Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs | Door Hardware Online
BRITON DOOR CLOSERS & BRITON EXIT DEVICES
Frequently Asked Questions
Briton Door Closers & Briton Exit Devices Certification Information | |
| Which Briton door closers will help me meet my responsibilities under the Equality Act? (BS8300) | Briton 2320.T, Briton 2321.T, Briton 2420.T, Briton 2720BD.T, Briton 2721BD.T, |
| Can I fit a Briton delayed-action door closer on a fire door? | Yes, if it is CE marked as a fire door. We offer the 2721BD.T and 2720BD.T. The closing speed must not exceed 25 seconds. |
| Is the Briton 2003 door closer fire-rated in application 66? | No, it loses two power sizes in this application. Use the Briton 2003V door closer instead. |
| Can I use a Briton track arm door closer and still fulfil my responsibilities under the Equality Act? | You can do so, provided it is one of our cam action closers or an electromagnetic version. Suitable track closers include the Briton 2720, Briton 2721, Briton 2320, Briton 2321, and Briton 2420 cam action door closers. |
| Are all Briton door closers fire-rated? | With one exception. The Briton 2003 door closer is not fire-rated in application 66. |
| Are Briton panic bars and emergency exit devices insurance-rated in accordance with BS 3621? | No. All Briton exit devices have a security grade 2 under EN 1125 and EN 179 standards, meaning they are tested to 1000 newtons. |
| Can I use Briton escape devices on internal fire-rated doors? | Yes. All Briton panic bars and Briton push pads have UK fire certification for use on either wood or hollow metal doors. Check each product carefully for certification parameters before installation. |
| What is the maximum door width covered by EN 1125? | The standard only applies to doors up to 1200mm wide. |
Briton Door Closers & Briton Exit Devices Installation (Including Briton Door Closer Adjustment Instructions) | |
| What bracket is needed when installing a Briton 121 door closer application 66 parallel arm? | Briton 2003V.BRK66 |
| What bracket is needed when installing a Briton 2003 door closer application 66 parallel arm? | Briton 2003V.BRK66, the bracket should be included in the box. |
| I have a Briton 2130B.C door closer. Do I need a separate bracket to fix it for application 66? | Briton 2003V.BRK66, the bracket should be included in the box. |
| Can I replace a Briton 2003 door closer with a Briton 2003V door closer without re-drilling the door? | Yes, they have the same footprint, i.e. the screw holes share a common pattern. |
| I can't get any latch action adjustment on my Briton door closer. What's causing this? | This indicates that the arm has not been pre-tensioned during installation. Refer to the instruction sheets available on our website: Catalogues & Data Sheets. |
| Do I need to fit a door stop with my Briton door closer? | Yes, in every case, unless you use a door limiting stay or a door closer with a built-in stop on the arm assembly, such as the LCN 1461.CUSH.US28 | Door Closer (1460) |
| My wall is being damaged by the door slamming into it, despite having a Briton door closer installed. How can we address this? | Install a Briton wall or floor-mounted door stop or a door limiting stay. |
| I have a loft hatch; can I fit one of your door closers? | No, Briton closers are intended only for conventional doors. |
| My floor spring has become faulty, causing the door to slam. Could I convert the door to a single-action type and install a door closer? | Technically, it would work, but it would require a lot of effort to open the door, as you would be compressing two springs. It might be better to rehang the door on butt hinges or fit a new floor spring. |
| Can I use the Briton 2721.DVP push-side mounting bracket with the Briton 2321 cam-action door closer? | Yes, the Briton 2721.DVP is suitable for both the Briton 2300 series door closer and the Briton 2700 series door closer. |
| I have fitted a 376 series panic bolt, and the rods are dragging on the floor when I open the door. Why is this happening? | This could be due to one or more factors. Rods might be cut too long, the shoot-end plug may not be adjusted correctly, but more than likely the top tripper is not aligned according to the fixing instructions. Check all measurements and fixing positions against the installation instructions. |
| At what height should the crossbar be mounted on your panic hardware? | All Briton push bars or Briton push pads should be fitted at 900mm - 1100mm from the finished floor level. |
Briton Product Selection | |
| Do you offer a weatherproof door closer suitable for external doors and/or gates where the hardware is exposed to the elements? | Briton door closers are only guaranteed for internal use. Where you have external doors and/or gates, use the LCN 4040XP.SRI.US28 | Door Closer (4040) from our sister brand, LCN Closers. |
| Do you offer a door closer suitable for curved or arched doors? | We provide various solutions for curved and arched head doors. The tailored solution will depend on your specific door. Additional custom-made brackets may be required to ensure proper setup for your application. Please contact the sales office. E: emailto:britonsales@doorhardware-online.co.uk |
