Calibre Door Closers CA5501 Standard Arm Surface Mount Door Closer SC81
Features:
- Complies with ANSI A156.4 Grade 1
- Barrier free Operation to comply with Federal Accessibility Standards (ADA) and ANSI A117.1
- Underwriters' Laboratories Inc. Listed. Listed for UL10C and certified to conform to UBC 7.2 (1997) BS476 for Fire Safety.
- ADA (Handicap) multi-sized closer with adjustable spring tension for a range of sizes after installation:
- Closer Functions
- CA5501: 8-1/2lb Opening Force to size 5. Adjustable spring power with fully adjustable Back-Check controlled by a separate regulating valve, adjustable after installation.
- CA5502: 5lb Opening force to size 4. Adjustable spring power with Delayed Closing action controlled by a separate regulating valve, adjustable after installation.
- CA5503: 5lb Opening force to size 4. Adjustable spring power only.
Closer Overview:
| Description | Size With Cover | Size Without Cover |
|---|---|---|
| Length of Closer | 13" | 12-11/16" |
| Horizontal Mounting Holes | 12" | 12" |
| Vertical Mounting Holes | 3/4" | 3/4" |
| Overall Height | 5-1/8" | 5-1/16" |
| Top of Door to Bottom of Closer | 3-1/2" | 3-7/16" |
| Height of Closer | 3" | 2-7/8" |
| Projection from Door | 2-5/16" | 2-3/16" |
Resources
Manufacturer Resources
Product Specs
- Subcategory:
- Surface Mounted Closers
- Series:
- CA5500 Series
- Product Group:
- Door Controls
- Product Subgroup:
- Door Closers - Surface Mounted
- Product Type:
- Surface Mounted Door Closers
- Commercial/Residential:
- Commercial
- Grade:
- Grade 1
- Product Model:
- CA5501
- Door Hand Direction:
- Non-Handed
- Door Opening Size:
- 100° to 180°
- Product Category:
- Door Controls
- Department:
- Door Hardware
Calibre Door Closers CA5501AL – Frequently Asked Questions
1) Does the Calibre CA5501 door closer meet ADA opening force requirements?
Yes. The CA5501 is a barrier free closer rated at 8-1/2 lb opening force up to size 5, and it complies with Federal Accessibility Standards (ADA) and ANSI A117.1. Spring power is adjustable after installation, so you can dial the force down on an interior opening where a facility inspector is checking push force, then bring it up on a heavier exterior leaf.
2) Do I need to order a left hand or right hand version of the CA5501 closer?
No handing to specify. The CA5501 is non-handed, so one unit works on a left or right swinging door. That is the reason property managers standardize on it across a building; you stock one part number instead of two.
3) What is the difference between the CA5501, CA5502 and CA5503 door closers?
All three are CA5500 Series surface closers with adjustable spring power, but the valving differs. CA5501 gives 8-1/2 lb opening force to size 5 and adds fully adjustable back-check on a separate regulating valve, which is what protects the door and the closer arm on a windy exterior opening. CA5502 is 5 lb opening force to size 4 with delayed closing on a separate valve, for openings where people need extra time to pass through. CA5503 is 5 lb to size 4 with adjustable spring power only, no extra valve. Pick the CA5501 when you need spring strength beyond size 4 or you need back-check.
4) Will the CA5501 mount over existing closer holes in my door?
The CA5501 uses a 12 inch horizontal mounting hole pattern with 3/4 inch vertical spacing, the same figures with or without the cover. Compare that to the holes already drilled in your door or frame. If they line up you can reuse them; if not, plan on a drop plate or new prep. The 12 inch pattern is what you measure center to center across the body.
5) Is the CA5501 rated for high traffic commercial openings?
It complies with ANSI A156.4 Grade 1, the top grade in the closer standard, and it is a commercial product rather than a residential one. Grade 1 is what most institutional and government specs call for on entrance and corridor doors.
6) Can I substitute a Grade 2 closer for the Calibre CA5501 on a fire rated door?
Not if the opening is fire rated. The Calibre CA5501 complies with ANSI A156.4 Grade 1 and is UL listed for UL10C, certified to conform to UBC 7.2 (1997) and BS476 for fire safety. The Cal-Royal 400 Series is a Grade 2 commercial hydraulic closer, a lower ANSI grade, so it is not a like for like swap where the drawing calls for Grade 1. Grade 1 alternatives include the Corbin Russwin DC3200 regular arm surface closer and the Sargent 1131.
