When someone asks for a fire rated door closer with hold open, the conflict is built into the request. Most people don’t live in NFPA 80 or the International Code Council (ICC) every day; they just want the garage door to close automatically and also stay open at 90° when needed.
As one homeowner put it:
“I’m looking for two door closers for my garage door between the house and the garage. It’s a fire door and I need it to close on its own, but I was also looking for that ninety-degree hold open as well.
Do you have door closers that have both of those?”
So the question is: Can a fire-rated door go with hold-open feature at 90°?
A Garage Door Closer Case in San Ramon, CA
A homeowner in San Ramon contacted us about the door between his garage and the house. He wanted a simple upgrade: keep the fire-rated protection, but also add a 90° hold-open for daily convenience.
The requirements were straightforward — and interesting:
- Fire-rated, self-closing door closer
- 90° hold-open function
- Clean, compact hardware (no bulky surface closer)
- US32D stainless finish
- Specs: 80″ × 30″ × 1-3/4″ door, <150 lbs, three 4″×4″ 5/8″ radius mortises
What made this case stand out is that he specifically wanted fire-rated and hold-open in the same closer — two features that don’t align under code. What are these features? Let’s break down what each feature actually means and how they apply to door applications and building requirements.
What is Fire Rated Door Closer
On a typical house–garage opening, the door isn’t just a passage — it is the fire and smoke barrier between fuel (the garage) and people (the living space). That’s why IRC R302.5.1 and NFPA 80 5.2.14.1 require this door to be fire-rated and self-closing. To meet that requirement, the door closer must perform three things consistently:
- Self-closing / automatic-closing: The door must return fully to the closed position from the full-open position without assistance.
- Keep the door latched: The closer must supply enough closing force for the latch to engage; a door that closes but doesn’t latch cannot function as a fire door.
- Maintain the fire rating: The door, frame, hardware, and closer must all be part of a listed fire door assembly, typically 20,45,60,90 minutes for a garage–house opening.
Some outstanding door closers also carry UL 3-hour listings for higher-rated applications.
What is Hold Open Door Closer
On the other hand, a hold-open door closer keeps the door at a fixed angle so it doesn’t drift closed – helpful for moving materials, improving circulation, or keeping staff from constantly re-opening a door.
On multi-function closers, hold-open is usually:
- Field-settable at about 85–90°, where the geometry of the closer gives maximum usable opening without over-stressing the arm.
- Released with a small push past the hold-open point, returning the door to normal self-closing.
A hold-open door closer lets you keep the door parked at 90° and still enjoy the closing control when you release it.
Can Fire Rated Door Closers Go With Hold Open?
No. A fire-rated door closer cannot use a mechanical hold-open feature — the two functions do not coexist under any fire-door code.
Think about your garage door. If a fire starts in the garage and the door is held open at 90°, the barrier fails instantly — smoke, heat, and flame move straight into the house. That is exactly the scenario the code is written to prevent.
Therefore, we recommend you not include a hold-open feature on any fire-rated door. Even if the door closers offer the feature, it must remain disabled when installed on a rated assembly.
Image credit: Danley’s
How Did We Choose the Correct Door Closer When Fire Rating and Hold Open Conflict
For this opening, we recommended a soft-closing fire-rated door closer, NO hold-open, based on the K51M-400-B3-58R. In plain language: a 4″ × 4″ full-mortise door closer, matched to his 5/8″ radius hinge design, configured strictly as a fire-rated soft-closing device.
Waterson always prioritizes building safety, so while we offer both fire-rated and hold-open options, we specify only what aligns with code and the application. If you’re unsure which closer is appropriate for your project, send us your door details — our team will guide you immediately.
Building Compliant Spring Door Closers: From Fire Rated to Hold Open
Waterson stainless steel spring door closers come in two compliance pathways — Fire Rated and Hold Open — each designed for different building requirements. Many features are shared across both systems, but the functions, allowed applications, and compliance rules are very different.
Fire Rated Door Closer vs Hold Open Door Closer
| Category | Fire Rated Spring Door Closer | Hold Open Spring Door Closer |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Stainless Steel 304/316 | |
| Construction | Heavy-duty, full-mortise spring closer | |
| ADA Compliance | ≤5 lbs opening force, a closing time of ≥5 seconds, and meet vertical clearance for accessible swing paths. | |
| Cycle Performance | 1,000,000-cycle tested (ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 equivalent) | |
| Adjustability | Numerical tension adjuster; multi-stage speed control | |
| Self-Close & Soft-Close | Smooth, controlled self-closing and soft-closing performance | |
| Corrosion Resistance | Weather-resistant 316 stainless steel; PVD finish options | |
| Door Fit | Available in multiple sizes, templates, and radius prep options | |
| Warranty | 3-10 years for outdoor, 5-10 years for indoor | |
| Primary Function | Mandatory self-closing for fire and smoke compartmentation | Convenience-based 85°–90° hold-open for daily use |
| Fire Rating | UL-listed fire door assembly components (up to 3-hour models available) | Not fire-rated; cannot be used on rated doors |
| Hold Opening | Not permitted (mechanical hold-open prohibited by code) | Adjustable 85°–90° mechanical hold-open available |
| Code Compliance | Complies with IRC R302.5.1 and NFPA 80 requirements | Mechanical hold-open not allowed on fire-rated openings |
| Typical Applications | Garage-to-house doors, stairwells, rated corridors, fire lobbies | Offices, interior passages, retail, hospitality, and convenience use |
| Ideal Use Case | Where life safety and inspection compliance come first | Where daily convenience and user flow matter most |
Waterson Spring Loaded Fire Rated Door Closer and Hold Open Door Closer
Waterson fire rated and hold open door closers combine the function of an overhead closer and a hinge into a single, sleek component—complete with optional hold-open and door-stop features. Designed for commercial openings, gates, and glass doors, these hinges are easy to install and adjust to meet ADA and ICC A117.1 standards for opening force, while ensuring quiet and secure closure. Crafted from durable stainless steel, they are NFPA 80 compliant, UL 3-hour fire-rated, and built to perform reliably in both interior and all-weather exterior environments. See all our features.
In addition to these performance advantages, Waterson offers flexible customization services. As a direct custom hinge manufacturer, we can tailor hinge sizes, finishes, and especially hinge leaf designs to meet the specific structural needs of your doors. This makes our hinges an ideal solution for door manufacturers seeking custom options that integrate seamlessly with their existing frames.
Request For Information
Please note that Waterson Closer Hinges start from a size of 4″x4″. If you’re in need of smaller self-closing hinges, we’d recommend checking out some other resources! Also, we only provide single acting closer hinges. Thank you.
Recent Post
Fire Rated Door Closer with Hold Open: Can They Go Together
When someone asks for a fire rated door closer with hold open, the conflict is built into the request. Most people don’t live in NFPA [...]
Why 0-120° Door Opening Angle Perform Best in Spring Hinges
“Can I use your self-closing hinges on a door that opens more than 120 degrees?” It’s a question we’ve heard often—and it’s a fair one. [...]
Why Do Pool Gate Hinges Rust So Fast
If your pool area gate looks spotless but the hinge is covered in orange rust, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common [...]