Ask the Experts: Choosing the Right Electric Door Closer for Your Building

We spoke with Darragh O’Riordan from our Cork branch about what advice he would offer to electrical contractors, building professionals and owners when choosing the right electric door closer for their building.

Why is it important?

“Selecting the right electric door closer is crucial for the functionality of a building”, says Darragh. “Electric door closers automate the process of closing doors, offering convenience and protection. We have a long history in ironmongery & automation and our aim when working on any project is to guide the electrical contractor, architects or other building professionals in choosing the most suitable electric door closer for their building’s needs.”

So what are the main types of Electric Door Closer are where would I use them?

“We can break this down into 4 main categories”, advises Darragh.

1. Electromagnetic Hold Open Door Closers – These closers use an electromagnetic mechanism to hold the door open and release it to close when the power is cut off, typically during a fire alarm. Generally this is what we would recommend for the likes of hospital, school and commercial building corridors where fire safety is a priority. A notable advantage of electromagnetic door closers are that they enhance fire safety by ensuring that doors close during emergencies and that they are suitable for heavy doors.
2. Electromagnetic Free Swing Door Closers –The free swing electromagnetic closer allows the door to function as if there is no closer at all, making it ideal for nursing homes, hospital wards or bedrooms where user strength may be a concern because it will operate without any resistance when pulling or pushing the door and it will reliably close when the fire alarm is activated
3. Automatic Door Operators – Basically these are fully automatic systems that open and close doors using a motor, mostly activated by either sensors, push buttons or remote controls. We would primarily see these used in high-traffic areas like shopping centres, public buildings, airports and healthcare facilities. A real advantage of automatic door operators is that they facilitate the efficient and easy entry and exit of building users in high-traffic environments
4. Concealed Door Closers – These are installed within the door or frame, offering an aesthetically pleasing option without visible hardware. You would most commonly see these used in high-end residential buildings, boutique hotels, and modern office spaces and mental health facilities where there is a requirement for anti-ligature products. Concealed door closers have a distinct aesthetic appeal and architects with clean architectural lines. They are also tamper-resistant.

So what other factors do we need to consider when choosing an electric door closer?

When we are reviewing a project for a client there are a few different factors to consider such as

• What type of building is it? Who and what will it be used for? In residential buildings, aesthetics, ease of use and minimal maintenance are always important, making concealed door closers or low-energy automatic operators an ideal choice. If we take a commercial building, durability and reliability are key therefore electromagnetic or electro-hydraulic closers are recommended. In hospitals or nursing homes there may be a concern for patient or user strength and ability therefore a free-swing door closer would allow the door to function without resistance. In Public buildings, compliance with accessibility standards is paramount and you would expect to see automatic door operators with sensor activation in use.
• The door specifications – What size and weight are the doors? What material are they to be made from? For heavier or larger doors you’re going to need a more robust closing mechanism with higher power & holding capacity. Similarly, the material used will be a determining factor, ie. wood, metal or glass would have different requirements for optimal performance.
• The perceived usage or traffic frequency of the doors – If the doors are in a high traffic area and likely to be subjected to heavy or constant use then durable, heavy-duty closers with automatic operation are necessary. In low traffic areas, standard electromagnetic or electro-hydraulic closers are sufficient.
• The fire safety requirements of the door & building – Door closers have to comply with fire safety regulations, especially in buildings that are heavily reliant on fire containment in emergency situations, such as hospitals and schools for example.
• Accessibility – This is also a factor, buildings requiring accessibility for individuals with disabilities will require automatic door operators.

“Choosing the right electric door closer involves considering the specific needs and characteristics of the building, including traffic frequency, door specifications, fire safety requirements, and accessibility standards”, advises Darragh. “By carefully evaluating these factors, electrical contractors and architects can select the most appropriate door closer to enhance the functionality, safety, and aesthetics of their projects.”

For further consultation and detailed product specifications, feel free to reach out to our experts. Your building’s safety and accessibility are paramount, and we are here to assist you in making the best choice.

Visit our Trade Counters in Cork, Dublin & Belfast, contact us on [email protected] or visit www.thekccgroup.com