Panic Hardware and door closers - Click here for a gallery of Panic Hardware and door closers
A door closer is a mechanical device that closes a door, after someone opens it.
Overhead door closers, such as those from Briton, Dorma, Yale, Asec, and Union can be concealed or surface mounted, whereas reveal fitted closers, such as Perko or Powermatic, fit between the door and the door frame and are totally concealed when the door is closed.
To limit the speed at which the door closes, common door closers use hydraulic (oil-filled) dampers, although spring mechanisms may also be used. The speed at which the door closer closes the door may be adjusted. You can adjust the sweep speed and the latch speed of the door. The latch speed is the speed that the door travels in the last third to 10 degrees as it closes and is often set fast so that the door can properly latch closed. The sweep speed is the speed which the door travels at along the first two thirds of its travel and is often set slower than the latch speed.
Door closers are most commonly used on fire doors, which need to be closed in the event of fire to help prevent spreading of the fire and smoke.
Also to ensure the door is securely closed behind them once someone has entered the building. Choosing a door closer can involve the consideration of a variety of criteria. In addition to the closer's performance in fire situations, other criteria may include resistance to opening forces (for use by disabled or infirm) safety, durability, and aesthetics.
