DORMA 8956 Series Surface Clos...
IN STOCK (leaves warehouse same day if ordered before 3pm ET)
$827.00
$421.65
Dormakaba DORMA 8956 Series Surface Closer, PH-Plunger Hold Open Reg/TJ, 0" To 1-1/2" Reveal, Adjustable Size 5-6 DOR-8956-PH

DORMA 8956 Series Surface Closer, PH-Plunger Hold Open Reg/TJ, 0" To 1-1/2" Reveal, Adjustable Size 5-6

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Model: 8956-PH-FC-SN1-689
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DORMA 8956 Series door closer

Heavy-Duty Surface Applied Door Closer

The 8900 door closer series designed to provide a highly flexible door control system suitable for institutional or high-traffic commercial applications. Its hydraulic control system features a full range spring power adjustment and backcheck, along with a narrow projection full cover and flatform style arm.

Door closer ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 certified.

  • Long term performance
  • Adjustable spring sizes and power
  • Meets barrier-free requirements
  • Adjustable backcheck
  • Backed by 25 year warranty

Product details

Features

Controlled opening with backcheck feature

The 8900 Series hydraulic backcheck feature protects doors and their adjacent structures. It’s valve adjustment regulates backcheck intensity. In addition, a backcheck positioning adjustment for parallel arm applications provides a consistent range similar to regular and top jamb applications.

Long term performance

The 8900 Series heavy-duty, 10 million cycle closers represent the latest in door control technology, combining over a quarter century of proven performance with its hydraulic control system and modern architecturally styled aesthetics. It results in the perfect combination of durability, reliability, and appearance.

Barrier-free

The 8900 Series, with the fully adjustable spring, also meets barrier-free accessibility requirements.

Product downloads

Architectural documentsInstruction sheetsTechnical BrochureTechnical drawings CAD PDF

Manufacturer Resources

Product Specs

Product Group:
Door Controls
Series:
8900 Series
Grade:
Grade 1
Duty Level:
Heavy Duty
ADA Compliant:
Yes
Warranty:
25 Year
Closer Size:
5 to 6
Product Subgroup:
Door Closers - Surface Mounted
Product Type:
Surface Mounted Door Closers
Subcategory:
Surface Mounted Closers
Door Weight:
180
Endurance Cycles:
10,000,000
Fasteners:
Sex Nuts for 1-3/4" Door
Commercial/Residential:
Commercial
Product Model:
8956
Product Function:
PH-Plunger Hold Open Reg/TJ
Door Hand Direction:
Non-Handed
Product Size:
48"
Product Category:
Door Controls
Product Substrate:
Aluminum
Department:
Door Hardware

