Choosing a Manual Commercial Door Closer

Door closers are an important feature in commercial/office buildings. Manual door closers are used to shut exterior doors automatically without the use of electricity. They are installed for two major reasons. First, door closers, are a security feature because they ensure that doors close whether human force is applied or not. Second, they help ensure that fire cannot spread from one part of a building to another or from one building to another during a fire emergency. A secondary reason to install door closers is to keep indoor air inside and outdoor air and weather outside.

Contractors recommend that door closers be installed on every exterior door on a building. They are especially important on fire exit doors and/or doors which are typically only opened from the inside (i.e. doors with crash bars.) In fact, many cities and regions require that they be installed on commercial doors.

Door closers are often installed on interior doors as well. As with exterior doors, they ensure an extra barrier of protection against the spread of fire. They may also be installed on doors as a way to limit the transfer of noise from one part of a building to another or one room to another, should someone forget to close a door behind him.

Manual commercial door closers are manufactured in two major styles: overhead mounted and jamb mounted (concealed.) Both function slightly differently but produce the same end result. Overhead mounted manual commercial door closers are attached to the frame of the door and to the door itself. It takes the energy exerted by the force of the opening of the door and stores it briefly. It then releases that energy to close the door. Hydraulic dampers or springs inside the mechanism prevent the door from slamming shut and controls the speed at which the door closes. This speed and control can be adjusted depending on how the damper or spring is manufactured.

Jamb mounted or concealed door closers work on the same basic principle as the overhead variety. However, as the name implies, jamb mounted door closers are hidden from view. They are mounted between the door and the inner part of the doorframe and are completely invisible when the door is closed. Speed and control can also be adjusted on many models depending on function or preference.

Since both types of manual commercial door closers work the same, choosing one style over the other is usually a matter of preference. When aesthetics are a factor, concealed door closers are less obtrusive than the overhead mounted type. However, concealed door closers can sometimes cost a little more (though this isn't a hard and fast rule.) Generally speaking, if aesthetic appearance isn't an issue, overhead commercial door closers are usually sufficient, especially when it comes to fire doors or doors which the public does not typically have access to.

Sometimes though, especially when it comes to interior doors in commercial buildings in which aesthetic appearance is especially important (i.e. heritage buildings), concealed door closers won't mar the façade. Many manufacturers, such as LCN, produce manual commercial door closers in different finishes in both types. This makes it easier to find one that fits appropriately with the décor of the building.

Jenny Schweyer is a freelance writer from the Pacific Northwest.

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