Door Controls

Are DORMA door closers compliant with Approved Document M ?

Are DORMA door closers compliant with BS8300 ?

Are DORMA door closers approved for use on fire doors?

Are DORMA door closers CE Marked?

Can DORMA door closers be supplied with a slide arm?

Can DORMA door closers be used with separate hold-open magnets?

Can DORMA provide replacement floorsprings where doors already have another manufacturer's shoes/straps fitted?

The door fails to close when the window is closed, but slams when it's open. Why is this?

The backcheck or delayed action does not work. Why is this?

The scissor arm moves vertically during the closing cycle. Why is this?

The RTS Transom Closer makes a clicking noise during operation. How can this be corrected?

How do I adjust the holding force on hold-open slide channels?

The floorspring/transom closer swings freely over the first few degrees and does not appear to be under any spring pressure; how do i stop this happening?

Are DORMA door closers compliant with Approved Document M ?

appraisal of results

BS8300 states “the opening force, when measured at the leading edge of the door, should be not more than 30 N from 0° (the door in the closed position) to 30° open, and not more than 22.5 N from 30° to 60° of the opening cycle.” DORMA have a range of door closers that meet these requirements. Please see our News/Press page, or contact DORMA for more information.

Are DORMA door closers compliant with BS8300 ?

appraisal of results

BS8300 states “the opening force, when measured at the leading edge of the door, should be not more than 30 N from 0° (the door in the closed position) to 30° open, and not more than 22.5 N from 30° to 60° of the opening cycle.” DORMA have a range of door closers that meet these requirements. Please see our News/Press page, or contact DORMA for more information.

Are DORMA door closers approved for use on fire doors?

appraisal of results

All DORMA closers are CERTIFIRE approved for use on timber and metal fire doors, surface fitted units are suitable for timber doors up to 120 minutes and metal doors for 240 minutes. Closers that require a degree of morticing on timber doors may have only 60 minutes approval, please see copies of the CERTIFIRE certificates on this web site for full details.

Are DORMA door closers CE Marked?

appraisal of results

All DORMA closers will be CE Marked as required by the Construction Products Directive from 1st October 2004.

Can DORMA door closers be supplied with a slide arm?

appraisal of results

DORMA offer specific door closers for use with slide arm, these are the cam action door closers (TS91, TS92, TS93, ITS96). Cam action door closers provide a rapid fall in the opening moment and ensure correct closing forces are applied to the door ensuring full and correct closure of the door. The use of slide arms with standard rack and pinion door closers result in a dramatic power loss and an ever increasing opening moment. It also results in failure to comply with BS EN1154 (BS EN1155 if they are hold open/free swing units), Approved Document M and BS8300.

Can DORMA door closers be used with separate hold-open magnets?

appraisal of results

Yes, however ensure that the magnets are compatible. Different makes of magnets have different holding forces and they may be insufficient for the closer to be used. To ensure the holding force is sufficient use DORMA EM100 or EM500 series magnets with DORMA closers. Always ensure that the magnet is fitted on the same plane as the closer to prevent distortion of the door.

Can DORMA provide replacement floorsprings where doors already have another manufacturer's shoes/straps fitted?

appraisal of results

Yes, DORMA offer a range of spindle inserts enabling the existing fittings to remain in place and use any of the DORMA range of floorspring mechanisms. Spindle inserts are also available in different heights to allow clearance of carpets etc.

The door fails to close when the window is closed, but slams when it's open. Why is this?

appraisal of results

This is caused by air pressure within the room. Firstly open the window and adjust the closing speed to the desired speed. Once this has been done, close the window and then increase the power of the closer, if the unit has adjustable power this is done by inserting the allen key into the adjuster and turning clockwise. After every two full turns allow the door to close, once the door closes correctly the adjustment is complete. If the unit is size selectable (TS71 or TS68) an increase in power can be achieved by rotating the power shoe which is located on the end of the frame arm.

The backcheck or delayed action does not work. Why is this?

appraisal of results

Firstly ensure that the door is capable of opening to 90 degrees and that the required function is correctly adjusted, both features engage from approximately 85 degrees of opening. The main reason for these features not functioning are when used with scissor arm door closers in parallel arm application; this is due to the arm not being pre-loaded by 45 degrees when used in this application. To check if the arm has been pre-loaded turn the latch valve clockwise until it stops, open the door to 90 degrees and allow to close. If the door stops at 45-50 degrees the arm has not been pre-loaded thus preventing correct operation of any backcheck, delayed action and latching action. To pre-load; part the arm, undo the arm bolt and remove the main arm, replace the main arm after having rotated it 45 degrees towards the door face (clockwise for clockwise closing door and vice versa). Tighten bolt and join arm together again, re-adjust latch valve to ensure full closure of the door.

The scissor arm moves vertically during the closing cycle. Why is this?

appraisal of results

The bolt connecting the arm to the closer pinion is loose or only ‘finger tight’. Use a spanner/socket to ensure the bolt is fully tightened. Vertical movement on the arm can lead to premature seal wear and poor performance.

The RTS Transom Closer makes a clicking noise during operation. How can this be corrected?

appraisal of results

This results from the arm block (top arm to closer spindle connection) being loose. Remove the cover plate located either on the top face of the door (side load) or on the top of the heel of the door (end load). Tighten the two allen bolts connecting the block to the arm, these need to be very tight and the use of a socket is recommended. If this fails to halt the noise check to ensure the arm and closer are both DORMA products, use of other manufacturers products with either the closer or the arm result in large tolerances causing noise and poor closing performance.

How do I adjust the holding force on hold-open slide channels?

appraisal of results

The hold-open force within a slide channel unit is adjustable. The EMF type units have a solenoid which has a brass wheel visible from beneath, this can be turned to either increase or decrease the holding force. The mechanical hold-open slide channels have an allen key insert within the screw that connects the arm to the nylon slide, this can be turned again to either increase or decrease the holding force.

The floorspring/transom closer swings freely over the first few degrees and does not appear to be under any spring pressure; how do i stop this happening?

appraisal of results

This can be caused by either the block being loose on a transom closer, the arm or strap being loose within the door, the use of an incompatible arm/strap with the closer mechanism or the closer mechanism being loose within the frame/floor.