What Is A Commercial Door Closer?
A commercial door closer is a mechanical device that uses the compression force of an internal spring and hydraulics to automatically close the door after it has been opened. Commercial door closers are different than standard non-commercial door closing devices, since they are designed with a heavy cast body and durable steel arm to help absorb abuse and impact commonly found on commercial entrance doors. A synthetic hydraulic fluid mixture lubricates the internal gears in the commercial door closer and regulates the closing speed of the door.
Commercial Door Closer Applications
Commercial door closers are designed for installation on commercial doors and frames. Listed below are commercial door types that these door closers can be installed on.
Commercial Door Closers On Commercial Glass Doors
Storefront doors or commercial glass doors are used as entrance doors for nearly every business. A commercial door closer for a commercial glass door is used to automatically close the front doors of a retail store each time a person has used the door. This helps conserve the building's energy while also providing safety to employees or customers inside of the store.
Below is a list of storefront door manufacturers that we can supply replacement and compatible commercial door closers for:![]()
Commercial Door Closers On Hollow Metal Security Doors
All commercial buildings have an emergency exit door, or rear door. This type of commercial door is generally fire rated and designed to allow egress out of the building. A commercial door closer is installed on hollow metal security doors to keep the door closed after a person has exited the building. By keeping the door closed it helps prevent unauthorized persons from gaining access to the inside of the building, while also helping to prevent the spread of fire.
Below is a list of commercial steel door manufacturers that we can supply replacement and compatible commercial door closers for:![]()
Commercial Door Closers On Solid Core Wood Doors
Commercial wood doors are used as interior doors for the majority of commercial buildings. A commercial door closer is commonly used on interior office doors or commercial restroom doors, to help maintain privacy and safety. By automatically closing the door behind a person once he or she has used the door, it will give privacy to anyone in the room.
Below is a list of commercial wood door manufacturers that we can supply replacement and compatible commercial door closers for:![]()
Commercial Door Closer Requirements
Unlike standard non-commercial door closers, where the market remains unregulated, commercial door closers are a highly regulated device. Various laws, codes, and other compliance standards must be met when using a commercial door closer. As a result commercial door closers feature additional adjustments than standard door closers including an adjustable closing speed and adjustable spring tension.
ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) Requirements For Commercial Door Closers
ADA or the Americans With Disabilities Act, is a law that governs to prevent discrimination against pedestrians with disabilities. Per ADA requirements (Section 404.2.9), a commercial interior door should not exceed more than 5 pounds of opening force. This requires the use of a commercial door closer with an adjustable spring in order to meet the opening force requirements. Also required is that the commercial door closer should close for atleast 5 seconds from the 90 degree full open position to the 12 degree open position.
NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) Requirements For Commercial Door Closers
The National Fire Protection Association provides safety codes and requirements for commercial doors to help prevent the spread of fire. One such requirement is that any fire door must have a commercial door closer to automatically close and latch the fire door after it has been opened. Having a commercial door that is sealed and closed, helps prevent the spread of fire and smoke.
Commercial Door Closers Features
Adjustable Speeds
Commercial door closers will feature adjustable closing speed and latch speed in order to meet compliance with ADA. Commercial doors vary in size and weight. A true commercial door closer will feature an adjustable main closing speed, allowing the installer to increase or decrease the speed of the door closing from the 90 degree full open position to 12 degrees open. An adjustable latch speed will allow the installer to adjust the closing speed of the door from approximately 12 degrees open to the fully closed position.
Adjustable Spring Tension
Commercial doors not only vary in size but also material. For example, a commercial steel door will weigh much more than an aluminum entrance storefront door. As a result a commercial door closer features an adjustable closing spring ranging from size 1 for very light weighing doors all the way up to size 6 for heavy weight doors. Whereas a standard non-commercial door closer will not have an adjustable spring.
Synthetic Hydraulic Fluid
All commercial door closers contain an advance flowing synthetic hydraulic fluid, which flows inside of the door closer. The synthetic hydraulic fluid helps lubricate the internal gears and spring within the commercial door closer, as well as provide speed regulation for the door closer in any type of weather. Whereas as a standard non-commercial door closer will be pneumatic.
