Door Closers are typically found surface mounted to the top of the door frame or attached to the door itself. It is a rectangular shaped designed and can come in a variety of models and finishes. One of the most sought after questions is "How to adjust a door closer?"
Well we are here to help shed some light on this subject. But before we do, you will need to understand the basic mechanics of a door closer and how it works. Essentially all door closers are made from a similar design which consists of a rack and pinion and a high tensile spring. The spring inside the door closer is what allows the door to gently close at a slow speed. The rack and pinion construction is what compresses the spring. Typically there is a needle bearing at the base of the door closer housing, which is where the door arm pivots. As a pedestrian opens the door, the door arm rotates on the needle bearing moving the rack and pinon gear. As the rack and pinion gear moves it compresses the high tensile spring. After the pedestrian passes through the door way, the door slows closes as the high tensile spring decompresses.
Every door closer is typically filled with hydraulic fluid. All door closers have hydraulic valves. These typically look like brass screws at the bottom of the door closer housing. Standard door closers have 2 valves at the bottom of the door closer housing.
Latch Speed Control Adjustment:
One valve is for latch speed control. The latch is the last few inches right before the door is in the fully closed position. This speed adjustment is a great idea in any commercial building, as you will typically want to keep the latch speed control set very low. Why you might asked? With pedestrians or children trying to open the door, having a slow latch speed will help insure nobody's fingers get caught or smashed in the door.
Closing Speed Control Adjustment:
The other valve is the closing speed valve. This adjustment will either speed up or slow down the closing speed of the door. Both of these adjustments are crucial. Please refer to the diagram below which refers to the design of a typical door closer.
Delayed Action Control Adjustment:
Some door closers feature an extra valve. This valve is optional and is known as the delayed action valve. The function of this valve, is simply that once the door is pushed open, it will remain open for a delay, before it begins closing. This is a great option for door ways that have a lot of foot traffic.
Backcheck Control Adjustment:
Another feature that some door closers have is back check. Back check refers to the last few inches before the door is in the full open position. The back check adjustment slows down the door closer in the last few inches before the full open position. This feature can save building owners huge amounts of money, as it will help preserve the health of the door closer. One of the most common ways to damage a door closer is if high gusts of wind catch the door and rip it open, or if a pedestrian pushes the door closers as hard as they can past the full open position. With a backcheck feature the door closer will automatically reduce the force on the tensile spring and reduce the potential for damage.
Do's and Don'ts of Adjusting Door Closers:
Tip #1: Refer To Original Manufacturer's Installation Instructions
If you are ever confused on how much to adjust the door closer, we always recommend adjusting the door closer to your local state and building codes. Typically all adjustment recommendations can be found in your door closer installation manual provided from the manufacturer.
Tip #2: Turn Door Closer Valves 1/4 Turn At A Time
One essential and crucial tip we have is to slowly adjust the door closer valves a 1/4 turn at a time. Remember, a door closer is a hydraulic device filled with hydraulic fluid. If you unscrew the valve too far, it will leak all of the hydraulic fluid. Once the hydraulic fluid is released, the door closer is no longer good and it will not properly function. If you have an old door closer that is leaking, it will need to be replaced with a new one. Here are the door closers we recommend:
Tip #3 Ask The Experts
Of course if you have any questions email custsvc@autodoorandhardware.com or visit our website https://www.autodoorandhardware.com/Door-Closers-and-Parts-s/243.htm , as a leading door hardware supplier our on staff experts can help you. If you need to purchase door closers or parts they can be purchased at the links below.
Recommended Door Closers:
Below is a door closer product that we recommend. As a door hardware company we have tried all of the door closers and found the product below to be one of the best in terms of reliability and performance.
LCN 4040XP Door Closer
https://www.autodoorandhardware.com/Lcn-4040Xp-Rw-Pa-Alum-Grade-1-Cast-Iron-Door-Clo-p/4040xp-rw-pa-alum.htm
Well we are here to help shed some light on this subject. But before we do, you will need to understand the basic mechanics of a door closer and how it works. Essentially all door closers are made from a similar design which consists of a rack and pinion and a high tensile spring. The spring inside the door closer is what allows the door to gently close at a slow speed. The rack and pinion construction is what compresses the spring. Typically there is a needle bearing at the base of the door closer housing, which is where the door arm pivots. As a pedestrian opens the door, the door arm rotates on the needle bearing moving the rack and pinon gear. As the rack and pinion gear moves it compresses the high tensile spring. After the pedestrian passes through the door way, the door slows closes as the high tensile spring decompresses.
Every door closer is typically filled with hydraulic fluid. All door closers have hydraulic valves. These typically look like brass screws at the bottom of the door closer housing. Standard door closers have 2 valves at the bottom of the door closer housing.
Latch Speed Control Adjustment:
One valve is for latch speed control. The latch is the last few inches right before the door is in the fully closed position. This speed adjustment is a great idea in any commercial building, as you will typically want to keep the latch speed control set very low. Why you might asked? With pedestrians or children trying to open the door, having a slow latch speed will help insure nobody's fingers get caught or smashed in the door.
Closing Speed Control Adjustment:
The other valve is the closing speed valve. This adjustment will either speed up or slow down the closing speed of the door. Both of these adjustments are crucial. Please refer to the diagram below which refers to the design of a typical door closer.
Delayed Action Control Adjustment:
Some door closers feature an extra valve. This valve is optional and is known as the delayed action valve. The function of this valve, is simply that once the door is pushed open, it will remain open for a delay, before it begins closing. This is a great option for door ways that have a lot of foot traffic.
Backcheck Control Adjustment:
Another feature that some door closers have is back check. Back check refers to the last few inches before the door is in the full open position. The back check adjustment slows down the door closer in the last few inches before the full open position. This feature can save building owners huge amounts of money, as it will help preserve the health of the door closer. One of the most common ways to damage a door closer is if high gusts of wind catch the door and rip it open, or if a pedestrian pushes the door closers as hard as they can past the full open position. With a backcheck feature the door closer will automatically reduce the force on the tensile spring and reduce the potential for damage.
Do's and Don'ts of Adjusting Door Closers:
Tip #1: Refer To Original Manufacturer's Installation Instructions
If you are ever confused on how much to adjust the door closer, we always recommend adjusting the door closer to your local state and building codes. Typically all adjustment recommendations can be found in your door closer installation manual provided from the manufacturer.
Tip #2: Turn Door Closer Valves 1/4 Turn At A Time
One essential and crucial tip we have is to slowly adjust the door closer valves a 1/4 turn at a time. Remember, a door closer is a hydraulic device filled with hydraulic fluid. If you unscrew the valve too far, it will leak all of the hydraulic fluid. Once the hydraulic fluid is released, the door closer is no longer good and it will not properly function. If you have an old door closer that is leaking, it will need to be replaced with a new one. Here are the door closers we recommend:
Tip #3 Ask The Experts
Of course if you have any questions email custsvc@autodoorandhardware.com or visit our website https://www.autodoorandhardware.com/Door-Closers-and-Parts-s/243.htm , as a leading door hardware supplier our on staff experts can help you. If you need to purchase door closers or parts they can be purchased at the links below.
Recommended Door Closers:
Below is a door closer product that we recommend. As a door hardware company we have tried all of the door closers and found the product below to be one of the best in terms of reliability and performance.
LCN 4040XP Door Closer
https://www.autodoorandhardware.com/Lcn-4040Xp-Rw-Pa-Alum-Grade-1-Cast-Iron-Door-Clo-p/4040xp-rw-pa-alum.htm
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