DOORCLOSERS&HINGES • 49
categorically for what the product has
been tested and remove any doubt.
For use on fire doors, a door control
should have a closing force of at least EN
3, for doors up to 950mm wide, EN 4 for
doors up to 1100mm wide, EN 5 up to
1250mm and EN 6 for up to 1400mm in
width.
Always check the EN label on the closer
itself. It has six-digit code which states its
capability for category of use/test cycles/
tested door size/fire suitability/safety/
corrosion resistance.
The Equality Act 2010 lays down
regulations to ensure equal access for
all. Under this piece of legislation, a door
should be able to be opened with very
little effort – a maximum of 30Nm for the
first 30 degrees of the opening cycle and
then 22.5Nm for the second 30 degrees.
These forces are for the whole door set and
not just the door closer, and only the most
mechanically efficient units can achieve
this. The GEZE family of door controls
have a minimum 70% efficiency, some at
more than 80% efficiency are classed as
‘ultra-high efficiency’.
In order to measure door opening forces
effectively, a force gauge should be used
as illustrated in BS 8300.
External doors, especially those that
open outwards, are especially challenging
when it comes to meeting opening
forces, as the door can be compromised
by environmental conditions including
wind.
To make an external door safe for users,
a more powerful control may be needed.
For example, the GEZE TS 5000 ECline is
perfect for this application, as it is power
adjustable 2-5 (EN) and has an integrated
spring assister to help with opening the
door.
Whereas, internal doors can use
a traditional V arm closer, such as a
GEZE TS 2000 NV, with a super-efficient
mechanism to allow very low opening
forces, for doors up to 1100mm wide.
The fitting of the door is all important
and must be checked. A binding hinge, a
leaf that is tight in frame, poorly installed
lock or latch strikes and air pressure
differentials are just a few items that can
all have a dramatic effect on the closing
cycle of the door and if any defect isn’t
corrected, the door control may not
operate effectively.
Care must also be taken to ensure
door controls are fitted in strict
accordance with the manufacturers’
installation guidelines. Straying from
the recommended instructions can
result in the product not being covered
by guarantee, and also it may fail to
conform to the fire test or performance
data which would also compromise
the door sets ability to perform as
intended.
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In conclusion, it must be said that there
are lots of door closer suppliers, a range of
‘brands’ - some familiar and others less so,
but there are fewer actual manufacturers.
An established brand manufacturer
such as GEZE has control of innovation
and design, manufacturing processes,
quality and testing - so is more adept at
overcoming difficult and challenging
scenarios.
This is what makes us a trusted partner in
defining solutions - information and advice
from experts who know their products and
can recommend with confidence. At GEZE
UK, this is a door which is always open.
www.geze.co.uk