Key takeaways
- Each of the four series has a closer with a spring adjustable through sizes 1 to 6. The 1600 Series also comes as a sized closer in size 3 or 4, and the catalog says its spring power is not adjustable.
- Norton's catalog says the sweep speed valve covers the door's travel from full open down to approximately 10° from closed, and the latch speed valve covers approximately 10° down to fully closed.
- For the widest interior door on a 7500 regular arm, Norton's catalog gives 54 in.; the power adjustment chart in its installation instructions runs to 60 in.
- For every series here except the 210, Norton's catalog says an auxiliary stop is required with non-hold open arms except the CloserPlus, CloserPlus Spring and Unitrol, while the non-hold open instruction sheets for the same series recommend a separate door stop.
Models
Which Norton closer do I have?
The table names the four series this page covers, the models it describes in each, and how Norton's documents tell them apart. Norton's catalog has chapters for eight more series, listed in the last row; this page doesn't describe them.
Norton's discontinuance notice discontinued the 1601BF and 1601DA door closers; the table gives its dates. It says "Factory Technical Support will be available through the warranty period, December 1, 2031."
For how to tell whether any brand of closer needs adjustment, repair or replacement, see the general guide to commercial door closer repair, adjustment or replacement. Norton's powered operators are on the page about Norton low-energy door operators.
| Series | Norton's description | Models | How Norton tells them apart |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7500 | Institutional door closer | 7500; delayed action 7500DA | The instructions count 4 valves on a standard 7500 and 5 on a 7500DA |
| 8000 | Architectural door closer | 8301 and 8501 | The model number carries the cover: 1 without cover, 3 Slim Line cover (8301), 5 Full cover (8501) |
| 1600 | Aluminum storefront door closer | Multi-sized 1601; sized 1603BC and 1604BC (the 1600BC); hold open 1601H, 1603BC-H, 1604BC-H | Size code key in the hold open instructions: 1-6 is a 1601, 3 a 1603BC, 4 a 1604BC. Molded plastic cover optional, suffix P |
| 1600, other | Aluminum storefront door closer | Corrosion-resistant 1601SS | Non-hold open only, not tri-packed |
| 1600, discontinued | Discontinued (notice 43376, 11/16) | 1601BF and 1601DA | 1601BF orders received after November 21, 2016 entered as the new 1601 size 1-6; 1601DA orders not accepted after November 30, 2016 |
| 210 | Light commercial door closer | 210, ordered with an arm assembly | Arm assembly TPN, TPH, HDN or HDH (see the arms table) |
| Not on this page | Other chapters in the same catalog | Aluminum: 2800ST, 7570, 78-BF, 1700, 160. Cast iron: 9500, 9540, 410 | Not described here |
Source Norton Rixson's Surface Closers Catalog, its 1600 Series hold open and 7500 Series non-hold open installation instructions, and its 1601BF and 1601DA discontinuance notice.
Series
How the four series compare
The feature list for each series includes a cast aluminum body, a non-handed closer, a rack-and-pinion (geared) design and a door weight of 250 lbs. Non-handed means one closer fits a door of either hand; the chapters for every series here except the 210 say that holds "with few exceptions," and that some options require the hand to be specified.
Every series here except the 210 also comes Tri-Style: the closer is packed with screws and brackets for regular, top jamb and parallel arm mounting. The 210 is ordered with an arm assembly instead, and its TPN and TPH assemblies are tri-packed for the same three mountings.
| Series | Spring | Piston diameter | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7500 | Adjustable spring sizes 1-6 | 1-1/2 in. (38 mm) | Limited 30-year |
| 8000 (8301 and 8501) | Adjustable spring sizes 1 through 6 | 1-1/4 in. (32 mm) | 30-year limited |
| 1600 (1600BC and 1601) | 1601: adjustable spring sizes 1 through 6. 1600BC: sized springs 3 or 4 with no power adjustment | 1-3/8 in. (35 mm) | 30-year limited |
| 210 | Adjustable spring size 1 through 6 | Not listed | 10 year limited |
Source Norton Rixson's Surface Closers Catalog: the feature lists and explanation of features in each chapter.
Sizing
Will it fit my door?
The table gives the door widths Norton's catalog prints for three of the series, by closer and mounting. The standard door width notes for the regular, top jamb and parallel arms also say the closers are set at midpower range from the factory. Heavy-duty arm and slide track pages print their own widths.
Each chapter's ordering page adds: "Sizing charts are based on 1-3/4" x 7' standard weight doors swinging to 110°." It says other application conditions, such as larger door heights or weight, may require a larger size closer.
