How do you adjust a door closer?

How to:  What are the steps to adjust a door closer?

Facts: All LCN and FALCON door closers will have 3 regulating valves and a spring adjustment.  All closers with a "Delay" feature will have an additional 4th valve.  For specific instructions on your closer see Installation Instructions here.

Resolution:  Make adjustments below as required.

• Back Check Valve, (valve #1 as specified in instructions) controls the back check intensity (3/32 allen wrench). Back check is used to slow the door down if someone throws the door open, or if the wind were to catch the door, and blow it open. Back check is used to slow the door down, not to stop the door. If you have a windy environment, or abusive people, (prisons, schools, colleges etc.) you may want to set the back check a little stiffer than you would on a retirement home, hospital doors, day care, etc. Turning the valve clockwise will give you a stiffer back check. Turning the valve counter clockwise will give you a lighter backcheck. If the door must be stopped at a certain position, then a Cush arm can be used, or for more abusive applications, an overhead stop can be used.

• Main Speed Valve, (valve #2 as specified in instructions) controls the main closing speed of the door (3/32 allen wrench). The main speed is the area from the door in the wide open position down to the last 15°, or so, before the latch. Turning the valve clockwise will make the door close slower. Turning the valve counter clockwise will cause the door to close faster.

• Latch Speed Valve, (valve #3 as specified in instructions) controls the latch speed of the door (3/32 allen wrench). The latch speed is the last 15°, or so, of closing. Turning the valve clockwise will cause the door to latch slower, and more gently. Turning the valve counter clockwise will cause the door to latch faster, and more abruptly.

• Delayed Action Valve, controls delay time, on closers so equipped (3/32 allen wrench or flat blade screw driver - depending on closer series and age).  For closers installed to 90° template-- when the door is opened past approximately 70°, the closer will delay closing until it comes back to around 70°.  Turning the valve clockwise will cause the closer to delay longer (up to approximately 50 seconds). Turning the valve counterclockwise will cause the closer to delay for a shorter time (down to no delay).  Please note that the position that the delay will kick in is dependent upon what degree of opening the closer is installed too.  For example, closer installed to 180° template, delayed action will kick in only after the door is opened past approximately 95° and is available from approximately 120° to 90° position compared to if the closer was installed to 90° template then it would kick in when the is opened past approximately 70° and be available from 90° back down to approximately 70°.  Also, the Closer Spring Force can affect how much delay time can be achieved.  The weaker the closer spring force the more delay you can achieve, where as the stronger the closer spring force the less delay time you will have.  Closers set to a 5 or 6 spring size will have minimal to no delay time because of the stronger closing force. NOTE: During Delayed Action cycle, the door does not stay in one set spot for the delay time, it will still be in motion during the delay zone based on the delay setting.  

• Spring Adjustment, is located on the end of the spring tube (5/32 allen wrench). It is used to adjust the spring strength (force to close the door). Clockwise gives the closer more closing power (which also makes the door harder to open), and turning the screw counter clockwise, will give the door less closing strength (and makes the door easier to open).