Door closers.
A door closer is a universal mechanism that provides smooth and quiet closing of doors, has become a familiar attribute of a modern comfortable home and office. The closer can be installed on both light interior doors and external doors, heavy doors (including special-purpose ones). It closes them carefully and reliably, saving heat in winter and coolness in summer.
The operation of the simplest closer (hydromechanical) is based on a spring placed in a metal case filled with special oil. To ensure smooth running and slow closing of the door, the closer uses the principle of hydraulic damping: it converts the moment of force mechanically applied to open the door into the moment of closing.
The Russian market of door mechanisms offers a wide range of designs and models of door closers of Russian and foreign manufacture. It is often quite difficult to understand all the variety of door closers. To make the right choice, it is important to pay attention to the following features.
Weight and width of the door leaf
The main parameter of the closer is the door closing force or the power of the closer. Therefore, when choosing a closer model, it is necessary to take into account the weight of the door and the width of the door leaf.
The heavier the door and the wider the door leaf, the more powerful the closer should be. Sometimes, in order to increase the force, two closers are installed. The forces that the closer must develop when closing the door are standardized in the European standard EN 1154. This standard defines 7 classes of closers (from EN1 to EN7). In this case, the door closer of class 1 (EN1) is designed for light and narrow doors, and the closer of class 7 (EN7) is for wide and heavy ones. For ordinary external and internal doors, as a rule, closers of classes 3-5 are used.
We recommend choosing a door closer that complies with this standard, i.e. has a CE mark. In addition, EN1154 significantly simplifies the choice of a door closer: usually, the model line includes door closers of all classes: specially designed for interior light profile doors and devices for heavy large doors.
Adjustments
As a rule, door closers have adjustments for two main parameters:
1) closing force (see above);
2) closing speed.
More important mechanisms are more difficult to adjust.
In addition to the closing speed, the latching force can also be adjusted. Adjusting the latching force allows you to fine-tune the closer's operation so that the speed increases at the last 7°–15°, and the lock clicks.
To protect the wall, door frame and the closer itself from damage during sudden door openings, for example, during gusts of wind, it is also important to adjust the opening speed. Models with an opening brake function are recommended for use on external doors of buildings.
Some mechanisms also have a useful function of fixing the open position and an elastic limiter of the maximum opening angle.
For example, a system in which all adjustments are made independently of each other is very convenient (separate valves are built in, responsible for various adjustments (patented valve system)). Thanks to this, the closers can simultaneously support, for example, safe closing and braking modes of the door leaf when opening. Upon additional order, the closer can be equipped with a closing retarder and an opening brake, as well as an open position lock, which is very convenient.
Type of traction device
Depending on the door profile, installation conditions and model, the door closer can be equipped with different types of traction devices: a standard device, a sliding traction device or a traction device with an open position lock.
A classic door closer (with a standard rod) is attached to the door leaf, and the rod is attached to the frame. Some closers can be installed on both the door frame and the door leaf at the discretion of the designer or customer.
Closers with a sliding rod are more elegant.
It is noteworthy that there is a door closer model that can be equipped with any rod device — standard or sliding.
Fastening
Depending on the mounting location, there are upper and lower (floor) closers. Floor closers are mounted in the floor, and simultaneously serve as support hinges; they are ideal for swing doors. Their installation should be taken into account at the design stage. Floor closers can withstand the greatest door weight (up to 300 kg). Closers can also be hidden.
Range of operating temperatures
When choosing a closer, it is necessary to consider the conditions under which it will operate and the temperature difference it is designed for. Currently, there are heat-stable options on sale with a temperature range from –35° to +70°C or frost-resistant products designed for cold temperatures down to –45°C.
Special-purpose doors
Fire and smoke-proof doors must be equipped with a door closer, supplemented with special electro-hydraulic or electromagnetic elements. These closers must have certificates of compliance with fire safety requirements.
Service life and protection against improper use (vandalism)
Door closers must be, first of all, reliable and vandal-proof devices. The reliability and service life of a door closer are determined by the minimum number of door opening/closing cycles that the closer must work without deterioration of parameters, regardless of operating conditions. According to the EN1154 standard, door closers must work at least 500,000 cycles. The service life also depends on the quality and quantity of oil in the mechanism. Door closers for outdoor doors must be equipped with a safety valve that protects against vandalism. In addition, the closer body must be made of impact-resistant material. The body and main parts of the devices are usually made of materials that are not subject to corrosion, for example, the body is made of silumin (an aluminum-based alloy with the addition of silicon), and the internal parts are made of high-quality steel.
Design
When choosing a door closer, the design of the device is certainly taken into account. Manufacturers usually offer decorative covers for door closers in various colors — white, dark brown, silver, bronze, etc. At the customer's request, some companies additionally offer painting in any shade from the RAL catalog, which makes it possible to make the closers completely invisible in the interior.
Type of traction device
Depending on the door profile, installation conditions and model, the door closer can be equipped with different types of traction devices: a standard device, a sliding traction device or a traction device with an open position lock.
