Why businesses should invest in a door closer

An employer has several fundamental duties to perform before even thinking about managing a business. These basic responsibilities are safeguarding the assets of the business – its people and its property – and providing a safe and comfortable working environment. There are many different elements involved in this, ranging from fire safety and security, to installing air conditioning and creating ergonomic workstations. But this all requires an investment in fulfilling basic legal obligations. The infrastructure of a business is important to get right, as it helps people perform their basic functions and means the business is operating from firm foundations, and while you might think an item such as door closers is inconsequential when it comes to the bigger picture, it is a good example of a business getting the little things right to harness a thriving and productive workplace.

What is a door closer?

A door closer is a mechanism which acts to ensure that a door is properly closed, and is not left open or ajar. This has various benefits and makes an important contribution to the functional design of a building. There are various different models of door closer, including overhead door closers – probably the most popular type – concealed door closers, spring door closers and floor mounted door closers.

While these designs all work slightly differently, the fundamental basis of a door closer is to control the closing action of the door, to stop it slamming shut, and to then ensure it comes to rest in the closed position safely and securely. The overhead door closer is a hydraulic design which comes in two sections, a metal body is attached to the door frame, while a hinged steel arm is attached to the body and to the door itself. This mechanism takes control of the door at a pre-set point of the movement arc and then enables it to close in a controlled way.

How a business will benefit from a door closer

Door closers are usually fitted on exterior doors, internal fire doors and doors in high-traffic areas. The common feature of these types of doors is that they require consistent closure. Fire doors should always be closed to prevent the spread of fire, while exterior doors should be closed for security reasons. But here we will look at all the benefits of door closers for commercial businesses:

Security – Some door locks are a bolt design, where the lock is engaged by a sensor which is only activated when the door is in the closed position. So in this case, the door has to close or the lock won’t engage. A door closer is therefore essential in ensuring the door closes and the business has the security it needs.
Fire safety – Fire regulations dictate that fire doors should always be closed to prevent the spread of fire. So door closers enable this and ensure that designated fire doors are always closed.
Injuries – When the door closer takes control of the closing door, it prevents it slamming shut. This can happen in areas where a wind tunnel develops, in internal corridors or close to external doors for example. In such cases a door slammed shut can injure someone, but the door closer prevents this happening, as well as when someone slams the door deliberately, or by accident. By controlling the door closing motion, the door closer slows down this motion, and therefore enables people to move quickly through the door, without the door closing on them and striking them.
Damage – Doors slamming shut can also cause damage to adjacent walls and to the door and the door frame, creating additional costs for the business.
Energy efficiency – By ensuring a door is always closed you are maximising heat retention and minimising thermal transfer. This is when heat is allowed to escape from a room and is replaced by cold air. Open doors can create this, meaning it is harder to maintain a stable temperature in a room and you use more energy trying to do so.
Compliance – Door closers are often viewed positively in audits for health and safety and insurance compliance, because they ensure doors are closed and act as a safeguard against human error.

So there are various benefits to a business in investing in a door closer, as it acts as a passive control measure to help the business manage security, health and safety and environmental management. You can speak to our experts at MB Direct about the best door closer for your needs, and then you can order your door closer online today.