DOOR CLOSERS & CONTROLS
Power Size VS Closing Force: Understanding Door Closer Power Ratings
» JOIN LOUISE FROST FROM DOOR Control Direct as she clarifies door closer power size, closing speed, and latching action, and how they impact controlled, effective closing.
Door closers, whether overhead, floor mounted, or concealed, are essential for controlled closing, security, and passive fire safety in commercial and industrial premises.
Selecting the correct model with the right power size and adjustments for your facility or project is crucial. They affect functionality, security, safety, compliance, and accessibility.
So, let’ s go through each of these three terms, what they mean, and how they impact decision making when buying, adjusting, and maintaining door closers.
What Is Door Closer Power Size?
Power size determines the force applied to the door being closed, and the effort required to open it. This strength or torque does not directly control the closing speed.
Door closers can have either adjustable or fixed power sizes. The adjustment may be a screw on the closer body itself or by its positioning on the door( template adjustable).
These are the common door weights and leaf widths comparable to the power size of a closer, but always check manufacturerspecific details before choosing the right model for your application:
If the power size is too high for the door it can make doors harder to open, causing accessibility issues and excessive wear on hinges and other ironmongery.
Real-world applications:
• Power Size EN 1-3: Common for internal doors with a lower leaf weight.
• Power Size EN 4-7: Needed for heavier doors, tall doors, wide doors, or doors subject to wind resistance.
• Fire Door Closers: A closer set to a minimum power size EN 3 is required. This could also be a fixed EN 3 door closer.
The Relationship Between Power Size and Closing Speed
Increasing the power size does not make the door close faster; instead, it increases the force needed to open it. The closing speed is independently adjustable via hydraulic valves. It is not determined by the closer power size.
• Closing speed controls how quickly the door moves after it begins to close. This is often from fully open( c. 180 °) to 15 ° in the closing cycle.
• Adjusting the closing speed does not compensate for an incorrect power size. Choose the right power size of closer using charts like the above.
• For doors requiring a longer closing cycle, consider delayed action function rather than relying on the standard closing speed adjustment.
Latching Action – Why It Matters
Latching speed is the final part of the door’ s closing cycle, ensuring the door fully engages with the frame. It typically covers the closing angle from 15 ° to 0 °.
Power Size Max. Door Width Max Door Weight
EN 1 750mm 20kg EN 2 850mm 40kg EN 3 * 950mm 60kg EN 4 1100mm 80kg EN 5 1250mm 100kg EN 6 1400mm 120kg EN 7 1600mm 160kg
* Power size EN 3 is the minimum requirement for a door closer fitted to a fire control door.
• Too fast a latching speed can result in doors slamming.
• Slowing down the closing speed too much can prevent proper latching, affecting fire door compliance. A fire door that doesn’ t latch could fail in an emergency.
• Adjustable latching action ensures reliable closing, securing doors after each use – key on access control doors.
After every use, a door should latch fully into the frame against any seals or latch fitted, air pressure, or any other resistance the door encounters.
Factor regular visual and functional checks into your door maintenance routine to ensure your closers are doing their job. Door closers require regular adjustment to compensate for seasonal environmental conditions local to each door so adjust as necessary when any issues arise.
The Final Adjustment
Identifying the correct power size, closing speed, and latching action isn’ t straightforward. You must always consider fire safety, accessibility, and user experience when selecting, fitting, and maintaining door closers. Pair this with the door weight, width, height, fire rating, location, and usage and there are more than a few factors to consider.
Adjustable door closers offer flexibility for future needs as well as the specific conditions at the time of installation. Having a variable power size, such as EN 2-5, allows great flexibility within one model of closer. But those final on-site adjustments to closing and latching speed make a big difference too.
Reach out to dependable, knowledgeable partners for guidance and support with problem solving compliant door hardware solutions. Different door closers have differing positions of adjustment valves, but all can deliver effective, reliable closing when you know where to look and what to tweak. It’ s all about those final adjustments.
www. doorcontrolsdirect. co. uk
MARCH 2025
43 locksmithjournal. co. uk