How to stop 'Fire doors' from slamming?

Question

I have recently moved into a new-build flat. The doors in the flat are solid wood fire doors, which make so much noise when they shut. They are fitted with a spring, which I suppose is why they are called fire doors. But I am told that if I remove these then this would invalidate my home insurance policy in the unfortunate event of a fire. Can anyone suggest what I could do/use to make the doors less quieter when they close? Its quite annoying when I am trying to sleep and my flat mate gets up early for work, it wakes me up!

Your advice is greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

If they are overhead closers they can be adjusted to close gently with a screwdriver. If they are simple spring devices they will always slam. The only way to quieten them would be to put rubber draught strip on the door stop moulding and ask your mate to stop them slamming!

Answer 2

Hi .. It sounds like the closers need adjusting.. if they are the spring chain type that are fixed in the centre, between the door & the frame, they are commonly known as 'perko' door closers.

The first thing to do is to pull the chain out as far as you can from the door side (use the claw of a hammer) & fit a small plate  to hold it there to stop the tension from pulling it back into the door.

Then it can be adjusted by releasing the 4 screws that hold the plate fixed to the door frame & turning clockwise or anti-clockwise until the desired tension is found.

Refit the plate to the frame & test.

If you get stuck let me know.

Answer 3

By your description I don't see door closers being present, nor do I assume they are relative as you make any reference to them.  

Because of the weight and density of the doors they are loud when they come in contact with the jams.  You simply need to replace or install some door silencers, which are urethane bumpers that are mounted on the closing edge of the jamb.  If the jambs are set up for them from the  there will be holes for their installation; if not, you can purchase self adhesive silencers and can buy them at a hardware store or home centers.  They will deaden the close considerably as long as your mate isn't in the habit of slamming doors

Mike Lonergan

TradesProfessional, Inc.

http://www.tradesprofessional.com  

Answer 4

Easy

Ask your flat mate to take a tiny moment to be considerate, and ease the door shut.

Do not alter any safety features if they are truly ''fire doors''.

Answer 5

lf the door has a metal frame,look for holes where the hits the frame. lf they are empty,their are round rubber buttons( silencers) that you can buy to put in these holes. lf no holes, put stick on weather stripping where the door hits the jamb,from top to bottom.

Answer 6

If they are fitted with hydraulic type closers (the type with cranked arm) then they can be adjusted for pre-close and the for final 15 degrees or so, which can be very slow and quiet, there will be either two adjusting screws or one 'two way' s***w, if you state the name of the manufacturer it may help.

Answer 7

Change the type of door closers for ones that are damped - ie swing shut fast and then slow down before closing. There are loads on the market but can get pricey and some are pig ugly. They are there for you own protection so don't do away with them altogether.

You can add felt strips but with practice you (or flatmate) can just stop them slamming yourself by closing them gently.

Answer 8

The tension can be adjusted on the hinges.

Insert a small allen wrench(I forget the size) into any available "pin hole"on the hinge.turn it a little and remove the set pin in the (not the hinge pin)hinge.replace the pin when you get the tension that pleases you.

Answer 9

if it is the spring type (one side fixed to the door jamb & the spring end fixed inside the door) you can uscrew the jamb side and give the leaf a turn (should be arrows showing plus and minus saying which way to turn minus to decrease the spring strength) then fix back to jamb with screws. If it is the door closer type(with an arm fixed to a hydraulic casing which it should used be for a fire door) there are two small screws with plus and minus arrows on one end. one s***w determines the door closing speed the other to slow the door on entry to the frame giving a quieter shutting motion. if you can't see the screws you might have to remove the casing(if it has one)

Answer 10

Refit with a commercial spring...if you are still in the building process, simply remove the spring prior to the inspection. Be sure when purchasing the spring that it is commercial. Good luck!