A Guide to Double Action Door Closers and Two-Way Swinging Doors

Optimising Traffic Flow: Double-Swing Doors

In high-traffic environments such as public buildings and busy commercial spaces, two-way swing doors are essential to efficient flow and accessibility. The efficiency of movement is often dictated by the specification of door hardware. For architects and fit-out planners, double-action door closers – and the two-way swinging doors they control – represent an ideal solution for balancing accessibility, fire safety, and durability.

Unlike standard single-action doors, which are limited to a 90-degree swing in one direction, double-action systems allow a door to swing 180 degrees. This provides seamless, hands-free push-to-open operation from either side, making them indispensable in corridors and other areas where large numbers of people may need to pass through safely.

Primary Uses and Purposes

Double action doors are primarily specified where ‘push’ access is required from both directions to maintain momentum and hygiene. Common applications include:

• Healthcare & Hospitals:

  Allowing stretchers and medical staff to pass through corridor doors without pulling on handles.

• Commercial Kitchens & Hospitality:

  Enabling waiters to move between the kitchen and dining area with their hands full, ensuring a smooth transition that minimises accidents.

• Retail & Stockrooms:

  Facilitating the movement of trolleys and pallet jacks in high-frequency environments.

• Public Buildings:

  Managing high-volume pedestrian traffic in lobbies and corridors to prevent bottlenecks.

• Emergency evacuation:

  Doors on escape routes should always be ‘push-to-open’ in the direction of evacuation. In many large buildings, this could be in either direction. Double-action door closers enable fire and smoke compartmentalisation without hindering escape direction.

The purpose extends beyond mere convenience. These systems are often chosen to meet BS 8300 and Approved Document M requirements, providing easier access for users with limited mobility, without compromising the door’s fire and smoke performance.

Technical Options: Floor Springs vs. Transom Closers

There are three primary methods for achieving controlled double-action movement in professional specifications:

1. Floor Springs

Floor springs are concealed beneath the finished floor level. They are the preferred choice for heavy, large-leaf doors (Rutland TS range up to 150kg) that require a minimalist look.

• Benefit: They offer superior weight-bearing capabilities and longevity in “extra-heavy” traffic areas.
• Constraint: Requires a floor cavity, which must be planned during the early stages of a concrete pour or sub-floor preparation.

2. Overhead Transom Closers

These units are morticed into the head of the door frame (the transom).

• Benefit: Ideal for aluminium shopfronts or refurbishments where cutting into the floor is not feasible.
• Constraint: The frame must be a “cased open” type, large enough to house the closer, and be without stops to allow the 180-degree swing.

The Rutland Transom Closer is available in 3 fixed power sizes.

3. Concealed Double Action Door Closers

While floor springs and transom closers are common, concealed double action closers (often morticed directly into the door leaf itself) offer a distinctly minimalistic architectural profile. For public buildings, they also have the advantage of being protected from abuse and tampering – pretty much buried out of sight.

With the Rutland concealed double-acting closer, you get the best of floor springs without the need for a deep floor pocket, with the precise control of the popular ITS.11204 concealed closer.

The new DAX Concealed Double-Action Closer kit includes everything needed: a floor pin, a closer mechanism, screws, and intumescent strips. It’s designed for high-end interior fit-outs where a “minimalist” aesthetic is paramount, and the structural impact on the floor or the ceiling must be minimised. The bottom spindle protrudes only 15mm into the floor or frame cill, and the top pivot pin into the frame head by 34mm.

Benefits of Concealed Double-Action Door Closers

Having the closer hidden within the door or the frame head brings a number of advantages, such as:

Overcoming Structural Constraints: These closers are ideal for projects where underfloor heating or structural slabs prevent the use of floor springs.

Aesthetic Continuity: The architectural lines of the door remain completely clear.

Cleaning & Hygiene: Less edges and clean surfaces promote good hygiene and are easier to clean.

Security & Safety: While the door is closed, the closer is inaccessible and out of sight. The arm is the only part that protrudes, and only when opened. 

