There are different door closer grades which can properly elevate a building’s safety functionalities. However, each grade-level door closer has different levels and criteria depending on the requirements for use and the environmental conditions. These grades, which are outlined in the ANSI/BHMA 156.4 standard, must be understood when deciding on the proper door hardware when doing any construction of either commercial or residential premises.
OUDE, being a world-class producer of premium door closers, is blessed with decades of experience in the crafting of such door hardware that adheres to industry requirements. Applying advanced level of technology in manufacturing and thorough testing of procedures, OUDE’s ability to produce reliable solutions of door closers of all grades is impressive since they can efficiently serve their intended purpose.
Choose the Right Door Closer Grade for Your Building’s Needs！
There are 56.4 specifications relating to door closer grades, which fall within the A policies set forth by the ANSI/BHMA professional. For homebuilders and designers, these policies serve as established guidance on door safety and protection. According to OUDE, which adheres to professionalism, manufacturers of door closers are compliant with such standards, including ANSI/BHMA A156.4 and UL.
Testing Environment: Grading tests are carried out in controlled environments.
Temperature Range: They are done at 60 degrees to 85 degrees F.
Performance Metrics: This includes the number of cycles tested, how often it tends to operate, and how much closing force is exerted.
Quality Assurance: Standard tests are carried out for quality assurance as well as certification and monitoring of the processes.
The differences in performance of door closers of different grades are also provided in the ANSI/BHMA 156.4 standard. A door closer of grade 1 is the highest grade available and is tested for more than 2 million cycles at the rate of 60 percent efficiency. Such grade is acceptable for heavy duty commercial applications. On the other hand, Grade 2 door closers are tested for 1 million cycles at the rate of 50 percent and are suitable for medium traffic areas.
One of the areas that the selection of an appropriate door closer grade focuses on is the following:
Building Code Compliance: Achieving building codes locally and nationally.
Safety Requirements: Ensuring proper door operation in emergency situations
Long-term Reliability: Guaranteeing consistent performance over time
Cost-Effectiveness: Proper grade selection can lead to more level-rich returns.
OUDE pursues the theme of competitiveness and invests all its capabilities in ensuring the manufacture of locking mechanisms that are best suited in the market. All our products are heavily tested in order to make them operative in their respective use cases.
Different environments require specific door-closer grades:
| Application Type | Recommended Grade | Daily Cycles |
|---|---|---|
| High-Traffic Commercial | Grade 1 | 1000+ |
| Medium Traffic Commercial | Grade 1 or 2 | 250-1000 |
| Light Commercial | Grade 2 | 100-250 |
| Residential | Grade 3 | <100 |
Here at OUDE, we have a policy that emphasizes the fact that every project is different. Being one of the door closer manufacturers, our aim is to customize our door closing solutions for organizations operating in different sectors.
Grade 3 door closers are the lowest doors graded and are tested for 500,000 cycles at 50% efficiency. Some of the applications compatible with this grade include:
While OUDE offers Grade 3 door closers for residential applications, we recommend considering higher grades for better long-term value and reliability in commercial settings.
OUDE’s premium range of products, including Grade 1 Door closers, possess the greatest durability and performance benchmarks in the industry. Grade 1 door closers, specifically these are tested for 2 million deadbolt cycles at 60% effectiveness, which is ideal for busy commercial establishments where people and door usage are high. Additionally, these Grade 1 door closers have removable and reliable seals that do not compromise their structure as a result of abuse. These closers are also rechargeable and reliable even under multifarious conditions.
Grade 2 door closers have a mixture of cycles and chances with cycle ratings of 50%, which is lower than that of Grade two designers. However, they can be favorably used in high-arm space. However, they do measure well in providing effective solutions while being cost-effective and attaining satisfactory durability.
The grading of the doors is done by separating it into ranges from grade 1 to 3, with grade 3 doors being the lowest grade doors which can open and shut for half a million cycles. These doors can be used for domestic and light commercial applications only. Brother OUDE only suggests these doors for light and basic use, considering their reliability and value that comes in the long run.
The following are the distinct features and functionalities of Grade 1 and Grade 3 door closers:
| Features | Grade 1 | Grade 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cycle Testing | 2 million | 500,000 |
| Efficiency | 60% | 50% |
| Best Applications | High-traffic commercial | Residential |
| Durability | Highest | Standard |
OUDE’s Advanced Testing and Quality Assurance
Just meeting the minimum requisites of testing and maintenance is not enough at OUDE. Superior quality standards and constant enhancements have helped us at our ultimate focus; our customers.
