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Home > Help Center > Door Closer Information > How Do You Install A Door Closer On A Metal Door?

How Do You Install A Door Closer On A Metal Door?

How Do You Install A Door Closer On A Metal Door?

In this article we go over everything you need to know about installing a door closer on any kind of commercial hollow metal steel door.

Check For Hollow Metal Door Closer Reinforcement Plate

A hollow metal door is a type of commercial door manufactured from steel sheets. Although professionals often refer to steel doors as "hollow metal" doors, they are really not hollow. Commercial hollow metal doors are filled with an insulation core, either honey comb or polystyrene which is sandwiched inbetween the steel sheets. Hollow metal doors vary in the steel sheet thickness with 18 gauge being the most popular. Most hollow metal doors should have built in door closer reinforcement plate which is designed for the door closer to mount to. Without a door closer reinforcement plate, when the door closer is installed it could collapse or dimple the steel sheet of the door. The illustration below is a typical hollow metal door component blow out diagram. The heavy duty 12 gauge steel reinforcement plate for door closers is shown below.



Check For Hollow Metal Door Fire Rating

Before beginning door closer installation, it is important to check if the hollow metal door is fire rated. A fire rated hollow metal door will have a label on the hinge side of the door which states the fire rating. The most common fire rated doors are rated for 3 hours. If the hollow metal door is fire rated, the door closer that is installed must also be fire rated meaning it should have the UL10c label, which indicates use on 3 hour fire door assemblies. Installing a non fire rated door closer is not acceptable for use on fire rated doors.



Installation On Hollow Metal Door With A Door Closer Reinforcement Plate

Step 1: Drill and Tap Holes

Decide the door closer installation type: standard mount, top jamb, or parallel arm mount.



Lay the door closer body and arm shoe in the proper locations and use a pencil to mark the mounting hole locations. Using a #7 drill, carefully drill each mounting hole. If machine screws are used for mounting the door closer body and arm shoe, then each drilled hole must be tapped using a 1/4-20 tap. However, if self drilling metal screws are used, no tapping is required. Hollow metal door closer reinforcement plates are typically made of 12 gauge steel, so pre-drilling should always be done.



Step 2: Mount The Door Closer Body and Arm

Mount the door closer body and arm to the door and frame. Be sure to preload the door closer spring according to the manufacturer's specifications. Connect the door closer arm to the door closer body.



Step 3: Adjust The Door Closer Properly

Carefully adjust the door closer speed. Remember, according to ADA Standards section 404.2.8 it should take atleast 5 seconds for the door to close from 90 degrees to 12 degrees.



Installation On Hollow Metal Doors Without A Door Closer Reinforcement Plate

Step 1: Drill Mounting Holes

Unfortunately, hollow metal doors with no door closer reinforcement plate are often much less expensive, as a result these hollow metal doors are sometimes sneaked into construction bids, as a means of appearing at a lower cost than competitors. If the hollow metal door does not have a reinforcement plate, sleeve nuts and bolts, or sex nuts and bolts are recommended as they will help prevent the hollow metal door from collapsing or dimpling upon on door closer installation. Sleeve nuts and bolts greatly increase the holding strength, ensuring the door closer will not come off the door.

Decide the door closer installation type: standard mount, top jamb, or parallel arm mount. Lay the door closer body and arm shoe in the proper locations and use a pencil to mark the mounting hole locations. Using a 9/32" drill, carefully drill each mounting hole all the way through from the door closer side. Then using a 3/8" drill, drill each mounting hole on the non-closer side, being sure not to go all the way through this time.



Step 2: Mount The Door Closer Body and Arm

Mount the door closer body and arm to the door and frame. Insert the sleeve nut into each hole and carefully tighten each bolt that goes into the sleeve nuts. Be sure to preload the door closer spring according to the manufacturer's specifications. Connect the door closer arm to the door closer body.


Step 3: Adjust The Door Closer Properly

Carefully adjust the door closer speed. Remember, according to ADA Standards section 404.2.8 it should take atleast 5 seconds for the door to close from 90 degrees to 12 degrees.

Check Building and Fire Codes

Some building and fire codes may require your door application to use sleeve nuts and bolts. It is always best to double check as codes vary depending on the building location. Fasteners for fire/smoke door assemblies must conform to NFPA 80. In some applications additional fasteners may be mandated by NFPA 80 that are not shipped with standard door closers.

Conclusion

This guide is very useful for installing any commercial door closer on a hollow metal door. If the hollow metal door has a built in closer reinforcement plate, then self tapping screws or machine screws can be used. If the hollow metal door does not have closer reinforcement, then sleeve nuts and bolts should be used. Of course, always consult local jurisdictions, building codes, and fire codes, as some application may require different fasteners. If you are in need of a hollow metal door closer for new installation or replacement, we recommend Liberty Door Closers. These products are very high quality and manufactured to last. If you are looking to replace your original door closer with a new door closer with matching mounting holes, we can help. Please see our guide "How To Replace A Door Closer".


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