Heat Treated Pinion Gear
Commercial door closers are comprise of a pinion gear that rotates on the rack gear assembly as the door opens or closes. Standard non-commercial door closers will feature a very thin pinion gear. Commercial door closers use a much thicker pinion gear that is also heat treated, making it more durable and heavy duty. This allows commercial door closers to take more abuse out in the field in comparison to a non-commercial door closer.
Forged Steel Arms
All commercial door closers feature a forged steel arm. The commercial door closer arm is what connects the commercial door to the commercial door closer body. The commercial door closer arm is extremely strong, since the arm is what absorbs the initial force or impact of a pedestrian using the door. Non-commercial door closers will feature a thin aluminum arm, making it unable to absorb heavy abuse.
ANSI Grade 1 or 2
All commercial door closers are graded by the Americans National Standards Institute, or ANSI, to help building owners and installers identify the safety and durability of the commercial door closer. A grade 1 commercial door closer is tested for up to 2 million door cycles, while a grade 1 commercial door closer is tested for up to 3 million door closers. Non-commercial door closers will be rated for grade 3 by ANSI, or may not be tested at all.
Commercial Mounting Hardware
Commercial door closers will include commercial grade mounting hardware. If the door is fire rated, the commercial door will need to be attached with sex nuts and bolts. Self tapping and self reaming screws are included for commercial metal door installation. Heavy duty wood screws are included for commercial door closer installation on commercial solid core wood doors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Difference Between Commercial Door Closers and Regular Door Closers?
It goes without saying that a commercial door is much different than a residential door. For instance, imagine a commercial front entrance door to a shopping mall. Each day a mall door will be used well over 2,000 times. During weekends, the mall door can be used 4 times more. Now compare that to the front door of your home. The front entry door to your home may be used 30 times a day. The difference in door operation and usage is significant. This is why commercial door closers are necessary. A commercial door closer is more durable and heavy duty than a regular or residential door closer device. Commercial door closers are designed to operate under high abuse and high traffic applications like healthcare facilities, shopping centers, office buildings, schools, and other institutions.
How Do I Choose A Commercial Door Closer?
Although commercial door closers may seem very complex, they are actually quite easy to replace or purchase. The easiest solution is to purchase a commercial door closer with an adjustable spring size and closing/latching speed. As long as the spring can be adjusted, that commercial door closer can be fitted to any commercial door size or type.
How Do You Stop A Commercial Door From Slamming?
If your commercial door is slamming closed, then the latching speed must be reduced on the commercial door closer. If the latching speed adjustment appears to not change the speed from the 12 degree open position to the fully closed position, the commercial door closer may be broken due to failed o-ring seals causing hydraulic fluid to leak out of the door closer body. In this case, the best solution is to replace the commercial door closer with a new one.
What Is The Strongest Commercial Door Closer?
In general, the strongest commercial doors are typically the models that feature a plastic cover. These commercial door closer models are generally much larger in size than non-covered commercial door closers. The body is cast iron and features a larger closing spring and internal gears. The strongest door closers will feature a spring size that can be adjusted to 1 to 6. When adjusted to spring tension size 6, the commercial door closer will be the strongest and able to pull closed the largest and heaviest commercial doors.
Is a Hydraulic Door Closer Better Than Pneumatic?
A commercial door closer is always hydraulic. Any commercial door should have a hydraulic commercial door closer installed on it. Pneumatic door closers are a type of residential door closer, commonly used on storm doors, screen doors, or hollow core wood doors in a home.
Do Commercial Door Closers Wear Out?
Commercial door closers are cycle tested by ANSI. As a result, when installed correctly a commercial door closer should last a life time. If your door closer on your door is worn out, leaking hydraulic fluid, or has a broken arm, chances are that door closer is not a commercial grade ANSI door closer. The best solution is to replace it with a true commercial door closer.
