Publish Time: 2025-09-19 Origin: Site
Door closers are integral components of contemporary buildings, ensuring that doors close automatically and securely. They play a pivotal role in fire safety, energy efficiency, and accessibility. For fire-rated doors, door closers are not just optional; they are mandatory to ensure that the door closes and latches correctly during emergencies.
Certified products, such as CE EN1154 (500,000 cycles test )/EN1634 fire-rated(120mins/180mins) / EN1670 (corrosion resistance 240 hours) door closers in Europe and UL Listed(UL 10C fire rated 3 hours) door closers in the United States, offer an additional layer of reliability. CE certification ensures compliance with European Union standards for performance, safety, and durability, while UL certification guarantees that the product meets rigorous fire safety and quality testing standards under U.S. regulations. These certifications make the closers dependable, trusted, and compliant with international building codes.
However, even the highest-quality certified door closers require proper installation and adjustment to function correctly. If a closer is improperly adjusted, the door may slam shut, fail to latch, or close too slowly—issues that undermine both convenience and safety. Therefore, understanding how to adjust a door closer is crucial for building owners, facility managers, and installers.
Most door closers feature several adjustment screws located on the closer body, usually marked or described in the user manual. The primary adjustments include:
* Closing Speed Screw: Controls how fast the door moves from fully open to about 10–15 degrees before closing.
* Latching Speed Screw: Controls how quickly the door moves during the final few degrees, ensuring it latches securely.
* Backcheck Screw: Slows the door’s opening swing, preventing damage if someone pushes it too forcefully.
* Delayed Action Screw (if equipped): Allows the door to remain open for a short period before starting to close, useful in hospitals or facilities requiring accessibility.
It’s important to use the correct screwdriver (usually a flathead or Phillips) and avoid over-tightening, which could damage the closer.
* Turn the screw clockwise to slow the closing speed.
*Turn it counter clockwise to increase the closing speed.
A door that closes too quickly may slam and cause noise or injury, while one that closes too slowly may not latch properly. The goal is a smooth, controlled swing that feels natural and safe.
*The latching speed affects the last few inches before the door closes completely.
*Clockwise adjustment slows the latch movement.
*Counterclockwise adjustment speeds it up.
This setting is critical for fire doors, as they must latch fully to maintain their fire-resistance rating. If the latch speed is too slow, the door may not close securely. If it’s too fast, the latch may strike the frame too harshly.
*Backcheck protects the door, closer, and wall from damage if someone throws the door open.
*Turn the screw clockwise to increase resistance, preventing the door from opening too forcefully.
*Turn it counterclockwise to reduce resistance.
In high-traffic areas such as schools, hospitals, or offices, backcheck adjustment is particularly important to prevent door damage.
If your closer has this feature, it allows the door to pause briefly before beginning to close. This is useful in environments that require accessibility, such as facilities for people with disabilities. Adjust by turning the screw until the desired delay is achieved.
*Make small changes: A quarter-turn of the screw can significantly alter the door’s behavior. Test the door after each adjustment.
*Maintain balance: Adjust closing and latching speeds in harmony. If one is too fast or too slow compared to the other, the door may not function properly.
*Check the environment: Wind, air pressure, and building ventilation can affect door closing performance. Adjustments may need to be fine-tuned to account for these factors.
*Test multiple times: Open and close the door several times to ensure consistent performance.
o Likely cause: Closing speed set too fast.
o Solution: Turn the closing speed screw clockwise to slow it down.
o Likely cause: Latching speed too slow or door misaligned.
o Solution: Increase latching speed slightly or check alignment.
o Likely cause: Backcheck set too strong.
o Solution: Reduce backcheck resistance by turning counterclockwise.
o Likely cause: Delayed action set too high.
o Solution: Adjust delayed action screw to reduce delay time.
Even after proper adjustment, door closers require periodic maintenance to ensure long-term reliability. Inspect them regularly for oil leaks, loose screws, or unusual sounds. Fire-rated door closers, in particular, must be kept in top condition to maintain compliance with fire safety standards.
Routine checks and adjustments extend the life of the closer, reduce repair costs, and ensure compliance with building safety codes.
Adjusting a door closer is not complicated but requires attention to detail and patience. Certified products such as CE EN1154/EN1634 fire-rated closers and UL Listed closers provide assurance of safety and performance, but their true effectiveness depends on correct adjustment and maintenance. By properly setting closing speed, latching speed, backcheck, and delayed action, you ensure smooth operation, extend the hardware’s lifespan, and maintain the safety integrity of fire-rated doors.
In every type of building—whether residential, commercial, or institutional—well-adjusted door closers are an invisible but vital safeguard for safety, comfort, and compliance.
Contact: David Jian
Mob: 0086-139 2903 7292
Email: David@dndhardware.com, sales@dndhardware.com
Jobby Zhang
Mob: 0086-137 2599 9617
Email: jobby@dndhardware.com