Proper door closing speed is critical for both ADA accessibility compliance and fire safety. ADA requires doors to take at least 1.5 seconds to close from 70° open, while NFPA 80 requires fire doors to fully close and latch from any position. Hydraulic self-closing hinges allow precise adjustment of closing speed to meet both requirements simultaneously. This guide covers adjustment procedures, code requirements, and troubleshooting.
| ADA Closing Speed | ≥ 1.5 seconds from 70° to fully closed |
|---|---|
| ICC A117.1 Speed | ≥ 5 seconds from 90° to 12° open |
| NFPA 80 Requirement | Must close and latch from any open position |
| Adjustment Method | Hydraulic valve (on hydraulic/hybrid hinges) |
| Tools Needed | Flat-head screwdriver or Allen wrench (varies by model) |
| Adjustment Range | Typically 3–8 seconds full sweep |
| Backcheck | Resistance when door opens past ~75° (prevents wall damage) |
| Last Updated | 2026-02-27 |
Three major codes govern door closing speed in the United States. Understanding each helps specify the correct adjustment target for any project.
| Code / Standard | Requirement | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| ADA (2010 ADA Standards) | Door must take ≥ 1.5 seconds to close from 70° open to fully closed | All doors in places of public accommodation and commercial facilities |
| ICC A117.1 (2017) | Door must take ≥ 5 seconds from 90° open to 12° from closed | Accessible doors in buildings subject to IBC |
| NFPA 80 (Fire Doors) | Door must positively close and latch from any open position — no minimum speed, but it must actually close | All fire-rated door assemblies |
ADA demands slow enough closing for safe passage; NFPA 80 demands complete closing and latching every time. These requirements can appear contradictory, but hydraulic self-closing hinges handle both:
Hydraulic self-closing hinges contain a sealed cylinder filled with viscous fluid. As the door closes, a piston pushes fluid through a small internal passage. The size of that passage — controlled by an external adjustment screw — determines how fast the door can close.
| Application | Recommended Speed | Code Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| ADA-accessible interior door | 5–7 seconds (90° to latch) | ≥ 1.5 s from 70° (ADA) / ≥ 5 s from 90° to 12° (ICC A117.1) |
| Fire-rated door (no ADA) | 5–7 seconds | Must positively close and latch (NFPA 80); no speed minimum |
| High-traffic commercial (non-ADA) | 3–5 seconds | Per local code; faster closing reduces hold-open time |
| Hospital patient room | 6–8 seconds | ADA + quiet/slow closing for patient comfort |
| Exterior door | 3–5 seconds | Per local code; adjust for prevailing wind load conditions |
Backcheck is hydraulic resistance built into the hinge that activates when the door swings past a set angle — typically 75°–80° open. It slows the door's opening motion abruptly, preventing the door from flying open and striking an adjacent wall, corridor fixture, or equipment. Without backcheck, a door pushed open forcefully can damage the wall, dent the hinge leaves, or injure someone standing nearby.
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Door slams shut | Closing speed too fast (orifice too open) | Turn adjustment screw clockwise to slow closing; aim for 5–7 seconds |
| Door does not latch reliably | Closing speed too slow, or latch alignment problem | Increase speed slightly (counter-clockwise); also check latch bolt alignment with strike plate |
| Closing speed changes with seasons | Hydraulic fluid viscosity changes with temperature | Re-adjust screw seasonally; consider a model with thermally compensated fluid for critical applications |
| Inconsistent closing from different open angles | Hinge wear, debris in fluid path, or internal seal degradation | Clean hinge barrel exterior; if problem persists, replace hinge — hydraulic components are not field-serviceable |
| Door creeps open after closing | Insufficient spring tension or hinge not returning to zero | Check that hinge spring tension is set correctly; hydraulic adjustment does not affect spring preload |
| Adjustment screw has no effect | Screw is at maximum/minimum stop, or internal seal failure | Count turns from stop to stop; if less than 2 turns of travel, inspect for seal wear; replace if needed |
| Closing Device | Speed Adjustable | Backcheck | ADA Tunable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydraulic Self-Closing Hinge | Yes | Yes (some models) | Yes |
| Spring Hinge | No (tension only — affects force, not speed) | No | Difficult |
| Surface-Mounted Door Closer | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Floor Spring (Floor Pivot Closer) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Q: How do I adjust the closing speed on a self-closing hinge?
Locate the hydraulic adjustment screw on the hinge barrel — usually a small flat-head slot or Allen socket. Turn clockwise to slow closing, counter-clockwise to speed it up. Make quarter-turn adjustments, time the door from 90° each time, and repeat until the sweep takes 5–7 seconds for ADA-compliant doors. Always verify positive latching from multiple angles after adjusting.
Q: What is the correct closing speed for ADA compliance?
The ADA 2010 Standards require the door to take at least 1.5 seconds to move from 70° open to fully closed. ICC A117.1 (2017) — which is adopted by reference in the IBC — requires at least 5 seconds from 90° to 12° from closed. In practice, a setting of 5–7 seconds from 90° comfortably satisfies both requirements and provides a comfortable user experience.
Q: Why does my door closing speed change with the weather?
Hydraulic fluid becomes thicker (more viscous) in cold temperatures and thinner in heat. A door that closes in 6 seconds during summer air conditioning may close in 4 seconds during a warm day or slow to 9 seconds in a cold entryway in winter. For exterior doors or doors in unconditioned spaces, re-check and re-adjust closing speed seasonally. Some premium hydraulic hinges use temperature-compensated fluid to minimize this effect.
Q: What is backcheck on a door closer or hinge?
Backcheck is a hydraulic cushioning feature that engages when the door is opened past a threshold angle — typically 70°–80°. It creates resistance that slows the door before it reaches its mechanical stop, preventing impact damage to walls, frames, and adjacent fixtures. Backcheck is adjustable on most hydraulic closing devices and should be set so the door slows noticeably but can still be opened fully without excessive force.
Q: Can spring hinges be adjusted for closing speed?
Not in a meaningful way. Spring hinges can be tensioned (adjusted for closing force) using the tension pin slots on the barrel, but they have no hydraulic damping. Changing spring tension affects how hard the door closes, not how fast it sweeps. A heavily tensioned spring hinge may actually close faster and with more impact than a lighter setting. For true speed control and ADA compliance, hydraulic or hybrid (spring + hydraulic) self-closing hinges are required.
Q: How often should closing speed be checked?
For fire-rated doors, NFPA 80 requires an annual inspection that includes verifying the door closes and latches from any open position. ADA closing speed should be checked whenever a door receives a complaint, after any hardware service, and seasonally for exterior or unconditioned-space doors. High-traffic doors — particularly in healthcare, education, and hospitality — benefit from a quarterly check to catch drift before it becomes a compliance issue.
Waterson hydraulic hinges — fully adjustable closing speed and backcheck