How to Adjust a Spring Door Closer

Spring door closers are often used in commercial and institutional applications to ensure that doors close without human help. The closer uses a spring and piston to control the closing speed and the latching speed of the door. The speed of the door increases slightly when it reaches the door frame to ensure that there is enough force behind the door to latch; otherwise, the door could remain unsecured. Adjust the door when it closes too fast, too slow or fails to latch.

Tape
Stepladder
Hex key set or flat-head screwdriver

Instructions

- 1
  Close the door and tape a sign to it notifying others not to open the door while you are adjusting it.
- 2
  Stand on a stepladder to access the door closer. Look on the end of the door closer for the two adjustment screws. There may be a cover over the screws that you will need to pull off.
- 3
  Insert a hex key or flat-head screwdriver into the closing-speed adjustment screw. Turn the screw counterclockwise to increase the closing speed, or turn it clockwise to slow the door as it closes.
- 4
  Insert a hex key or flat-head screwdriver into the latching-speed adjustment screw. Turn this screw counterclockwise to increase the latching speed, or turn it clockwise to slow the latching speed.
- 5
  Move the stepladder away from the door. Open the door and release it to watch it close. If you are satisfied with the speed of the close and latch, replace the cover on the closer if you removed one. Make additional adjustments to the closer until you are comfortable with the closing speed and the latching speed.

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