A classic door closer (with a standard rod) is attached to the door leaf, and the rod is attached to the frame. Some closers can be installed on both the door frame and the door leaf at the discretion of the designer or customer.
Closers with a sliding rod are more elegant.
It is noteworthy that there is a door closer model that can be equipped with any rod device — standard or sliding.
Fastening
Depending on the mounting location, there are upper and lower (floor) closers. Floor closers are mounted in the floor, and simultaneously serve as support hinges, ideal for pendulum doors. Their installation should be taken into account already at the design stage. Floor closers can withstand the greatest door weight (up to 300 kg). Closers can also be hidden.
Range of operating temperatures
When choosing a door closer, it is necessary to consider the conditions under which it will operate and the temperature difference it is designed for. Currently, there are heat-stable options on sale with a temperature range from -35° to +70°C or frost-resistant products designed for cold temperatures down to -45°C.
Special-purpose doors
Fire-resistant and smoke-insulated doors must be equipped with a door closer supplemented with special electro-hydraulic or electromagnetic elements. At the same time, these closers must have certificates of compliance with fire safety standards.
Service life and protection against improper use (vandalism)
Door closers must be, first of all, reliable and vandal-proof devices. The reliability and service life of a door closer are determined by the minimum number of door opening/closing cycles that the closer must work without deterioration of parameters, regardless of operating conditions. According to the EN1154 standard, door closers must work at least 500,000 cycles. The service life also depends on the quality and quantity of oil in the mechanism. Door closers for outdoor doors must be equipped with a safety valve that protects against vandalism. In addition, the closer body must be made of impact-resistant material. The body and main parts of the devices are usually made of materials that are not subject to corrosion, for example, the body is made of silumin (an aluminum-based alloy with the addition of silicon), and the internal parts are made of high-quality steel.
Design
When choosing a door closer, the design of the device is certainly taken into account. Manufacturers usually offer decorative covers for door closers in various colors — white, dark brown, silver, bronze, and so on. At the customer's request, some companies additionally offer painting in any shade from the RAL catalog, which makes it possible to make the closers completely invisible in the interior.
Door closer DC335 (ABLOY™)
Suitable for external and internal doors.
Maximum door weight – 100 kg and door leaf width – 1250 mm when installed with standard traction. CE-certified. Adjustable closing force class EN35 with standard traction in accordance with EN1154. Has separate adjustable valves for closing speed and final closing speed. Opening brake (BC) – standard function. Closing brake (DC) – on request.
Operating temperature range from -35°C to +45°C. Adjustable starting point of the final closing speed angle and opening brake using a grooved spindle.
Easy adjustment of the thrust height (14 mm). Two pressure safety valves to protect against incorrect actions. Aluminum-silicon alloy body.
Budget closers 60.450 (CISA Ingersoll Rand)
These closers are inexpensive but have a long life cycle (mean time between failures is at least 100,000 cycles). They are also universal (4 types of force in one closer — the force is adjusted due to different settings of the traction arm). They have separate adjustment of the locking and slamming speed. The confirmed service life of the mechanism is 500,000 cycles. The closers remain fully functional at temperatures down to -15° C. The closers of this series are silent, can be used for wooden and steel doors weighing up to 60 kg. They help control heat loss.
The body material is a durable aluminum alloy. The closer has a steel lever, mirror polishing of the inner surface of the working cylinder. Replacement of the hydraulic fluid is not required throughout the entire service life.
TS Profile (Dorma) – a simple and universal door closer. This model has a wide range of forces (EN 2/3/4/5). This allows the TS Profile closer to be used on various types of doors (including fire doors) up to 1250 mm wide and weighing up to 150 kg. Easy and quick to install without using a mounting plate. The closer force is easily adjusted by changing the position on the door or turning the lever tab, without drilling additional holes. The speed is adjusted independently in two ranges. TS Profile has a useful hydraulic opening braking function (back check). The opening braking function prevents excessively abrupt opening, caused, for example, by a gust of wind. This protects both the door itself and the wall behind it from damage. There is also a slam function. Works at temperatures down to -35.
GEZE TS 2000
GEZE TS-2000 has a closing force of EN 2-5. The maximum door leaf width is 1250 mm. The closer weighs 2.1 kg. The operating temperature range is from +40°C to -30°C. Optional functions include door locking and sliding rod (sliding rod). Lever rod (scissors). Smooth speed control. Smooth adjustment of the closing force is carried out by rearranging the closer body. Opening braking. The manufacturer provides a 1-year warranty.
E-603D (OUBAO) mechanical closers
Designed for doors weighing up to 75 kg. Have the function of fixing the open position of the doors. Adapted for the Russian climate, which confirms the active official presence of the brand on the domestic market for more than five years. Two-speed door closers have separate adjustments for closing and closing speeds, are universal in installation for both left and right doors.
Guaranteed resource for OUBAO closers — 500 thousand cycles. OUBAO door closers protect door structures, controlling the opening and closing of the door. Reliable operation over a wide temperature range provides energy savings and increased reliability.