| I want to install a door closer on an exterior door that is subject to strong winds. Which unit do you recommend? | It is essential to fit a door closer with a backcheck and adjustable strength, such as the Briton 2130B.C or Briton 1130B. For outward-opening external doors, consider using the LCN 1461.CUSH.US28 | Door Closer (1460), which is featured on our sister website. |
| My door is wider than 1400mm. Which door closer can you recommend? | The maximum strength door closer we can supply is a power size 6. It can handle doors up to 1400mm wide, weighing no more than 120 kgs. Briton 2130B.C.SES | Door Closer (2130) |
| What is the performance difference between a Briton cam action fire door closer and a Briton rack and pinion fire door closer? | It pertains to the mechanical function and design of the closer. A cam action closer is generally more efficient and requires less force to operate. More detail on cam action technology can be found here: Briton 2720BD.T.S.SES | Door Closer - Data Sheet |
| What is your equivalent closer to the Dorma TS92? | Briton 2300 Series Cam Action Door Closer |
| What is your equivalent closer to the Geze TS3000? | Briton 2300 Series Cam Action Door Closer |
| What is your equivalent closer to the Dorma TS93? | Briton 2700 Series Cam Action Door Closer |
| I have an old Briton 997 electromagnetic door holder. What is the closest replacement? | Briton 9963/01.SES | Electro HO/Free Swing Door Closer (996) |
| I have a pair of escape route doors with plain meeting stiles. What combination of devices should I fit to these doors? | You must install a surface-mounted vertical rod device to each leaf, such as the Briton 376 push bar vertical bolt (EN 1125) or the Briton 372 push pad vertical bolt (EN 179). |
| I have a pair of escape route doors with rebated meeting stiles. What combination of devices should I fit to these doors? | You must install a rim latch on the active (or first-opening) leaf - Briton 378, and a surface-mounted vertical rod device on the fixed (or first-closing) leaf - Briton 376. This combination is available as a kit - specify the Briton 377 for pairs of rebated timber doors. The kit is supplied complete with a Briton 378-DDS double door strike. |
| Are alarm kits available for my Briton 376 series panic device? | Yes. Use the 380-1011 alarm switch end box, which is suitable for crossbar devices only. This switch can be used to trigger an alarm or shunt an alarm. |
| Does the Briton brand include any stainless steel panic or emergency hardware? | Briton has discontinued the electroplated stainless steel finish options. For stainless steel finishes, please see the Von Duprin 35A series and 98 series devices available from Relcross Door Controls. |
| Is Briton emergency and panic hardware suitable for outdoor use and swimming pool areas? | No. All Briton panic bars and Briton emergency push pads contain ferrous materials, which will eventually corrode. Corrosion may impair the device's operation, making it unsafe for use on external fire and life safety installations. |
| Can the Briton 1413/KE.SE outside access device be replaced with the Briton 1413/LE.SE outside access device? | Yes. Both Briton outside access devices are bolt-through and share the same footprint. |
| Is the Briton 1413 outside access device available with a night latch (key retention) function? | Yes. This is a standard function that can be set during installation. |
| Which Briton 1413 outside access device is most suitable for abusive situations? | Use the Briton 1413/KE.SE | Outside Access Device - Knob w. Euro Profile Cylinder |
| What size Euro profile cylinder is used in the Briton 1413 outside access device? | The Briton 1413 uses a 40mm half Euro profile cylinder, usually supplied with three keys. Specify the OG304.02.12.SD1. |
| Do the Briton 376 panic bolt and Briton 378 panic latch use the same dogging end box? | Yes, to include the dogging function, use the Briton 376/1021/SE dogging end box. Keep in mind, the dogging function is not allowed on fire doors. |
| What is the operational temperature range of the Briton 376 series panic hardware? | The entire range has been successfully tested over a temperature range of -10 °C to 60 °C. |
Briton Technical Specifications | |
| What is the minimum strength closer for use on a fire door? | All door closers fitted on fire-rated doors must deliver at least power size 3, meaning a closing torque of 18Nm at a point between 0° and 4° |
| I've installed a Briton 121 door closer, but it isn't easy to open the door. What can I do? | The Briton 121 door closer is an affordable option at the high end of power size 3, but it is less efficient than the Briton 2003V or Briton 2130B door closers when adjusted to the same power size, requiring more effort to open the door. For better efficiency, fit a Briton 2003V or Briton 2130B. Alternatively, when extra assistance is needed, consider a cam-action door closer from the Briton 2300 series. |
