Door closing issues

[prostreetamx]

I installed an oversize people door between my new garage and existing house. I went with a fire rated (20 minute per code) 6 panel wood door that is wider than normal at 42". I did this for future easy access for wheelchairs and furniture such as refrigerators and couches that would not fit through my 3'x 8' tall entry door. I had the door custom made prehung with a full frame. It only came with 3 hinges, 2 of which are self closing. I added 2 more self closing hinges since the door is too heavy and was sagging from the upper hinge flexing. The door is now level and centered in the frame after reworking the hinge mounts but will not self close unless you let it swing from almost 90 degree open. I have the hinges adjusted about as much as I dare without breaking the springs but the door needs to self close for my final inspection. I had to lower the threshold trim and remove the weather striping to get it to work as good as it does now but I would like to know if there is a supplemental door closer ram or better self closing hinges out there in polished brass. I already have 3 different styles on the door now. The door company supplied 2 non matching ones.

 

[Toolfool]

First, top hinge on a heavy door should be properly shimmed and screwed through the jamb and into framing with at least one longer replacement screw. Oversize doors usually get four hinges, two self-closers for fire-rated. I use Bommer hinges, never had a problem in 32+ years, probably a few hundred Bommers.

 

[6768rogues]

Just so you know, and I realize that it is a technicality, but any field modifications to a fire rated door and frame assembly negate any fire rating for the entire assembly. Also, any parts such as hinges have to be listed. To regain its labeling, it needs to be checked and relabeled by an entity that is approved for rating assemblies.
I would go back to the people who made the door and have them come up with a solution and then recertify that the assembly is fire rated after the modifications. Custom doors are expensive as are fire rated doors, so I assume that the assembly did not come cheap. Fire ratings require the door to be self closing, and it does not perform properly. Fixing it should be up to the fabricator who built it and labeled it. A fix might be installing a closer as seen on commercial doors, but the holes necessary for the closer will ruin the fire rating unless the people who labeled it provide a new field label.
You spent the money for a properly rated door, so I assume that maintaining that fire rating is important to you.
There is a company in our area that fabricates and labels doors. If there is a problem with one, they send one of their people out to make it right even if they did not install it. They do not want their label affixed to a substandard door. I hope you bought from someone as reputable.

 

[DieselNut88]

Commercial door closer will do what you need.

 

[jef602]

this may sound wacked **** ,**** I have had air lock with large fire doors like 36 and up. open a window 1/2 inch and they slammed shut . has worked with inspectors I also try to keep them closed for a few days to help set weatherstrip

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Commercial door closer will do what you need.

See the post above yours...

Tommy

 

[prostreetamx]

https://goo.gl/images/rZXn1P
I was thinking about something like this where I would just use double stick to attach the slider to the door. This was an $800 door. Not sure what the code is about how far the door can be left open until it won't close by itself. I have it down to about 8" or 10" open before it won't work but if you open it enough to walk through, it works just fine.

 

[tcianci]

Be sure that the center lines of the hinges are all in line. You mentioned that you field installed additional hinges. If the center lines of the pins aren't aligned, it will create a binding condition and a good amount of the energy in the springs will be used to try to overcome the bind.

Even if this is not the case, you need to realize that when you open the door, you're putting energy into the springs. This is the energy that closes the door. Even with the hinges adjusted to the maximum preload, you need to put a lot of energy into those hinges to get them to do the job.

 

[kbs2244]

Check out jef602s advise on an air lock possibility.
To days houses are "tight"
You may have a close against air pressure problem, or even an against negative "sucking" air pressure problem.

 

[prostreetamx]

I put some 3 in 1 oil in the hinges and it seems to have helped so far.