Does Your Office Door Need a Closer?

A door that swings freely might seem harmless until it slams shut in a hallway, lets drafts sneak in, or leaves your office vulnerable during an emergency. A door closer is more than just a spring-loaded gadget, but works to ensure your doors close properly every time.

Installing the right door closer can transform a simple doorway into a shield against fire hazards and energy loss. The right closer can protect your employees, visitors, and property while enhancing convenience and efficiency. So are door closers necessary, and if so, how? Let’s explore how they benefit your office.

A door closer is a mechanical device that automatically closes a door after it has been opened. They help the doors open more easily and ensure they won’t create a barrier. While it may seem minor, the benefits go beyond convenience:

• Ensures doors close securely to prevent unauthorized access.

• Helps maintain climate control and reduce energy costs.

• Reduces wear and tear on hinges and frames from slamming.

• Promotes fire safety by ensuring fire-rated doors remain closed.

Door closers are available in a variety of styles, including surface-mounted, concealed, and floor-spring types, allowing flexibility for different office layouts.

The ADA sets standards to make buildings accessible for people with disabilities. This legislation established reforms requiring organizations to accommodate individuals with disabilities. It is so detailed that it includes specific guidelines for ensuring safe and practical access throughout office spaces. While there are some exceptions depending on a business’s size or operations, most offices and commercial premises are expected to comply with these accessibility standards.

Doors, in particular, present unique challenges for accessibility. Commercial steel doors can be heavy and difficult for some individuals to operate safely. To address this, the ADA sets specific standards for how doors should operate so that everyone, including individuals with disabilities, can enter and exit safely. Key requirements include:

• Interior doors should require no more than 5 pounds of force to open.

• Exterior doors typically allow a maximum opening force of 8.5 to 10 pounds.

• Doors must not close faster than five seconds from fully open to nearly closed.

• The swing distance is measured from 90 degrees open to 12 degrees from the latch.

• While latching speed isn’t strictly specified, doors should latch securely without slamming, ensuring safety and usability.

Many commercial steel doors are designed to be highly fire-resistant, but their effectiveness depends on being closed. When doors are left ajar or unlatched, drafts created by a fire can quickly push them open, allowing flames and smoke to spread unchecked. This is why door closers are a fundamental component of any office’s fire safety strategy. Door closers significantly enhance the fire safety of your office. They are one of the most affordable and effective ways to prevent fire damage and protect lives.

Door closers provide for security because the doors will latch fully after use, preventing unauthorized entry. Also, automatically closed doors reduce drafts, lowering heating and cooling costs. You can even keep office noise contained by using a door closer to let the doors close quietly.

Although you might not be legally obligated to get door closers, they will be a useful tool for ensuring a safer and more accessible office space. Build a quote with CDF Distributors by selecting from a wide range of high-quality door closers.