| My door slams when the windows are open, but struggles to close when the windows are shut. What's causing this, and what is the remedy? | Where air pressure differentials are present (for example, at stairwells and hospital theatre doors) and where doors open into relatively small spaces, you must consider combining several available options. These include: increasing the available spring power, installing closers at the minimum angle template setting and adding ventilation either on or immediately adjacent to doors. |
| My door closer keeps slamming the door shut, regardless of how I adjust the control valves. What can I do? | Check that the closer has been fitted according to the Briton door closer instructions. Check for the presence of hydraulic fluid on the door closer body – leakers must be replaced. If the door closer is very old, it may be suffering from piston wear and should be replaced. If the unit is under 10 years old, it is likely covered by the Briton 10-year mechanical warranty. |
| My Briton door closer closes the door quickly in the summer but slowly in the winter. What's causing this? | You probably have an old door closer that lacks the modern thermal constant fluid. Oil thickens in cold temperatures and becomes thinner in high temperatures. The closer should be replaced as soon as possible. |
| What voltage is the Briton 996 electromagnetic door closer? | 24 Volts DC – plus, or minus 10% Anything over 26 Volts DC may cause damage to the solenoid. |
| Can I convert a Briton 996/01 to a 66 application by buying the Fig 66 arm pack? | No, they are entirely separate units. The mechanism is not shared between the two different applications. |
| What is the maximum cable run for a Briton 996 series electromagnetic door closer? | A qualified electrician should calculate this, which depends on wire gauge, ambient temperatures, etc. We can offer general advice, but the installers must perform the final calculation. |
| What is the maximum opening angle provided by a Briton 996 series door closer? | 110° application 01, 95° application 61, 105° application 66. |
| My Briton 996 electromagnetic hold-open closer will not stay open. What's causing this? | In most cases, the cause is incorrect handing or poor installation. Very occasionally, the reason is a faulty solenoid. Check the installation carefully against the instruction sheets. There is a silver disc behind the magnet that should not be removable when voltage is applied. If the voltage is correct and the disc can be separated, this indicates a worn or faulty solenoid. The replacement solenoid, code 996/863/UF, is free only if the unit is under 2 years old. |
| What is the minimum clear opening door size I can use with my 996 closer? | Application 01 = 370mm, Application 61 = 540mm, Application 66 = 500mm |
| My Briton 996 door closer is hitting the door frame when opened past 90 degrees. Can I move it 25mm away from the hinge side to miss the door frame? | No, it's tested and approved in the position specified on the fixing instruction. Consider using a push side-mounted 9963/66 instead. |
| Do you offer an electromagnetic door closer or holder that can operate on AC alternating current? | No, all Briton electromagnetic hold-open door closers operate on 24-volt DC direct current. |
| The door closer arm is scraping the top of my door when it opens. What's causing this? | Ensure the Briton door closer is installed according to the template. The body may have been mounted too low on the door or at an angle. Another possible issue could be misuse, such as people swinging on it in schools or prisons, for instance, which can cause the arms to bend. In areas where abuse is common, consider using an LCN door closer from Relcross Door Controls. LCN door closers can be fitted with extra-duty forged steel arms to resist misuse. |
| My door closer is leaking hydraulic fluid. Can I top it up? | Never attempt to refill the door closer under any circumstances. There are high-pressure springs inside the unit that could cause serious injury if tampered with. |
| What is the maximum delay period achievable with the Briton 2720 series closer? | Approximately 40 seconds. The delayed action comes in at a minimum of 70° on the opening arc. |
| What is the maximum opening angle of the Briton 2320 cam action closer and the Briton 2321 cam action closer? | 180° in door-mounted applications, but 120° in transom-mounted applications. |
| I have a door 1500mm wide. Is there a Briton door closer that could accommodate this? | Some Briton door controls are designed to accommodate a maximum door width of 1400mm. Where doors exceed this figure, consider using the LCN 4040XP.US28 | Door Closer (4040), which is featured on this website. |
| How do I align the hand of the Briton 376 panic bolt with the hand of my Briton 1413 outside access device? | You must set the hand of the 1413 outside access device to match the hand of the Briton 376 panic bolt, which is fixed as far as the rotation of the follower is concerned. If you are in doubt, please call the sales office for assistance. |
Briton Brand - Warranty Information | |
| What warranty is extended to Briton mechanical overhead door closers? | 10 years (Mechanical) |
| What warranty is extended to Briton electromagnetic overhead door closers? | 10 years (Mechanical) and 2 years (Electrical) |