7) What is the closest Grade 1 barrier free surface closer to the Calibre CA5501 with adjustable back-check?
The Calibre CA5501 is a Grade 1 surface mounted door closer with adjustable spring power and a separately regulated, fully adjustable back-check valve, meeting ADA barrier free requirements. The Cal-Royal 500S is the nearest match in intent: it is a Grade 1 barrier free door closer with adjustable back-check. The Cal-Royal N900PBF is another Grade 1 barrier free hydraulic surface closer in the 900 Door Closer Series if you want a different body. All three are surface mounted units for commercial openings.
8) I need hold open instead of the Calibre CA5501 standard arm. What should I order?
The Calibre CA5501 uses a standard non-hold-open arm. For a hold open opening, the Accentra 51 Series closer comes with a tri-packed hold open arm and adjustable sizes 1 through 6, and the Orca Hardware BHDC1958HO/PA is a hold open door closer supplied with a parallel bracket for doors 1-3/4 inch thick. The Stanley Security A45-501HL is a long hold open arm closer set up for top jamb mounting.
9) The CA5501 is a back-check model. What do I use if I need delayed action on the same opening?
Within the Calibre CA5500 Series, the CA5502 carries the delayed closing action on a separate regulating valve, while the CA5501 puts its separate valve on back-check. If you are cross-shopping brands, the Orca Hardware BHDC1958DA/PA is a delayed action closer with a regular arm and parallel bracket for 1-3/4 inch doors, and the BHDC2011DA/PA is the same delayed action function in the BHDC2011 body.
10) Is there a heavier duty alternative to the Calibre CA5501 for a high traffic exterior entrance?
The Calibre CA5501 is a Grade 1 multi-size closer adjustable to size 5 at 8-1/2 lb opening force. For heavier traffic, the BEST EHD9000 Series is an extra heavy-duty Grade 1 closer with adjustable spring sizes 1 through 6, the Sargent 1431 Powerglide is a heavy-duty Grade 1 surface closer with adjustable spring power, and the LCN 1460T is a heavy duty Grade 1 commercial surface closer. Norton Rixson 1600BC is a heavy duty Grade 1 unit built for aluminum storefront entrances.
11) Does the Calibre CA5501 support parallel arm or top jamb mounting like a tri-pack closer?
The Calibre CA5501 is furnished as a standard arm closer and is non-handed. When the opening needs the arm configured for parallel or top jamb mounting out of one carton, tri-mount closers cover that: the Dexter DCH1000 Series is a Grade 1 tri mount closer for regular, parallel or top jamb mounting with a full cover, the Dexter DCH4000 Series is the same tri mount arrangement, and the Norton Rixson 8501A is a Grade 1 tri-mount closer with adjustable size 1 to 6 spring.
12) My spec calls for a slide track or flat arm closer. Will the Calibre CA5501 work?
No. The Calibre CA5501 is a standard arm surface closer, so it will not satisfy a slide track or flat arm callout. For a track arm, the Corbin Russwin DC5230 is a Grade 1 surface closer with slide track arm standard for pull side mounting on 1-3/4 inch doors, and the Dorma 8916-JT is a Grade 1 jamb track closer for frame face pull side mounting, adjustable size 1 to 6. For a flat arm, the Dormakaba 8616 AF86P is a Grade 1 closer with a flat non-hold-open arm in tri-pack.
13) Is the Falcon SC81A the same closer as the Calibre CA5501 SC81?
They are not the same part. The Calibre CA5501 is a Grade 1 standard arm surface mount closer in the CA5500 Series with adjustable spring power to size 5 and adjustable back-check. The Falcon SC81A is a medium duty Grade 1 cast aluminum surface mount closer in the SC80A Series. Falcon also offers the SC71A as a heavy-duty Grade 1 unit and the SC61A as light to medium duty Grade 1, so confirm which body the spec names before ordering.
14) Which comparable closers reach spring size 6 when the Calibre CA5501 tops out at size 5?
The Calibre CA5501 adjusts to size 5 at 8-1/2 lb opening force. Where a wide or heavy leaf needs more power, the Arrow DCN325 adjusts over spring size 1 to 6, the Accentra 2701 Series offers adjustable spring sizes 1 through 6 with tri-pack mounting, the Norton Rixson 8501A is a Grade 1 tri-mount closer with a size 1 to 6 spring, and the Imperial USA TC4300 Series is a heavy duty size 1 to 6 ADA closer.
15) How much room does the CA5501 closer take up on the door, and how far does it project?
