Fire safety is a major concern, especially for public buildings or apartment blocks where a fire started on one floor can quickly consume an entire building. Damage to property is the smallest concern where the loss of life is frighteningly likely.
Yet the simple act of keeping the doors closed can help keep a fire at bay, radically altering the amount of time it takes fire and smoke to spread through a building from mere seconds and minutes to lengthier tens of minutes and even hours. An automatic door closer works to keep doors firmly shut when not in use – it closes doors behind you, guarantees their protection, and ultimately saves lives.
Difficulty in Choosing Fire Wood Door Hinges
NFPA 80, ANSI/BHMA Standards A156.4 and A156.15 require automatically closing doors to meet fire safety regulations. In homes over two stories, every habitable room door leading to a stairwell must be a fire door. Unfortunately, these regulations overlook the unattractive appearance of most auto door closers, which can mar a building’s aesthetic. Concealers offer an alternative but are limited to thinner doors with a maximum 20-minute smoke protection rating. Larger, higher-rated fire doors (¾ HR or 1 ½ HR) are too bulky or costly to implement with concealers.
Get more insights about self closing fire door hinges here.
How to install Door Closer on Wood Door
Waterson fire door hinges are very easy to install. First, you simply need the following items:
- Pencil and drill
- 3mm and 5mm hex wrenches (included)
- Spreader bar (included with double spring (DS) hinge)
- Philips screwdriver
After preparing the tools, here is the end-to-end instruction:
- Measure the distance from the top edge of the wooden door down to determine the installation position of the Door Closer.
- Use a pencil to mark the holes that need to be drilled according to the accompanying installation guide.
- Use a drill to create holes at the marked points.
- Attach the base of the Door Closer to the door using screws to secure it firmly.
- Install the other components of the Door Closer as per the instructions and check for stability.
- Ensure the Door Closer operates smoothly without any obstructions when the door opens and closes.
For detailed and straightforward instructions on how to install a door closer., refer to the video below. The hinge installation method demonstrated can be applied to various door types.
Speed Control
With an adjustable level of hydraulic balance and mechanical spring, you can ensure the door closes in a way that most suits the environment, with a slow soft shut in the final inches to avoid any damage from slamming. The controls are easily understood too, with a clear display indicating the settings rather than the less-defined levels on any current spring system. The Waterson hinge works with your door. There are no damaging fixtures, no hard impacts, and never a need to drill or cut unpleasant holes in the door. If the time comes for the door to be moved and used elsewhere, it will be a matter of moments clear of undesired repair.
Safety with Ideal Decor and Design
Reports of fires tearing their way through buildings that do not have proper door-closing protection are sadly all too common. As recently as May 2018, a fire devastated an apartment building in the Bronx, left able to spread rapidly due to a lack of proper fire-regulated doorways and resulting in the deaths of five children and seven adults. By fitting a Waterson hinge to your beautifully finished wooden doors, you provide tangible support to the safety of anyone on your property, whether they be long-time residents in an apartment block or overnight guests in a five-star hotel.
Waterson Door Closer for Fire Wood Doors
Waterson Hinges combine an overhead closer and hinge into one attractive component with optional hold-open and door-stop features. These hinges are ideal for commercial openings, gates, and glass doors. The hinges are easily installed and adjusted to comply with ADA & ICC A117.1 requirements for opening force and to assure quiet, secure closing. Made with stainless steel, Waterson door hinges meet NFPA 80 and are UL 3-hour fire-rated, as well as being suitable for both interior and all-weather exterior openings. See all our features.
Request For Quote
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.
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