Things to Consider in Installing Door Closers
Recent technologies make things easier and more secure like what door closers do. These technologies are commonly assembled on doors that are used as the buildings’ main entrances or exits. They are also used on interior doors such as service rooms, restrooms and other doors inside a building. Door closers also play an important role in maintaining the inside temperature of a room or a building. If you want your doors to be fitted with these door closers, check out some of the important aspects you have to consider. These include the size of the doors, their type (exterior or interior) and number of people using the door.
When doors are not heavily used, less powerful door closers are ideal. Less usage on a door means less impact on the device. Thus a less powerful door closer should be enough. One good thing about the less powerful door closer is that they can be used both on interior and on exterior doors. Small adjustments can convert a closer to fit doors with a size of 5 feet (interior) and 4 feet (exterior).
Doors with heavy traffic should be fitted with powerful door closers. This is to ensure optimum performance even during the busiest time. Before any installation is done, all devices should be check thoroughly if they match with the door sizes. Heavy-duty door closers can be used with 4" 1/5 and 3" 1/2 ‘ door sizes which are the normal interior and exterior door dimensions, respectively. Inquiries should also be made if the products passed the ANSI Standard A156.4 (grade one) test.
Special door closers should also be used on fire exit doors, thus it is advisable to use the heavy-duty types. Only heavy-duty closers should be used to be sure that the devices work perfectly especially during emergency situations. For better protection, a type with built in electric sensor can also be installed. This type allows the door to open when people need to get out of the building. Inquiries about the closers life safety code (NFPA 101) should also be done.
It is also essential to look into the needs of people with disabilities and elderly people when installing door closers. This is important to comply with ADA requirements. One way to do it is to fit auto-equalizer closers where access to the different parts of the building is made easy. It is even better if automatic doors are used which will surely give them more convenience. Lastly, only buy closers that complied with UL 325 and ANSI A156.19 requirements.
Door closers are designed with the use of different metals. Some are made designed with the use of brass, while others are designed with aluminium or bronze. You can also opt for the hidden types which are available both for heavy traffic and low traffic doors. If you want to get the best quality, you have to pay at least $2,000 but if budget is a problem, you can opt for the cheaper types at about $140.
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