Door closers are probably not something we spend a long time thinking about. In fact, throughout most of our day, it seems that we just expect doors to close all on their own. That might be because the idea of a self-closing door dates back to ancient times. But what exactly is a door closer, how do door closers work, and when are they required?
This article will help you navigate how to install door closers and adjust them, while taking a deeper look at just how door closers came to be in the first place.
What is a Door Closer?
A door closer is a device that ensures a door, once opened, closes by itself. If that seems like a pretty obvious idea to you, it was an obvious idea to the ancient Greeks too. Hero of Alexandria, a mathematician and engineer, is noted for inventing possibly one of the first automated doors. It worked as an engine that borrowed air from an alter-fire-heated chamber to displace water from a sealed vessel. The water was then collected to create a weight that would pull on a rope, opening the door to the temple. When the fire was extinguished, the door would close.
It took some time to make door closers the convenient and quiet devices they are today. It wasn’t until 1873 that the first patent for a door closer was filed in the U.S. Patent Office by Francis Richards. His door closer operated with a spring-loaded tube and screw that worked as a closing speed valve.
How Do Automatic Door Closers Work?
After 1873, other forms of door closers were devised, some using external torsion and others even using liquid. By 1964, the New York Times had run an article titled, “DOOR CLOSERS; Slamming Prevented By Air or Fluid.” It referenced air-based closers as pneumatic closers and fluid-based ones as hydraulic closers.
Air-Based Door Closers
These door closers usually have a cylindrical shape with a piston on the inside. When the door opens, the piston is pulled back and forced to expel the air within the cylinder slowly, before the door can fully shut again. An adjustable screw allows you to control how quickly the air is expelled, causing the door to shut quicker or slower.
Fluid-Based Door Closers
Fluid-based door closers use hydraulic fluid or lightweight oil to control the close of the door. These models tend to have stronger springs that can handle more weight and offer a more smooth close due to increased control.
Pot Belly Door Closers
These are newer models that operate with an adjustable clock coil spring to provide smaller incremental increases or decreases that can meet exact power requirements. As their name suggests, they are more pot-shaped than cylindrical.
When Are Door Closers Required?
Today, door closers have become so prevalent that they are actually required in some situations. According to the Society of Professional Locksmiths, fire doors now require a door closer because they must be self-latching. Apartments and hotels also typically have similar requirements. In addition, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) lays out specific guidelines for the requirements of door closers to ensure that entryways meet certain needs.
How to Install Door Closers
There are no universal door closers, although many work in similar ways. Because of this, it’s important to follow the instructions your door closer came with. If you can’t locate them, many of these manuals are also available online by searching the brand and model number. Below are some general guidelines to help you prepare for the job. Improper installation could cause property damage and personal injury.
1. Collect your tools
Necessary tools will likely include a tape measure, punch, pencil, screwdriver, adjustable wrench, and drill.
2. Select position
Carefully determine where you plan to mount the closer. Make sure there is enough space for the arm to fit against the opposite wall when the door is closed. Mark the holes you plan to drill with a pencil
3. Mount closer
With holes marked, use a drill to create holes for your screws. Reposition the closer and screw it in.
4. Attach arms
Install separate arms, then attach both arms and the preloaded spring. Tighten the attached screw.
5. Adjust dial screw
This is only necessary if you’re trying to have the door hold open. Adjust the dial screw to your desired holding position.
How to Adjust Automatic Door Closers
Adjusting door closers is far simpler than installing them. Adjustments usually require an Allen wrench or screwdriver. Clockwise adjustments typically reduce the speed of the closer, while counterclockwise adjustments will increase how rapidly a door closes. Remember to follow this guide to make proper adjustments that comply with the ADA for accessibility.
Common Closer Symbols
| “S” - Swing Speed | Adjusts the long swing of the door. |
| “L” - Latch Speed | Adjusts the short, final swing of the door. |
| “BC” - Back Check | Limits maximum swing of the door. |
Door closers serve an important role for fire safety and accessibility standards. But they are also convenient and more energy efficient. By installing automatic door closers, you increase the safety of your space and make it a more welcoming environment for everyone.
Product Compliance and Suitability
The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand and follow all manufacturer instructions.