Installation and Maintenance Essentials

For contractors, the integrity of any double-action swing door relies on precision fitment. All Rutland closers are supplied with clear instructions and life-size templates. There are also online demonstration videos to support most models.

Installation Considerations:

• Vertical Alignment: The top pivot (centre) and the bottom closer spindle must be perfectly aligned on the same vertical axis. Any deviation will cause the door to “lean,” resulting in uneven closing and premature wear on the pivot seals.
• Floor Box Levelling: For floor springs, the cement box must be installed level and flush with the final floor finish. Most professional units, such as those in the Rutland range, offer lateral and vertical adjustment within the box to compensate for minor site discrepancies.
• For Concealed Closers: These require leaf thicknesses of at least 44mm to allow for the morticing. Ensure the supplied intumescent seals are fitted, as these are intended to compensate for the removed timber in the event of a fire. Fire-rated doors should be type tested.
• Power Sizing: Ensure the closer is rated correctly for the door width and weight according to BS EN 1154.
• Fire Doors: Nothing should compromise the fire performance, structural integrity or rating of the door. Check requirements with the original door manufacturer, or consult your hardware supplier.

Maintenance Requirements:

To ensure compliance, a proactive maintenance schedule is required—typically every six months but more often for heavy use situations.

• Check for Leaks: Inspect the area around the spindle for hydraulic fluid. A leak usually indicates a failed seal, requiring a unit replacement.
• Valve Adjustment: Temperature changes can affect the viscosity of hydraulic fluid. Periodically adjust the closing and latching speed valves to ensure the door returns to the zero (centre) position without over-swinging or slamming.
• Screws and Fixings: Tighten all screws and bolts, particularly the pinion screws.
• Clearance: Ensure the floor plate and the gap at the bottom of the door are free from debris, which can scour the hardware and impede motion.

People Also Ask: Frequently Asked Questions

Are double action door closers fire rated?

Often they are, with caveats. To be used on a fire door, the closer must be rated for such, under BS EN 1154. The door assembly itself should be tested to BS EN 1634-1 and be CE/UKCA marked. Crucially, any “hold-open” function must be electromagnetic and linked to the building’s fire alarm system; mechanical hold-open devices are strictly prohibited on fire-rated doors.

For concealed closers, architects should ensure the manufacturer’s intumescent kit is used during installation, as morticing removes a significant portion of the door’s timber core.

What is the “backcheck” function on a double action closer?

Backcheck is a hydraulic “brake” that prevents the door from being flung open too hard, which could damage the hardware, the door, or the surrounding wall. Most professional closing devices include this as standard to protect the closer and door. However, in heavy-use environments, we recommend fitting a door-stop to prevent doors from  being slammed open against the walls.

Do concealed closers require a special pivot?

Yes. To achieve a double action swing, the door must be hung on a centre pivot set rather than traditional hinges. This allows the door to rotate around a fixed vertical axis. The Rutland DAX kit contains the necessary pivot/spindle set.

Can I use a double action closer on a single action door?

While technically possible with specific hardware adjustments, it is not recommended. Double action closers are designed for “cased open” frames. Using them on a frame with a door stop would negate their primary benefit and could lead to hardware stress.

What is the difference between a floor spring and a transom closer?

The primary difference is the mounting location. Floor springs are installed in the floor and support the door’s weight from below. Transom closers are hidden in the top of the frame. Floor springs are generally better for heavier doors, while transom closers are easier to retro-fit in certain partitioned environments.

Why does my double action door not stop at the centre?

This is usually due to “centring” issues. It can be caused by the closer’s centring adjustment being off-set, worn pivot points, or the door being warped. Rutland closers have an internal adjustment to fine-tune the “zero” position.

How often should I service a double action door?

In high-traffic commercial settings, a visual inspection should be performed monthly, with a full technical service and adjustment every six months to ensure it remains compliant with fire safety and accessibility standards.

Call us to discuss how Rutland can support your fire door and hardware specifications.

Or reach out online to our specialists today.