Dormakaba 8956-PH-FC-SN1-689 – Frequently Asked Questions

1) What does the PH plunger hold open function on the DORMA 8956 actually do?
The PH arm has a plunger in the arm assembly that catches and holds the door open at the set point, then releases when you pull the door past it. On the 8956 it is set up for regular arm and top jamb mounting, so the hold open works on the pull side or on the frame face, not as a parallel arm application.
2) Do I need to order a left hand or right hand DORMA 8956?
No handing to specify. The 8956 is non-handed, so one closer covers either swing. What you do need to settle is the mount, since the PH plunger hold open arm is built for regular arm or top jamb applications.
3) Does the DORMA 8956 come with mounting fasteners, and what door thickness are they for?
Sex nuts sized for a 1-3/4 inch door ship with the closer. That is standard commercial door thickness, so on a typical hollow metal or wood commercial leaf you are set. On a thicker or thinner door you will need through-bolts of the correct length.
4) Will the DORMA 8956 meet ADA opening force on an accessible entrance?
Yes. The 8956 is ADA compliant and the 8900 Series spring is fully adjustable to meet barrier-free requirements, so you can dial the power down to the opening force the inspector wants and still have the size 5 to 6 range available if the door needs it later.
5) I need a hold open closer but mine has to mount parallel arm. Is the 8956 PH the right one?
No. The PH plunger hold open on the 8956 is specified for regular arm and top jamb applications. If the opening has to be parallel arm with hold open, look at the Orca BHDC1958 hold open closer, which comes with a parallel bracket, or the Accentra 51 Series tri-packed hold open arm, which includes parallel among its mount options.
6) What is the closest heavy duty Grade 1 equivalent to the DORMA 8956 surface closer from another brand?
The DORMA 8956 is a Grade 1, heavy duty surface mounted closer with adjustable size 5-6 spring power. The closest peers by duty and grade are the BEST HD8000 Series and the BEST EHD9000 Series, both listed as heavy duty Grade 1 surface mounted closers, and the Sargent 1431 Powerglide heavy duty surface closer, also Grade 1. The Falcon SC71A Series is likewise a heavy duty Grade 1 surface mount closer. Any of these covers the same class of institutional or high traffic opening; confirm arm function separately, since the 8956 here is supplied with the PH plunger hold open arm for regular and top jamb mounting.
7) I need a hold open closer but not the plunger style - what else holds the door open?
The DORMA 8956 achieves hold open through a PH plunger arm for regular and top jamb mounting. If you want a different hold open mechanism, the Accentra 51 Series uses a tri-packed hold open arm and covers spring sizes 1 through 6, the Orca Hardware BHDC1958HO/PA is a hold open closer with a regular arm and parallel bracket for 1-3/4 inch doors, and the Stanley Security A45-501HL uses a long hold open arm as standard in top jamb mounting. The tri-packed options give you regular, parallel, and top jamb mounting out of one carton rather than the regular/top jamb arrangement of the 8956.
8) My opening needs a parallel arm mount - is the DORMA 8956 PH the right closer or should I use something else?
The 8956 PH arm is configured for regular and top jamb mounting, so for a push side parallel arm application look at a tri-mount closer instead. The Norton Rixson 8501A is a Grade 1 tri-mount closer with adjustable size 1-6 spring, the Dexter DCH1000 Series is a Grade 1 surface closer that mounts regular, parallel, or top jamb with a full cover, and the Arrow DCN325 is a Grade 1 tri-pack regular/parallel arm closer with adjustable spring size 1-6. For a heavy duty parallel capable unit, the Design Hardware 416 Series is a heavy duty tri-packed closer.
9) Is the DORMA 8956 rated for a high traffic institutional door?
It is built for exactly that. Grade 1 certified to ANSI/BHMA, heavy duty, tested to 10,000,000 cycles, and specified as a commercial product. School corridors, hospital entrances and other openings cycling all day are the intended use.
10) Will backcheck on the 8956 protect a door that gets thrown open against a wall?
That is what the backcheck is for. The 8900 Series hydraulic backcheck cushions the door near the end of its swing, and the valve lets you set how hard it bites. There is also a backcheck positioning adjustment so parallel arm setups get the same range as regular and top jamb.
11) The door is a light traffic interior opening - is there a lighter closer than the DORMA 8956?
The 8956 is a heavy duty closer rated to 10,000,000 cycles with size 5-6 spring power for doors up to 180 pounds, which is more closer than a small interior door needs. Lighter Grade 1 options include the BEST SL6000 Series and the Arrow DC314, both light duty Grade 1 surface closers, and the Norton Rixson 160 Series light commercial Grade 1 closer. The LCN 1250 Series is a light duty closer in sizes 1-5 with all weather fluid and ADA compliance, and the Falcon SC91A is a light duty Grade 3 cast aluminum closer.
12) Is there a cast iron alternative to the aluminum body DORMA 8956?
