Door Closer makes and models – a like-for-like comparison

There is a plethora of choices of door closer brands, types, sizes and finishes available on the market today – allowing nearly any door and décor to be well matched to a functional and legal closing device. There’s no reason why you can’t enhance every door with the benefit of a self-closing device.

Obviously fire-resisting doors (firedoors) must have a suitable self-closing device, but non-fire doors can be fitted with a closer and even a hold-open device. This functionality allows the door to automatically close for privacy, and to stop unwanted noise and draughts, yet be kept open whenever desired. When it comes to door aesthetics, there’s various ways to go with the closer – concealed out of sight, go for a neat slimline closer, or make a feature of it with a door-enhancing designer metallic finish.

The downside to all this choice is that there are so many model references used by the different door closer brands, which all sound pretty similar; generally consisting of TS, BTS or ITS and 4-digit model numbers - which mean very little to the average layperson.

 

In a perfect world the principal architect, or specifier, would select the correct door closer and door for legal compliance, user experience and design aesthetics. However, there are many circumstances where an alternative make of closer, that meets the same safety specification, is considered. Maybe the fitter can’t get hold of the exact same brand. Or if an existing closer on a firedoor has failed, it needs replacing urgently to restore building safety. We’ve known it when regional availability or supply shortages have presented fit-out contractors or facilities maintenance staff with a dilemma.   Another challenge for facilities managers can be existing door closers not providing the performance required to overcome air-pressures, or ease of opening to assist less-able residents.

Fire compliance is probably one of the most important considerations when choosing an alternative door closer. Third-party certification of door closers is a recognised and generally respected way to ascertain door closer ‘fire rating’ and what particular door types that closer can be fitted to. If the firedoor was originally supplied as a complete doorset assembly, and you can indentify the manufacturer, then it's Field of Application and EXAP and classification reports will help you select the correct replacement closer. These reports (obtainable from the manufacturer) relate to a particular fire door core or system, detailing tested and permitted door closers, and if possible, what alternative door closer can be used. 

In Field of Application Reports, alternative door closers are sometimes permitted under a caveat like this; -

“Alternative face fix door closers must be tested to BS EN 1154, suitably CE/UKCA marked and Certifire approved.”

The Importance and Benefits of EN1154 Classification for Door Closers

Thankfully, there is a single, defined standard that categorises door closers from all the commonly found makes; Assa Abloy, Briton, Dorma, Hoppe, Geze, Rutland, and others. This is EN 1154, and it gives us a good basis for comparing door closers from one brand or model to another.

 

Being the officially recognised (‘harmonised’ or ‘designated’) standard of door closer performance, EN 1154 helps us compare like-for-like across the EU and UK markets. Any CE or UKCA-marked door closer model sold in Europe and the UK has to have an inital sample undergo testing to measure six essential performance characteristics; duty category, basic durability, power (door size/weight), fire or non-fire reated, essential safety, corrosion resistance. 

We have an in-depth article on reading and understanding the EN1154 grading label present on all CE/UKCA door closers.

 

By comparing the standardised EN1154 grade numbers on different brands and models of door closer, we have produced this quick reference guide to choosing an alternative to the UK’s most popular brands:

 

ARROW	ASSA	BOSS	BRITON IR	DORMA	HOPPE	GEZE	RUTLAND	SYNERGY
434	-	TS4.224	2003	TS 71	AR 6800	TS 1000C /TS 1500	TS.3204	S150.MEC
		TS4.224	-	-	AR 8200	-	TS.3204BC	-
-	-	-	-	-	-	-	TS4204DABC	S500
325VP/BC	DC200	TS5224V	1120B	TS 72VBC	AR 1500/3500	TS 2000NV	TS.5204BC	S600
-	-	-	-	-	AR 3500	-	TS.5204DABC	S610
325	-	TS5.225	-	TS83BC	AR 8300/8500	-	TS.9205BC	S800
-	-	TS5.225	-	TS 83VBC	AR 8300/8500	-	TS.9205DABC	S810
516	DC340	TS5.226	2130B	TS 83VBC	AR 9200/9500	TS4000S	TS.9206DABC	S900 (no DA)
-	-	TS.5225SA	-	-	AR 8209	-	TS.24	-
324	DC500	TS6224	2300	TS 91/2	AR 6409	TS 3000B	TS.11204	S3401
-	DC700	TS.6225	-	TS 93	AR 6509	-	TS.11205	S3501
C24V	-	ITS6224	2400 2-4	ITS 96 2-4	AR 7383	Boxer 2-4	ITS.11204	S1000
-	DC860	ITS6225	-	ITS 96 3-6	-	Boxer 3-6	ITS.11205	S1036
-	-	TS3.003/4 TS6003/FS	2820	BTS 80/84	AR 700	TS 500N	TS.700 3/4	S4003/ S4004
-	FS14V	-	-	BTS 75V	AR 760	TS 500NV	TS.7104	S4014
-	-	TS8.003	-	RTS 85	-	-	TS.8004	S5803 / S5804
623	-	TS7004	996	TS.73 EMF	AR1998	-	Responder 24	-
BM3SE-HO	-	-	-	-	-	TS.3000E	TS/FIRETRAK.114	S3401.EHO / S3406.EHO
-	-	-	-	TS.99	-	-	T.FIRETRAK.115	S3501.EHO / S3506.EHO

All brand names are Trademarks of their respective owners. ‘Nearest equivalent’ suggested on 2023 publicly available data. No warranties given; check suitability with manufacturer/s documentation.

Hopefully, the above will help you out when searching for an alternative door closer that matches your needs. Don’t forget, there are many upgrades also available so why not try a high-performing, smoother action closing device, or give your door appearance a revamp with matching door closer, handle, letterplate and other hardware finishes? 

Examples of high efficiency closers include the Rutand TS.9205, a rack-and-pinion closer that sits among our most efficient models and is popular for those working to meet BS 8300 requirements. Cam-action closers are also generally easier to open then many standard closer types.

 

In conclusion we can’t stress enough the importance of compliance and building safety when considering any change of door closer specification. If you are struggling to select or find the right door closer for compliance and fire rating requirements, ask us for assistance.

 

Rutland manufacture many different styles and sizes of door closers, and always keep thousands made up ready and in stock for fast delivery.