Fire, Life Safety & Accessibility Codes - Von Duprin

De-Coding Door Closers
Many codes and standards contain requirements for door closers.
Accessibility, fire, and life-safety requirements all have an effect on
door closers, but if the product is selected and installed properly,
those requirements may not be difficult to meet.
Accessibility
In the 1980's when the hardware industry began to focus more on
standards for accessibility, many people assumed that door closers
on an accessible route were required to have the delayed action
feature. This feature holds the door open for up to a minute or two,
and although it may be convenient for certain locations, it is not a
code requirement. In fact, many closers can meet the accessibility
guidelines simply by proper adjustment.
Closing Speed: (see figure 5)
· ICC/ANSI A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities,
2003 Edition: "404.2.7.1 Door Closers. Door closers shall be
adjusted so that from an open position of 90 degrees, the time
required to move the door to a position of 12 degrees from the
latch is 5 seconds minimum."
· ADA Guidelines, 1994 Edition: “4.13.10* Door Closers. If a door
has a closer, then the sweep period of the closer shall be adjusted
so that from an open position of 70 degrees, the door will take at
least 3 seconds to move to a point 3 in (75 mm) from the latch,
measured to the leading edge of the door.” * (Appendix)
“A4.13.10 Door Closers. Closers with delayed action features give
a person more time to maneuver through doorways. They are
particularly useful on frequently used interior doors such as
entrances to toilet rooms.” (see figure 6)
· Proposed ADA Guidelines, Approved 2004: “404.2.8.1 Door
Closers. Door closers shall be adjusted so that from an open
position of 90 degrees, the time required to move the door to a
position of 12 degrees from the latch is 5 seconds minimum.”
CLOSING SPEED
figure 5
figure 6
SPRING POWER
Opening Force:
· ICC/ANSI A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities,
2003 Edition: “404.2.8 Door Opening Force. Fire doors shall have
a minimum opening force allowable by the appropriate
administrative authority. The required force for pushing or pulling
open a door other than fire doors shall be as follows:
1. Interior hinged doors: 5 lb (22.2 N) maximum, 2. Sliding or
folding doors 5 lb (22.2 N) maximum. These forces do not apply
to the force required to retract latch bolts or disengage other
devices that hold the door in a closed position.”
(exterior doors not mentioned)
· ADA Guidelines, 1994 Edition: “4.13.11* Door Opening Force.
The maximum force for pushing or pulling open a door shall be
as follows: (1) Fire doors shall have the minimum opening force
allowable by the appropriate administrative authority. (2) Other
doors. (a) exterior hinged doors: (Reserved). (b) interior hinged
doors: 5 lbf (22.2N) (c) sliding or folding doors: 5 lbf (22.2N).
These forces do not apply to the force required to retract latch
bolts or disengage other devices that may hold the door in a
closed position.” (Appendix) “A4.13.11 Door Opening Force.
Although most people with disabilities can exert at least 5 lbf
(22.2N), both pushing and pulling from a stationary position,
a few people with severe disabilities cannot exert 3 lbf (13.13N).
Although some people cannot manage the allowable forces in this
guideline and many others have difficulty, door closers must have
certain minimum closing forces to close doors satisfactorily.
Forces for pushing or pulling doors open are measured with a
push-pull scale under the following conditions:
1.Hinged doors: Force applied perpendicular to the door at the
door opener or 30 in (760 mm) from the hinged side,
whichever is farther from the hinge.
2.Sliding or folding doors: Force applied parallel to the door at
the door pull or latch.
3.Application of force: Apply force gradually so that the applied
force does not exceed the resistance of the door. In high-rise
buildings, air-pressure differentials may require a modification of
this specification in order to meet the functional intent.”
· ADA Guidelines, Approved 2004: “404.2.9 Door Opening Force.
Fire doors shall have a minimum opening force allowable by the
appropriate administrative authority. The required force for pushing
or pulling open a door other than fire doors shall be as follows:
1. Interior hinged doors: 5 lb (22.2 N) maximum, 2. Sliding or
folding doors 5 lb (22.2 N) maximum. These forces do not apply
to the force required to retract latch bolts or disengage other
devices that hold the door in a closed position.˝
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