ChooSING A PIVOT HINGE

Pivot doors seem to be growing a strong following among designers of modern architecture as an solution for openings throughout their projects. Along with the expected growth in the incidence and monumental size of pivot entry doors, pivots are being deployed on doors throughout projects, not just at the front door.

With this growth has come an increase in calls from our clients for help not only in specifying the right pivot hinge but in all the other hardware that goes along with these openings.

There are so many advantages to using a pivot hinge vs. standard butt or concealed hinges. There are just as many things to keep in mind when specifying the pivot. This page just deals with one kind of pivot hinge, the pivot hinge with a closer function.

We will eventually add links to other kinds of pivots hinges and related hardware. For now we want to put forward the arguments for three common solutions for larger pivot doors.

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Rixson H40 set

Heavy-Duty Dual-Acting pivot w closer

set includes :

  • Rixson H40 Closer Body

  • Cement Case

  • End Load Bottom Arm

  • Floor Cover Plate

  • H340 Top Pivot

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Dormakaba BTS80 set

Heavy-Duty Dual-Acting pivot w closer

set includes :

  • BTS80 Closer Body

  • Cement Case

  • 7421 Bottom Arm

  • 8062 Bottom Arm

  • 74010 Spindle

  • 7410 Cover Plate

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FritsJurgens® System M

Heavy-Duty Dual-Acting pivot w closer

set includes :

  • System M bottom pivot/closer

  • Floor plate

  • Top pivot

  • Ceiling plate


WHICH SOLUTION IS MOST ECONOMICAL?

The answer is pretty clear if you have ever dealt with a traditional floor closer. Anyone who has will immediately see the efficiencies offered by this new approach. Because System M is in the door, it doesn’t require coordination or prep of a closer in the floor. We’ve spoken with installers to try and get some accurate numbers for the real costs of all the different steps. We address first just the cost of the hardware.

RIXSON LIST PRICE : $1895

This is the price for the E model, the highest capacity

DORMA LIST PRICE : $1523

This is the price for the E model, the highest capacity

SYSTEM M LIST PRICE : $1385-$1850

This is the price for the model E, the highest capacity system.

COST TO INSTALL :

This is where the difference between the IN-FLOOR closer solution and the IN-DOOR closer solution carry very different costs.

It’s all in the door. Come in after all the other surfaces are complete.

It’s all in the door. Come in after all the other surfaces are complete.

typical floor closer prep. woe to them who need to move that pivot point.

typical floor closer prep. woe to them who need to move that pivot point.

Our un-scientific survey of installers and building owners puts the cost of installing an in-floor closer (outside of hardware cost) between $1000-$1300 per opening. Including prep of the leave-out, pouring and curing of the cement around the cement case, and clean-up. This doesn’t include any time an architect might need to design a way to avoid that coverplate mussing up their design: more billable hours.

If you have any stories or data points for our survey, please email us : info@index-d.com


FEATURES

RIXSON H40 FEATURES :

CAPACITY : 1000 lbs.

Rixson like Dormakaba has other models for different door weights at different price points. Our exercise here is to look at the highest capacity models for the three manufacturers because this is where we find we are getting the most questions from specifiers.

DORMA BTS80 FEATURES :

CAPACITY : 660 lbs.

Dorma also has other models for lower weight doors at a lower cost. Other pivot models get you up to 1000 lbs without the closer function.

FRITSJURGENS® SYSTEM M FEATURES :

CAPACITY : 1100 lbs.*

The asterisk is there to say that, though FritsJurgens® gives its three pivot hinge systems a common max load capacity of 1100 lbs, that just covers the ability of the hinge to swing the door.

The System M tops out around 660lbs. if you want the closer to do its job at the peak of performance.

FritsJurgens offers FIVE models of the System M (models A through E), each with its own range of closing speed adjustments which is determined by the weight and geometry of the door and location of the pivot. Their standard configuration chart provides a quick way to see if your door can be swung.

If there is any question, they can test your particular door’s specs in their lab and confirm closing speed for a specific situation.


RIXSON ADJUSTABILITY :

CLOSING SPEED : YES

Rixson H40 offers adjustable closing speed valves for each direction of door swing. Adjustable from screws under the coverplate and door can be adjusted while closer is loaded.

