Brookline Industries • 1624 South Clinton Street • Chicago, Illinois USA 60616

Door Closer Nomenclature

Closer Cycles

closer nomenclature
Closing Cycle: The entire length of travel from where the door is in the fully open position until the door is completely closed and latched
Opening Cycle: The entire length of travel from where the door in the closed position until it reaches the fully open position including the back check cycle
Latch: The last 15 degrees of the closing cycle before the lock engages the strike. This cycle allows the door speed to be decreased before it latches reducing the stress on the frame
Back Check: The last 15 Degrees of the opening cycle before the closer reaches its maximum opening limit.This cycle slows the door down before it reaches the mechanical end of the opening cycle.
Sweep: The distance between the end of the opening cycle until the beginning of the latch cycle

Technical Note: Back check should never be used to replace an overhead stop or a physical door stop

Adjustments and Options

Delay: An pause at the end of the opening cycle before the closing cycle begins
Power Adjustable: A mechanical function of a door closer that allows a person to increase or decrease the opening and closing strength of the closer
Drop Plate: A metal plate used when a ceiling, frame or door condition does not permit any of the standard surface closer mounting styles

Surface Closer Mountings

Regular Arm: Pull side mounting where the standard closer arm is used. This mounting is the most geometrically efficient for the closer
Top Jamb: Push side mounting where the closer is mounted on the frame and the arm on the door. This mounting is the next best alternative to the Regular arm mounting. Suggested for exterior doors
Parallel Arm: This push side application provides the most appealing appearance for a surface mounted door closer having a standard arm. With the arm running parallel to the door, this application is less prone to vandalism. A Parallel Arm Application will all the door to swing up to 180 degrees in one direction, but due to the arm configuration there is a 25 percent loss of power compared to regular and top jamb applications