DORMA 8956 Series Surface Clos...
IN STOCK (leaves warehouse same day if ordered before 3pm ET)
$764.00
$362.11
Dormakaba DORMA 8956 Series Surface Closer, SPAT-Super Parallel Arm Thumb Turn Hold Open, Adjustable Size 5-6 DOR-8956-SPAT

DORMA 8956 Series Surface Closer, SPAT-Super Parallel Arm Thumb Turn Hold Open, Adjustable Size 5-6

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Model: 8956-SPAT-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:
SPAT-Super Parallel Arm Thumb Turn Hold Open
Door Hand Direction:
Non-Handed
Product Size:
48"
Product Category:
Door Controls
Product Substrate:
Aluminum
Department:
Door Hardware

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

1) What does the SPAT option on the DORMA 8956 closer actually do?
SPAT stands for Super Parallel Arm with Thumb Turn Hold Open. The arm mounts parallel to the door on the push side, and a thumb turn on the arm lets staff hold the door open at a chosen point and release it by hand. It is the option to pick for openings where you want deliberate, manual hold open, loading doors, moving carts, propping a corridor door during a delivery. If you never want the door held open, order a non-hold-open arm instead.
2) How heavy a door will the DORMA 8956 closer handle?
The 8956 is rated for doors up to 180 lbs, with spring power adjustable across sizes 5 to 6. That puts it at the top end of surface closer power, for wide or heavy exterior and institutional doors where a size 1-4 closer would not pull the door shut against wind or stack pressure. On a light interior door, a size 5-6 closer will feel too strong even at its lowest setting.
3) Do I need to order a left-hand and right-hand version of the DORMA 8956?
No. The 8956 is non-handed, so one closer covers both left and right hand openings. That is useful if you are stocking spares for a building, one part number covers every door in the fleet.
4) What mounting fasteners come with the DORMA 8956 closer?
It ships with sex nuts sized for a 1-3/4 inch door, which is the standard commercial door thickness. Sex nuts through-bolt the closer body so the load is not carried by wood screws or thin sheet metal, that matters on a heavy door with a high-power closer. If your door is thicker or thinner than 1-3/4 inches, you will need different through-bolt hardware.
5) Does the DORMA 8956 meet ADA opening force requirements?
Yes. The 8956 is ADA compliant, and the fully adjustable spring is what makes that possible, you can dial the power down to meet barrier-free opening force on an accessible route while still having the range to handle a heavy door. The backcheck is separately adjustable so you can protect the door and frame without affecting closing force.
6) Is the DORMA 8956 heavy duty enough for a school or hospital entrance?
It is a Grade 1, heavy duty closer tested to 10,000,000 cycles, which is why the 8900 Series is specified for institutional and high traffic commercial work. On a door cycling hundreds of times a day, that cycle rating is the number that separates it from light duty closers.
7) Can the DORMA 8956 be mounted regular arm or top jamb instead of parallel arm?
No. The 8956 as configured with the SPAT option is a parallel arm closer, mounted on the push side of the door with the arm running parallel to the face. If your application calls for pull side regular arm or top jamb mounting, you want a tri-mount closer instead, the Dexter DCH1000, Norton Rixson 8501A, and Arrow DCN325 are all tri-mount bodies we carry.
8) What is the closest heavy-duty Grade 1 alternative to the DORMA 8956 surface closer from another brand?
The DORMA 8956 is an ANSI/BHMA Grade 1, heavy duty surface closer rated for 10,000,000 cycles. The nearest peers on duty and grade are the BEST EHD9000 Series extra heavy-duty surface closer with adjustable spring sizes 1-6, the BEST HD8000 Series heavy duty Grade 1 surface closer, the Falcon SC71A heavy-duty Grade 1 surface closer, and the Sargent 1431 Powerglide heavy-duty Grade 1 surface closer. All four are Grade 1 heavy duty surface-mounted closers; the 8956 differs in that it is supplied specifically with the SPAT super parallel arm with thumb turn hold open, while those peers are catalogued by series with their own arm selections.
9) I need a hold-open closer but not an extra heavy duty one. What can I use instead of the DORMA 8956?
The 8956 is a heavy duty closer built for size 5-6 spring power on doors around 180 lb. If the opening is lighter, hold-open alternatives include the Accentra 51 Series industrial closer with a tri-packed hold open arm and adjustable sizes 1-6, the Orca Hardware BHDC1958 hold open closer with parallel bracket for 1-3/4 inch doors, and the Stanley Security A45-501HL with a long hold open arm for top jamb mounting. Each gives you hold open; they differ from the 8956 in duty level and in how the arm is mounted.
10) Which closers look like substitutes for the DORMA 8956 but will not hold the door open?
Several Grade 1 closers are close on body and mounting but ship with non-hold-open arms, so they will not do what the 8956 SPAT thumb turn hold open does. Those include the Accentra 2701 Series with a tri-packed non-hold open arm in sizes 1-6, the Accentra 1101BF with a tri-packed non-hold open arm, the Design Hardware 116 and 416 heavy duty closers with tri-packed non-hold open arms, and the Orca Hardware BHDC1958RA/PA regular arm closer. If the spec calls for hold open at the arm, these are not drop-in equivalents.
11) The 8956 is a parallel arm closer. What should I use if the door has to be closed from the pull side or top jamb?
