Beyond Compliance: The Benefits of Choosing the Right Door Closer

Often chosen primarily for compliance, a properly specified Door Closer can also deliver everyday benefits to building users and facilities managers. ASSA ABLOY Cam-MotionÒ Door Closers, for example, enable ergonomic opening for everyone who passes through them. Cam-Motion technology mirrors the human elbow, where torque reduces sharply as the arm extends. This translates to much easier opening, even for heavy doors, and greater all-round comfort^*. They also offer optional closing delay, which allows extra time for the user to pass through. A Cam-Motion Door Closer removes hidden barriers to comfortable building access, including at high-traffic doors where engineering quality and durability are a must.

ASSA ABLOY’s Free-Motion range takes comfort a step further: the door opens naturally and resistance-free – and can stay open at any angle. Unlike other free-swing closers, ASSA ABLOY Free-Motion technology gets to work from the very first degree of door opening. When a user or building manager activates Free-Motion technology, automatic closing is disabled. Doors may be left open, allowing staff and visitors to circulate with ease. Free-Motion closers give those in care environments, for example, a genuine sense of personal freedom. The door opens weightlessly right up to its widest angle, even for heavy fire/smoke doors or double doors. In an emergency, Free-Motion operation can be deactivated and doors close quickly and securely behind users. Door control is never compromised.

Improving the building environment: noise and energy use

Noise is an underestimated stress factor in the workplace or shared living environments. With another innovative Door Closer technology, Close-Motion, ASSA ABLOY enables almost silent door operation. A Close-Motion Door Closer quickly closes the door up to a narrow gap, then softly dampens it and pulls it slowly, quietly, and securely to shut tight. The only audible sound is a soft click. Even in the most difficult conditions, with wind pressure, draughts, or air suction, slamming doors become a thing of the past.

Noise is not the only environmental factor which Door Closer technology can address. The energy case for reliable closing is straightforward. One study in Japan measured infiltration, room temperature, and electricity use in a real commercial environment, comparing an open and closed entrance door while air-conditioning attempted to cool to 24°C. It found the open-door infiltration rate was more than 21× the closed-door rate, and the room stayed around 5°C warmer with the door open. Buildings are among the world’s major consumers of electricity. A simple and effective way to reduce energy waste – and simultaneously save building management costs – is to ensure their doors are closed, reliably and effectively.

“Of course, the security and fire safety requirements of a door closer should never be overlooked,” says Andreas Gmelin, Director and Head of Product and Innovation, Door Closer product unit EMEIA at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions. “For security, the door closer is essential. A door left ajar – whether by wind, human error, or wear and tear – undermines access protocols and can impact fire safety. Intelligent closers work alongside digital locking and access systems to ensure doors shut reliably behind every authorized user.”

“And the benefits do not stop there. An ASSA ABLOY Door Closer can help create quieter, more relaxed spaces. It ensures premises are easy to navigate for everyone, and maintains this accessibility over time. This applies even in the most challenging environments, from hospitals and stadiums to schools and railway stations. ASSA ABLOY closers combine high-quality engineering with stylish, contemporary aesthetics. They deliver high performance in any environment. The entire product range is designed for access and built for comfort.”

For more informations visit www.assaabloy.com/group/emeia/solutions/topics/door-closers