Fire door closers are an essential addition to your workplace that allows you to comply with fire safety legislation. But with so many different types of door closers available, how do you know which one is right for your business, school, or home?
In this article, we will discuss the different kinds of fire door closers and key features that must be taken into consideration so you can make the correct choice.
A door closer is a hydraulic device that automatically closes a door after it has been opened. They are commonly installed as a fire prevention measure on fire doors, and to help prevent draughts from entering rooms.
There are some considerations that you will need to bear in mind before purchasing a fire-door closer. We have listed them below so you can make an informed decision about which type is best for your application and environment.
Is the door an internal or an external one, and does it open inwards or out? These questions are important because for inward and outward opening doors, some closers can be model specific and angle brackets may be required.
It is also important to note that external doors are not fire doors, so you would not need an electromagnetic door closer for them.
You should check the width and height of the frame and door to ensure that there is enough space to install a door closer.
Of course, heavier doors will require a closer with a larger power size for optimal performance. If your door has a very narrow frame, you may need to consider a concealed door closer to get it to fit.
Think about the location of the door and the volume of traffic to ensure the best door closer is selected for the job. As door closers are hydraulically powered, you may also require extra power to overcome air pressure in a small room.
Most door closers fit into one of these three categories:
It goes without saying that the larger and heavier the door, the more force will be required by the closer. The table below outlines the basic force required for certain door weights and widths.
| Power size | Max door weight | Max door width |
| 1 | 20kg | 750mm |
| 2 | 40kg | 850mm |
| 3 | 60kg | 950mm |
| 4 | 80kg | 1100mm |
| 5 | 100kg | 1250mm |
| 6 | 120kg | 1400mm |
Many door closers come with the option of adjustable strengths to fit the size/weight of various door types. This gives you peace of mind as you don’t have to search for a door closer that fits the exact measurements and weight of your door.
To comply with the law, all fire doors must have a closer with a minimum power size EN3 to conform to EN1154 standard.
Self-Closing: this type of fire door closer works by making sure that every time the door is pushed open, it will return to the closed position immediately with the closer arm. This means the doors are continuously kept in the closed position except when someone is walking through the door.
Automatic Closing: these door closers usually hold a door in an open position, but close it when the automatic-closing device is activated. They can be prompted to close a door by a fusible link or detector (such as a smoke or fire alarm).
Powered Closing: this is the most advanced type and automatically disconnects the power operator at the time of the fire to allow a self-closing or automatic device to close the door regardless of power failure or manual operation. They are usually integrated within the fire alarm system of a building and close the doors in the event that the fire alarm is set off.
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