The 8956 ships with the SPAT super parallel arm, so it is set up for push-side parallel mounting. If the opening needs pull side or top jamb, look at tri-mount closers that cover regular, parallel and top jamb from one carton: the Dexter DCH1000 Grade 1 surface closer with full cover, the Norton Rixson 8501A Grade 1 tri-mount closer with adjustable size 1-6 spring, the Norton Rixson 1601P Grade 1 tri-mount with 180 degree swing, or the Arrow DCN325 Grade 1 tri-pack in adjustable spring sizes 1-6. For a dedicated pull-side unit, the Corbin Russwin DC8200 is a Grade 1 double lever regular arm closer for pull side mounting on 1-3/4 inch doors.
12) The DORMA 8956 seems like overkill for my interior office doors. What should I use?
For lighter interior doors, step down in duty rather than fighting a size 5-6 spring. The BEST HD7000 Series is a medium duty Grade 1 closer, the Falcon SC81A is medium duty Grade 1, and the Norton Rixson 1601P is a medium duty Grade 1 tri-mount. Save the 8956 for heavy exterior and high traffic openings, its 180 lb door rating and heavy duty build are sized for that work.
13) Will a parallel arm closer hit the wall on an out-swinging exterior door?
That is exactly what the parallel arm and backcheck combination addresses. With the arm mounted parallel to the door face on the push side, the assembly stays tight to the door and out of the swing path, and the 8900 Series has a backcheck positioning adjustment specific to parallel arm applications so the cushioning range matches what you get in regular and top jamb mounting. The full cover is a narrow projection design, keeping the closer close to the door.
14) Is there a Grade 1 barrier-free closer comparable to the DORMA 8956 for an ADA opening?
The DORMA 8956 is ADA compliant with a fully adjustable spring that meets barrier-free requirements. Comparable barrier-free Grade 1 choices are the Cal-Royal 500S barrier free closer with adjustable back-check, the Cal-Royal N900PBF barrier free hydraulic closer, the Calibre CA9901 Grade 1 tri-pack arm ADA closer in sizes 2-5, and the Imperial USA TC4300 Grade 1 heavy duty size 1-6 ADA closer. The TC4300 is the one of that group also rated heavy duty, like the 8956.
15) How does the DORMA 8956 compare with the Sargent 281 and LCN 1460T for a high-traffic entrance?
All three are heavy duty surface closers. The DORMA 8956 is Grade 1, rated 10,000,000 cycles, adjustable size 5-6, with an aluminum body and the SPAT thumb turn hold open arm. The Sargent 281 Powerglide is a Grade 1 heavy duty closer with a cast iron body. The LCN 1460T is a Grade 1 heavy duty commercial closer supplied in a powder coat finish. Choose on body material, arm function and finish rather than on capability, since all three sit in the same heavy duty Grade 1 class.
16) We standardize on medium duty closers. What is the step down from the DORMA 8956 within the same Grade 1 class?
The 8956 is heavy duty Grade 1. Medium duty Grade 1 closers that keep the same certification include the BEST HD7000 Series with adjustable spring power and backcheck control, the Falcon SC81A cast aluminum medium duty closer, the Sargent 1131 for medium-traffic commercial openings, and the Sargent 1331 with a universal aluminum body. All four are Grade 1; they differ from the 8956 in duty level and arm package.
17) Is a Cal-Royal 400 Series closer an equivalent to the DORMA 8956?
No. The DORMA 8956 is an ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 heavy duty closer rated 10,000,000 cycles, while the Cal-Royal 400 Series is a Grade 2 commercial hydraulic closer. If the opening is specified Grade 1, stay with the 8956 or a Grade 1 peer such as the Cal-Royal 700S dual valve sized closer with adjustable tube arm. The Falcon SC91A is also not a match on certification, as it is a Grade 3 light duty closer.
18) What if the opening needs a slide track arm rather than the 8956 parallel arm?
The DORMA 8956 comes with the SPAT super parallel arm and thumb turn hold open, which is a swing arm application. For a track application, the Corbin Russwin DC5230 is a Grade 1 surface closer with a slide track arm as standard for pull side mounting on 1-3/4 inch doors. That is a different arm geometry and a different soffit condition, so confirm the frame will take the track before substituting.
19) What finishes does the DORMA 8956 surface closer come in?
Two: 689 aluminum and 695 dark bronze. Those are the two standard architectural painted finishes, 689 matches clear anodized aluminum storefront and 695 matches dark bronze anodized frames. Pick to match the frame, not the door.
20) Is the DORMA 8956 closer body cast iron or aluminum?
Aluminum. That keeps the closer lighter on the door than a cast iron body while still carrying the Grade 1 heavy duty rating and 10 million cycle endurance. If you specifically want cast iron, the Sargent 281 Powerglide is a cast iron heavy duty Grade 1 closer and the LCN 1261 is cast iron as well.
How fast can I get the Dormakaba 8956-SPAT-FC-SN1-689 delivered?
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Can I return it if it doesn’t work for me?
Yes—ZenSupply offers a hassle-free return policy. If the product isn’t the right fit, reach out to our support team for a return authorization or setup a return by following our return instructions.
Does the Dormakaba 8956-SPAT-FC-SN1-689 come with a warranty?
Absolutely. The Dormakaba 8956-SPAT-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-SPAT-FC-SN1-689?
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