The 8956 uses an aluminum body. If your specification calls for cast iron, the Sargent 281 Powerglide is a cast iron heavy duty Grade 1 surface closer, and the LCN 1261 is a cast iron closer with adjustable spring sizes 1-5 in the light to medium duty class. For another cast aluminum heavy duty unit, the Falcon SC71A and the LCN 1460T with powder coat finish are both heavy duty surface closers.
13) What is a medium duty step down from the DORMA 8956 for moderate traffic doors?
For openings that do not see the traffic the heavy duty 8956 is built for, the medium duty Grade 1 alternatives include the BEST HD7000 Series with adjustable spring power and backcheck control, the Sargent 1131 and Sargent 1331, and the Norton Rixson 1601P tri-mount Grade 1 closer with 180 degree swing. The LCN 1450 is a medium duty closer with cast aluminum construction and spring sizes 1-6. Like the 8956, the HD7000 offers backcheck adjustment.
14) I need ADA barrier free operation on an exterior aluminum storefront - does the DORMA 8956 fit or is there a better match?
The 8956 is ADA compliant and its fully adjustable spring meets barrier free requirements, and it is a commercial closer built for institutional and high traffic use. For aluminum storefront specifically, the Norton Rixson 1600BC Series is a heavy duty Grade 1 aluminum storefront closer with tri-style mounting. Other barrier free Grade 1 choices are the Cal-Royal 500S with adjustable back-check and the Cal-Royal N900PBF barrier free hydraulic closer.
15) Which door closers look like alternatives to the DORMA 8956 but will not work on my opening?
Two things to watch. First, grade: the Cal-Royal 400 Series is Grade 2 and the Falcon SC91A is Grade 3, so neither meets a Grade 1 specification the way the 8956 does. Second, some items in the same aisle are not closers at all - the Arrow DCN500DP is a parallel drop plate for the DCN500, the Stanley 327 and Stanley 341 are wardrobe pivots, and the Stanley 57-0100 is a box of steel machine screws for architectural hinges. None of those replaces a surface mounted closer.
16) I want a slide track or concealed-look arm instead of the 8956 plunger hold open arm - what should I spec?
The 8956 comes with a flatform style arm and a narrow projection full cover, with the PH plunger hold open arm for regular and top jamb mounting. If the architect wants a track arm, the Corbin Russwin DC5230 Series is a Grade 1 surface closer with slide track arm standard for pull side mounting on 1-3/4 inch doors. For a double lever regular arm on the pull side, the Corbin Russwin DC6200 and DC8200 Series are both Grade 1 surface closers for 1-3/4 inch doors.
17) I need a delayed action closer rather than a hold open - what takes the place of the DORMA 8956?
The 8956 is supplied as a PH plunger hold open unit, which stops the door open rather than slowing its close. For delayed action, the Orca Hardware BHDC1958DA/PA and BHDC2011DA/PA are delayed action closers with a regular arm and parallel bracket for 1-3/4 inch doors, both supplied with a tri-packed non hold open arm.
18) Which alternatives to the DORMA 8956 cover the same size 5-6 spring range?
The 8956 is adjustable across sizes 5 to 6. Peers whose adjustment range includes those sizes are the Accentra 51 Series at size 1-6, the Accentra 2701 at spring sizes 1-6, the Arrow DCN325 at size 1-6, the Norton Rixson 8501A at size 1-6, the BEST EHD9000 Series at sizes 1-6, the Imperial USA TC4300 heavy duty at size 1-6, and the LCN 1450 at sizes 1-6. A closer capped at size 4 or 5, such as the Accentra 1101BF at sizes 1-4 or the Arrow DCN314 at size 1-4, will not reach the 8956 range.
19) What finishes does the DORMA 8956 surface closer come in?
Two: 689 aluminum and 695 dark bronze. Both are painted over the aluminum body, so if you are standardizing a building, pick the one that matches your existing closers and order the same code across the openings.
20) Does the DORMA 8956 come with a cover, and which alternatives do or do not?
The 8956 includes a narrow projection full cover. Among comparable closers, the Dexter DCH1000 Series is a Grade 1 tri-mount closer supplied with a full cover, and the Design Hardware 316 Series is furnished with a cover. By contrast the Arrow DCN314 and Arrow DCN325 are both supplied less cover, so if the exposed body is not acceptable on your opening those are not a like for like swap.
21) Can I standardize a building on one closer line and still match the DORMA 8956 finishes in aluminum and dark bronze?
The 8956 is offered in 689 aluminum and 695 dark bronze, the two architectural finishes most commonly carried across commercial closer lines. If you are standardizing instead on a single alternate line, the heavy duty Grade 1 candidates to carry across a facility are the BEST HD8000 Series, the BEST EHD9000 Series, the Sargent 1431 Powerglide, and the Falcon SC71A Series, each of which spans the same heavy duty Grade 1 class as the 8956 so the same model can repeat on your high traffic openings.
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Can I return it if it doesn’t work for me?
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Does the Dormakaba 8956-PH-FC-SN1-689 come with a warranty?
Absolutely. The Dormakaba 8956-PH-FC-SN1-689 is backed by a manufacturer’s warranty. For full warranty terms, check the product documentation or Contact Us.
How do I get technical support or installation help for the Dormakaba 8956-PH-FC-SN1-689?
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