Information

Overhead Closers

What is an Overhead Closer?

Door closers are fitted to a door to aid closure. The unit is surface mounted to the top of the frame, with an arm attached to the door. These can be used on many lighter entrance doors or where the installation of a floor spring unit is not possible. Overhead door closers can be used to control the environment and temperature within the building i.e. to ensure the air conditioning is stable or to retain a fire. Typically an overhead door closercan only be used as single action.

Which Door Closer should I buy?

Listed below are the main factors that have to be taken into consideration when purchasing an overhead door closer:

Door weight and width
Traffic flow
Door location
Special requirements
Cost
Colour

Door Weight and Width

There are various door closures available. All manufacturers will have a maximum door width and weight for each of their products. This is usually determined by the different strengths of the models.

Traffic Flow

A door which gets a lot of use i.e. Main Entrance Door to a Restaurant, may require a more heavy duty closer than an internal office door.

Door Location

There are 3 main locations which will have specific needs.

Internal Doors - Need to be kept in a closed position e.g. toilet doors.
External Doors - Need to close for security or to prevent weather damage e.g. wind
Fire Doors - These can be internal or external and require the door to be kept in a closed position in the event of a fire. These doors can be fitted with a Dorma TS73 emf unit.

Special Requirements

Some locations have specific needs. You may need to choose a closure with a back check to buffer the door hitting the wall behind it. In an area of high moisture content an anti-corrosive product will be required, we suggest the Dorma TS 83 anti-corrosive unit for this location. Some locations require a closer with delayed action to be fitted i.e. an operating theatre. In certain circumstances it will be necessary for a door to have a hold open facility, this will require a special hold open arm be fitted (not suitable for fire doors).

Cost

The cost can vary enormously between strength of units and manufacturers. Adjustable closers are a good purchase as they give you the ability to alter the door strength when required, for example: during wintry weather conditions.

As a general rule as long as the above considerations are taken into account you should get a suitable product for your location.

Colour

Most door closers come in a standard silver finish, however various other colours or metal finishes are available at a supplement. This may involve purchasing the unit body only, with a separate coloured cover to fit over the body.

DDA Regulations

The Disability Discrimination Act regulations came into force in October 2004. You must ensure your doors cover the necessary requirements for your location when you fit any form of door closing equipment to your door.