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Questions To Ask When Choosing A New Door Closer System

For decision makers responsible for maintaining estates, there are a range of key questions that need to be asked when specifying a new door closer system for a site. These include ensuring certification standards are met, the needs of everyone using the facility are satisfied, and how the flexibility of a system can help future-proof a site going forward. Here, David Hindle, Head of Door Closer Sales at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK & Ireland, discusses these considerations in more detail.

Checking Certification

The first key question to ask when choosing a new door closer system is, ‘Does the system meet the required certification standards?’ One particular British Standard that facilities managers should be aware of is BS 8300-2:2018, which sets out how buildings should be designed, constructed and maintained to create an accessible environment for all. BS 8300 was first introduced in 2009 and was last updated in 2018. The standard is consistently updated to take account of important legislation, such as the Equality Act 2010 and Approved Document M.

The overall aim of BS 8300 is to ensure everyone can use an environment. However, previous versions of the standard have focused more on the provision of accessibility solutions, specifically for people with a disability. In contrast, the latest update focuses on making sure the whole environment is more universally accessible, rather than simply adding on separate facilities for those with a disability. In short, a building should be accessible to all, without restriction or the need for assistance.

As BS 8300 seeks to address universal requirements for entering, using and exiting a building easily and independently, its scope covers all building features. As a result, it is critical that facilities managers select door closer solutions that are suitable for those with impairments and disabilities to help promote easy access for all. This is why it’s critical to seek a knowledgeable and experienced security, safety and access control provider that can advise on the most relevant parts of the standard and how BS 8300 affects guidance for building interiors.

For instance, BS 8300 advises on the maximum opening force for internal doors. It recommends a maximum opening force of 30N for the first 30 degrees of initial movement, and that this force must not exceed 22.5N from 30 to 60 degrees. It also covers how best to balance opening and closing forces when specifying a BS 8300-compliant door opening solution on fire rated doorsets.

Door closers also need to provide assured protection against fire and smoke, and fire safety legislation is an ever-increasing and complex part of any building’s design. It should go without saying that ensuring relevant fire safety certification is in place for a door closer system is essential too. Fire doors must be self-closing and, therefore, require a CE marked and tested door closer to be fitted and maintained.

It is always worth checking that a door closer supplier has the right accreditation in place, so specifiers can be confident that products will meet the necessary standards. Relevant ones include Warringtonfire’s FIRAS Installer Certification Scheme, BM TRADA’s Q-Mark Fire Door Installation and the Guild of Architectural Ironmongery’s Diploma. Furthermore, it is essential that suppliers have a comprehensive understanding of the legislation covering fire safety matters in and around buildings, such as Approved Document B, BS EN 1634 and BS 476.

It is also worth noting that, at the end of 2017, a number of UKAS accredited authorities withdrew certification for almost all door closers used on uninsulated metal fire doors. While a number of these certifications have since been reinstated, they typically only cover the use of door closers on the side of the fire door that is deemed most at risk. In many instances, it can be difficult to determine which side of the fire door this is.

Therefore, it is important to partner with a provider that has undertaken the relevant testing to ensure their door closers meet the certification requirements for uninsulated metal fire doors, whether these are fitted on the exposed (fire) or unexposed (fire safe) side of the door. This way, facilities managers can be confident that there are no caveats or risks when it comes to using the supplied door closers with uninsulated metal fire doors. Ultimately, it should be clear and easy to understand whether a door closer compromises fire safety regulations or not.

Proven Performance

The second key question to ask when choosing a new door closer system is, ‘Will the system meet the needs of those using the facility?’ Today’s door closer systems offer many features that it’s worth exploring to make life easier for those using a facility. A closed door can change the ambience of a building, and even act as a hazard for those using it, which is why features such as hold-open door closers are so in demand nowadays. For the elderly, more vulnerable users and those with a disability, hold-open door closers enable doors to be held open so that these individuals can move about more easily.

Another important door closer functionality is free-swing, which can also be installed as a means of easing access. These are also ideally suited to environments that experience high volumes of traffic, such as offices, universities, hotels and commercial spaces.

Free-swing, like hold-open, can help to increase the fire safety of a building. These are typically installed at the top of a fire door, allowing the door to swing freely with little forced required to open it. However, the door closer will automatically close on a fire door should a fire alarm sound, meaning the door then acts as a barrier to stop a fire from spreading throughout a building.

It is also worth considering the benefits of soft-motion closing. This functionality closes doors in a progressive and controlled manner, following their release from hold-open or free-swing modes. This helps minimise the risk of injury for users, while also limiting damage to the doorset. Soft-motion closing can help deliver a longer-lasting solution, extending the lifespan of the doorset, while also lowering whole lifecycle costs.

Flexible Features

Last but by no means least, the final key question that facilities managers should be asking is, ‘How can a door closer’s flexible features help ensure the longevity of a system?’ Many electro-mechanical door closers are difficult and time-consuming to change between hold-open and free-swing modes, typically requiring additional parts to do this. Their fixed power set-up – generally EN 4 – means that for larger door leaf sizes, these can be very difficult for less able users to open.

Some of the latest door closers available on the market provide the flexibility to change between hold-open and free swing onsite modes, and can be switched from one to the other in a matter of seconds. They also offer variable power sizes of between EN 3 to 6 to allow the closing strength to be tailored to the door width and retain the lowest possible opening force, regardless of door size. As a result, door closers offering this flexibility are ideal for elderly people or those with a disability, who might be experiencing movement difficulties or strength issues.

As the holding power and manual release force of the door closer must be correct for the size of door that the mechanisms are fitted to, it is recommended that facilities managers approach an experienced and knowledgeable door closer partner that can advise and assist with this.

Naturally, there are a whole host of other questions that need to be answered when selecting a new door closer system for a site, such as whether the door closer is for an internal or external door, inward or outward opening, what the size of the door is, the volume of traffic using it, the required closing force and how the door closer will be mounted. However, by keeping critical factors such as certification, performance and flexibility front of mind, facilities managers can be sure to select a door closer system that will meet the needs of those using the site every single day, without fail.

For more information, please contact David Hindle at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 07766 679100. To find out more about ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK & Ireland and its range of door closer solutions, please visit www.assaabloyopeningsolutions.co.uk/doorclosers.