With the cover on, the CA5501 body measures 13 inches long, 3 inches high and projects 2-5/16 inches from the door face. Without the cover it is 12-11/16 long, 2-7/8 high and projects 2-3/16 inches. Overall height including the arm is 5-1/8 inches with the cover. The top of the door to the bottom of the closer is 3-1/2 inches with cover, 3-7/16 without. Check that projection against any adjacent wall return or a door that opens back against a corridor wall.
16) How far will the door open with a Calibre CA5501 installed?
The CA5501 handles a door opening range of 100 to 180 degrees. Actual swing on your opening is limited by whatever the door hits first, a wall, an adjacent leaf, or a stop, so set a stop before relying on the full 180.
17) What other Grade 1 surface door closers could I use instead of the Calibre CA5501?
Several Grade 1 surface closers cover the same ground. The Cal-Royal 500S is also a barrier free Grade 1 closer with adjustable back-check, which is the closest match on function. The Falcon SC81A is a Grade 1 medium duty cast aluminum surface closer. If the opening is heavier traffic, the BEST HD8000 and EHD9000 Series are Grade 1 heavy duty, and the Sargent 1431 Powerglide is a Grade 1 heavy duty surface closer with adjustable spring power. Going the other way, the Cal-Royal 400 Series is Grade 2, a step below the Calibre on the standard.
18) I need a hold open closer. Is the CA5501 the right choice?
No. The CA5501 is a standard arm closer with back-check, not a hold open arm. For hold open, look at the Accentra 51 Series, which is a tri-packed hold open arm closer adjustable size 1 to 6, or the Orca BHDC1958 hold open version with parallel bracket. Keep in mind hold open arms are not appropriate on labeled fire doors unless the hold open releases on alarm.
19) Can I adjust the spring size on the CA5501 after it is already hung on the door?
Yes, and that is the point of the design. The CA5501 is a multi-sized closer with adjustable spring tension covering a range of door sizes, and the back-check runs off a separate regulating valve that is also adjustable after installation. So one unit can be tuned on site for a light interior door or a wider exterior leaf up to size 5, instead of ordering a fixed-size closer per opening.
20) The Calibre CA5501 has a cover. Which comparable closers ship without one?
The Calibre CA5501 is dimensioned both with and without its cover, at 13 inches long with the cover and 12-11/16 inches without. If you want a closer supplied less cover, the Arrow DCN314 is a Grade 1 surface closer less cover with regular and parallel arm tri-pack and adjustable spring size 1 to 4, and the Arrow DCN325 is the same less cover configuration with spring size 1 to 6. The Design Hardware 316 Series is supplied with a cover if you prefer the concealed look.
21) I need the closer to match an aluminum storefront in a dark bronze. What are my options besides the Calibre CA5501?
The Calibre CA5501 is offered in AL aluminum and DU storefront bronze, which is the usual pairing for glass front entrances. If you want a different body on the same kind of opening, the Norton Rixson 1600BC Series is a heavy duty Grade 1 closer built for aluminum storefront doors with tri-style mounting, and the Sargent 1331 is a Grade 1 medium duty closer with a universal aluminum body.
22) We are standardizing a portfolio on one closer. How does the Calibre CA5501 line up against a series that spans light through heavy duty?
The Calibre CA5500 Series covers three functions from one body: the CA5501 with back-check to size 5, the CA5502 with delayed closing to size 4, and the CA5503 with adjustable spring power only to size 4, all non-handed. If you would rather standardize across duty levels inside one brand, BEST offers the SL6000 light duty, HD7000 medium duty, HD8000 heavy duty and EHD9000 extra heavy-duty, all Grade 1, and Design Hardware offers the 316 Series at medium to heavy duty alongside the 116 and 416 Series heavy duty closers.
23) What finishes does the Calibre CA5501 come in?
Two: AL aluminum and DU storefront bronze. Those are the two colors that match most commercial aluminum entrances, so on a storefront job you pick the one that matches the frame extrusion and door rails already on the building.
24) A drop plate is listed with some of these closers. Does that apply to the Calibre CA5501?
A drop plate is a mounting accessory, not a closer. The Arrow DCN500DP parallel drop plate, for example, is made specifically for the Arrow DCN500 and is not a substitute for a closer body. The Calibre CA5501 itself is the surface mounted closer with a standard arm and a 12 inch horizontal by 3/4 inch vertical mounting hole pattern, so confirm your frame or door face condition against those hole centers before adding any bracketry.
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Absolutely. The Calibre Door Closers CA5501AL is backed by a manufacturer’s warranty.
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