- Multi-Station Machining application for accurate offsets for the job
- Qualified staff to do inspections and set-ups
- Equipment that is used ins testing to ensure that the product goes through excessive use
- Extensive testing on performance, efficiency, heat loss and airflow
Using the appropriate materials affected the door closure performance at each stage of testing, as material selection affected static testing and cycling as well as endurance testing, which met the ANSI/BHMA A156.4 door closer grade requirements
If you ever need to order a door closer, these considerations must be taken:
| Criteria | Grade 1 | Grade 2 | Grade 3 |
| Traffic Volume | High (1000+ daily cycles) | Medium (250-1000 daily cycles) | Light (under 250 daily cycles) |
| Application Type | Commercial buildings | Educational facilities | Healthcare facilities |
| Educational facilities | Healthcare facilities | Residential | |
| Healthcare facilities | |||
| Environmental Conditions | External doors | Internal doors (traffic determines grade) | Internal doors (traffic determines grade) |
| Region | Temperature ratings must be checked | Temperature ratings must be checked | Temperature ratings must be checked |
| Budget Considerations | Effective Return on Investment | Effective Return on Investment | Effective Return on Investment |
| Maintenance requirements | Maintenance requirements | Maintenance requirements | |
| Life expectancy | Life expectancy | Life expectancy |
It is important to note that doors are not just mass-manufactured, as they have different characteristics and grades depending on the application. Odd as it may sound, manufacturers like OUDE simply recommend this blunt grading as the focus is not only on mirrors, but these revisions practically cover all the focals:
Initial cost is the major factor that encourages buyers to buy low-grade products, but in the case of martice and surface door closers, this approach is not reasonable. The operational costs of a one-time investment in OLDE’s Grade 1 experience these factors as the investment towards operational maintenance is considerably less.
In most contemporary units, closing mechanisms are integrated with closing systems that allow the design to perform more than just the basic purpose of controlling door movement. Controlling door movements is made possible with delay action, adjustable speed of the doors closing, and backcheck control. OUDE’s advanced system for door closers is particularly useful in healthcare as well as educational settings where there are vast discrepancies between the populations of the users, including elderly patients and young pupils.
The environmental conditions in which the door closer operates may be fluctuating across a range of temperatures or humidity levels. This is a challenge which OUDE takes care of with the selection of materials and design. Our Grade One door closers work effectively in a temperature range of 20 Degrees Fahrenheit up to 140 Degrees Fahrenheit, making it convenient to use in extreme heat and also extreme cold environments. Utilizing the latest technology, hydraulic fluid in OUDE door closes does not change viscosity in relation to temperature, therefore the control of the door remains stable irrespective of the time of the year.
In the case of doors, closing, devices are required by certain fire safety rules to meet minimum performance standards. If these standards are not met in commercial and institutional buildings, they can be fatal in crises, which is what OUDE combats by endorsing the right protocols. All OUDE door closers follow and exceed these standards by undergoing assessment of fire tests and seals, which ensure that they can withstand the test for an emergency as well as secure the door in case of one. Our products are certified UL. The certification means that the building owners and the facility managers do not have to worry about safety when dealing with potential harm.
Regular scheduled maintenance has a pronounced effect on a door closer’s operation and its life expectancy within all grades. OUDE door closers are manufactured with replaceable parts and have adjustable mechanisms which allow for regular maintenance and periodic re-calibration. Due to the advantages of using high-quality materials and precise construction of OUDE’s products, there is less abrasion in the products and service life is prolonged, resulting in lower total cost of ownership to the building managers.
The nomination of the required door closer grade is a key factor when determining the reliability of construction over time and in relation to its cost throughout the building cycle. It is apparent that the use of High Traffic areas within the grade 1 specification or residential areas for grade 3, it is critical to know what each grade entails to make the necessary decisions that increase security and the ability of the building
Our catalog of comprehensive door closers manufactured by OUDE strictly complies with the A156.4 standard of ANSI/BHMA indicating the company’s willingness to maintain high quality and innovation. By utilizing OUDE door closers, customers not only get quality products, but also experienced assistance and exceptional warranty coverage, which guarantees that the value of their investment will endure and their outcomes are going to be unmatched.
For detailed advice on the selection of the appropriate door closer grade for you, please contact warm OUDE’s technical personnel or go to our products showcased on the page OUDE’s website.
OUDE’s full assortment of certified door closers enables everyone to find the most appropriate application for their fittings.
OUDE can be contacted for tailored assistance regarding the most appropriate door closer for the purpose in concern.
