What are the requirements for the use of door closers in the United States?

In the United States, the standard for the use of door closers depends on the location of the building. The building codes of each area are slightly different, and the federal, state, and even local building codes of each place will have an impact on determining the required door closers. Generally, each door closer needs to meet different levels of performance, divided into 3 levels, of which 1 is the highest level and 3 is the basic level. Performance is judged by the cycle test as well as the closing force and completion test. The tests were performed in a neutral atmospheric pressure laboratory at 60-85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Door closers have the following requirements:

Level 1: 2,000,000 cycles at 60% efficiency
Level 2: 1,000,000 cycles at 60% efficiency
Level 3: 500,000 cycles at 50% efficiency

If the door is being installed in a high volume area like a large office building or shopping mall, it is critical to only use door closers that have been rated as Class 1 door closers.

The Americans with Disabilities Act also provides a clear list of requirements when looking at doors and door closers, where the ADA states that interior doors should require no more than 5 pounds of force to operate the door and exterior doors should have the minimum force possible, The ADA also states that the closing or swinging speed should not exceed 5 seconds, and the locking speed should be fast enough to lock the door, but not slam it.