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A door coordinator is a critical piece of hardware, primarily used on pairs of doors, designed to ensure that the doors close in the correct sequence. This sequential closing is essential for proper latching, sealing, and functionality, especially on fire-rated or weather-sealed doors.
Understanding the Need for Door Coordination
On many double door configurations, one door leaf, often called the "active" door, overlaps or seals against the other, known as the "passive" door. This setup, frequently involving astragals (mouldings attached to the edge of one or both doors), requires the passive door to close first. If the active door closes before the passive door, the doors won't close properly, potentially compromising fire resistance, security, or weather protection.
A door coordinator solves this by controlling which door closes first.
How a Door Coordinator Works: The Mechanism
Based on the mechanism described, a door coordinator operates by temporarily holding one door open until the other door closes. Here's the sequence:
- Holding the Passive Door: The coordinator includes a body holding the door. This body, often part of a bar or channel mounted above the doors, engages with the "passive" door, keeping it slightly ajar or delayed in its closing process.
- Active Door Initiates Closure: The "active" door, designated as the first closing door, begins its closing cycle.
- Interaction and Release: As the first closing door shuts, an angle on the door (typically a strike plate, roller, or ramp mounted on the active door or its frame) makes contact with the coordinator's body or a component connected to it.
- Lifting the Body: This interaction causes the angle on the door lifts the body of the coordinator. This lifting action disengages the mechanism holding the passive door.
- Passive Door Closes First: With the body lifted and the hold released, the passive door is free to close.
- Active Door Closes Last: After the passive door has closed and is in place, the active door continues its closing motion and seals or latches against the now-closed passive door.
This process ensures that the passive door is always closed before the active door, maintaining the integrity of the door opening.
Components of a Door Coordinator
While designs vary, common components include:
- Coordinator Body/Bar: The main assembly mounted above the doors.
- Hold-Open Mechanism: The part that interacts with the passive door (e.g., a roller, arm, or trigger).
- Strike Plate or Roller: Mounted on the active door or frame, this is the angle on the door that interacts with and lifts the body of the coordinator.
Practical Applications
Door coordinators are commonly found on:
- Fire Doors: Ensuring proper sequence is vital for maintaining the fire barrier.
- Exterior Double Doors: Helps ensure a proper weather seal.
- Doors with Astragals: Necessary for doors with overlapping edges.
By managing the closing sequence, a door coordinator plays a crucial role in the overall safety, security, and performance of double door systems.
