these limitation can be achieved by using door closers with a lower spring tension. Any door in a public space must use a door closer that meet ADA standards. Fire doors must use fire-rated door closers.
The door closer must be tested for fire rating. For instance, electromagnetic hold-open closers cannot be used on fire doors. If they are used, they must release automatically when an alarm is sounding in the area.
There are a variety of common mistake with the purchase and installation of door closers. For instance, one of the most common is to purchase a door closer based off the existing screw hole for the closer. Other common mistakes include purchasing a door closer based upon the fact that the door closer is on sale.
Additionally, some individuals feel that a heavier door closer is always the best choice for any door. However, if the door closer is too heavy for the doors, it can be difficult for the individual to open the door. To avoid these mistakes, the ANSI grade chart can be used to determine the appropriate door closer for the door in relation to its weight, width, traffic volume, and any required code.
You should of checked the weight first. It would of helped alot to recieve the chart early.