DORMA ADJUSTABILITY :

CLOSING SPEED : YES

Dorma offers two separate speed controls :

1. Closing speed from max opening angle 175° to the 70° position.

2. Closing speed from 70° to 0°

Adjustments can happen while closer is loaded. Coverplate must be removed.

3 different spring strength options.

SYSTEM M ADJUSTABILITY :

CLOSING SPEED : YES

Each of the five System M models can be adjusted to close faster or slower via an adjustment screw accessed under the door while fully loaded.

5 different strength models

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RIXSON : LATCHING SPEED : NO

BACKCHECK ADJUSTMENT : NO

FIELD CENTERING : NO

Not recommended for double doors

ADA Compliant Models : YES

DORMA : LATCHING SPEED : YES (fire-rated model only)

BACKCHECK ADJUSTMENT : NO

mechanical backcheck starts at 70°

FIELD CENTERING : NO

Not recommended for double doors

lateral and longitudinal adjustment of 1/4"

ADA Compliant Models : YES

SYSTEM M : LATCHING SPEED : NO

BACKCHECK ADJUSTMENT : Backcheck force is proportional to the closing speed setting and is progressive both as the door swings from 75° to 90° and as it swings from 15° to 0°.

FIELD CENTERING : YES, ±5°

TOP PIVOT allows for longitudinal adjustment of ±1/4”

ADA Compliant Models : YES


RIXSON :

MAX OPEN° : ±103°

HOLD OPEN : ±90°/±100°

Non-Hold open model available.

DORMA :

MAX OPEN° : ±175°

HOLD OPEN : YES

Selectable Multi-Point hold open from ±75° to ±175°

Non-Hold Open model available for fire-rated doors.

SYSTEM M :

MAX OPEN° : ±125°

HOLD OPEN : ±90°

Non-Hold open model in development.


MEASUREMENTS & DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

Rixson H40 set

MINIMUM THICKNESS : 2”

  • for 1-3/4” door use Model 587

MAXIMUM DOOR WIDTH :

4’-6” (interior) / 4’-0” (exterior)

MAXIMUM DOOR HEIGHT : 8’-6”

higher doors require an separate top pivot (Model H345) adding to total system cost

MIN. PIVOT OFFSET : 2-3/4”

with a 1/8” gap at jamb, radiused edge

Dormakaba BTS80 set

MINIMUM THICKNESS : 1-3/4”

MAXIMUM DOOR WIDTH :

4’-6” (interior) / 4’-0” (exterior)

MAXIMUM DOOR HEIGHT : 8’-6”

MIN. PIVOT OFFSET : 2-3/4”

with a 1/8” gap at jamb, radiused edge

FritsJurgens® System M

MINIMUM THICKNESS : 1-9/16”

MAXIMUM DOOR WIDTH : 8’-7”

depending on placement of the pivot

MAXIMUM DOOR HEIGHT : none

MIN. PIVOT OFFSET : 3-9/16”

with a 1/8” gap at jamb, square edge


INSTALLATION

Here’s a clear depiction of the difference between the in-floor approach and the in-door approach. System M allows for quick installation of pivot doors AFTER all the finish surfaces are completed. No waiting around for cement to dry. Also :

NO Jackhammers cutting in a leave out.

NO Building owners needing to be consulted for slab violation.

NO collision problems with radiant floor systems

NO Terrazzo Pans other cosmetic moves to hide the closer.

DEPTH :
In the floor : 4-1/16”

In the ceiling : 1-7/16”

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DEPTH :
In the floor : 2-3/8”

In the ceiling : 1-5/8”

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DEPTH :
In the floor : 5/16” (just two small posts that secure the floor plate into the floor)

In the ceiling : 1/2”


CONCLUSION : From the standpoint of performance, there really isn’t much difference between the Dorma and System M pivots. However, the advantages gained by not having to deal with the closer in the floor can be substantial. The FritsJurgens® option removes the headaches and costs associated with a closer in the floor, as well as the aesthetic impacts of that closer cover. From the standpoint of cost, the efficiencies gained from its unique approach make the System M an economical option even for lower weight doors where the models available from the other two manufacturers are somewhat less expensive off the shelf. For most designers and installers, the choice is pretty clear. Time is money. Labor is money. Closer covers are ugly.

There is no denying the advantage of having everything in the door.

For more information about specifying pivots and closers please call us : +1-877-777-0592