Norton's documents differ on the widest interior door for a 7500 on a regular arm or top jamb. The catalog's standard widths stop at 54 in. (137 cm); the power adjustment chart in the installation instructions runs to 60 in. (1,524 mm) interior and 48 in. (1,219 mm) exterior. For the parallel arm, the chart runs to 54 in. (1,372 mm) interior and 48 in. (1,219 mm) exterior.
| Closer and mounting | Catalog figure | Interior doors | Exterior doors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7500, regular arm | Standard door widths | 32 to 54 in. (81-137 cm) | 30 to 48 in. (76-122 cm) |
| 7500, top jamb arm | Standard door widths | 32 to 54 in. (81-137 cm) | 30 to 48 in. (76-122 cm) |
| 7500, parallel arm | Standard door widths | 30 to 54 in. (76-137 cm) | 30 to 48 in. (76-122 cm) |
| 7500, parallel rigid arm (heavy-duty) | Standard door widths | 30 to 48 in. | 32 to 48 in. |
| 8301 and 8501, regular, top jamb or parallel arm | Standard door widths | 30 to 48 in. (76-122 cm): one range, no interior and exterior split | Same single range |
| 1601 and hold open 1601H, regular arm or top jamb | Maximum door size (listed beside every row) | Rows from 32 to 48 in. | Rows from 30 to 48 in. |
| 1601 and hold open 1601H, parallel arm | Maximum door size (listed beside every row) | Rows from 30 to 48 in. | Rows from 30 to 48 in. |
| 1603BC, regular arm | Maximum door size, sized closer (non-hold open) | 38 in. (97 cm) | 30 in. (76 cm) |
| 1604BC, regular arm | Maximum door size, sized closer (non-hold open) | 42 in. (107 cm) | 36 in. (91 cm) |
| 1603BC, J1603BC, J1683BC, top jamb | Maximum door size, sized closer (non-hold open) | 38 in. (97 cm) | 30 in. (76 cm) |
| 1604BC, J1604BC, J1684BC, top jamb | Maximum door size, sized closer (non-hold open) | 42 in. (107 cm) | 36 in. (91 cm) |
| P1603BC, parallel arm | Maximum door size, sized closer (non-hold open) | 36 in. (91 cm) | 30 in. (76 cm) |
| P1604BC, parallel arm | Maximum door size, sized closer (non-hold open) | 42 in. (107 cm) | 36 in. (91 cm) |
Source Norton Rixson's Surface Closers Catalog (arm pages, maximum door size tables and ordering pages) and its 7500 Series non-hold open installation instructions.
Arms
Which arm does it use?
All four series mount three standard ways: regular arm, top jamb arm and parallel arm. The 7500 chapter places the regular arm on the pull side of the door and the parallel arm on the push side. The table lists the heavy-duty arms each chapter names. The 210 chapter notes that its arms "are not interchangeable with Norton Rixson premium door closers."
Norton's documents word the door stop differently. The catalog chapters for every series here except the 210 say that with non-hold open arms an auxiliary stop (by others) is required except when using the CloserPlus, CloserPlus Spring or Unitrol arms. In the non-hold open instruction sheets for the same three series: "A separate door stop is recommended."
The 7500 and 8000 non-hold open sheets say these closers should not be installed on the exposed side (weather side) of exterior doors. The 1600 hold open sheet says "Do not install door closers on the weather-exposed side of an exterior door."
| Arm | Series | What the catalog says |
|---|---|---|
| Regular arm | All four | Pull side; "the only pull-side application where a double lever arm is used" and the most power efficient (7500 chapter) |
| Parallel arm | All four | Push side; approximately 25% less power-efficient than a regular arm application (7500 chapter) |
| Top jamb arm | All four | One of the three standard mountings |
| Regular Rigid (heavy-duty) | 7500, 8000 | Listed in the feature list |
| Parallel Rigid, CloserPlus Spring, Unitrol (heavy-duty) | 7500, 8000, 1600 | Listed in the feature lists |
| CloserPlus (heavy-duty) | 7500, 8000, 1600 | Stop at the soffit plate dead stops the door at a predetermined degree of door swing between 85° and 110°, in 5° increments (7500 chapter) |
| Slide tracks | 7500, 8000 | Push or pull side mounting |
| Cushion stop arm, prefix CA | 1600 | Regular arm only |
| Optional 1600P molded cover | 1600 | Non-handed for regular and parallel arm; not designed for top jamb |
| TPN and TPH | 210 | Tri-packed (regular, parallel, top jamb mounting): non-hold open and hold open |
| HDN and HDH | 210 | Heavy duty with removable stop: non-hold open, and hold open thumbturn |
Source Norton Rixson's Surface Closers Catalog, and the non-hold open installation instructions for the 7500, 8000 and 1600 and the hold open instructions for the 1600.
Valves
What does each valve control?
The feature list for each of the four series includes independent latch, sweep and backcheck intensity valves. Backcheck means control of the door in its opening swing. The table gives what Norton says each valve controls.
This page gives no adjustment steps; Norton's installation instructions cover adjustment. The 7500 and 8000 sheets open with this caution: "An incorrectly installed or improperly adjusted door closer can cause property damage or personal injury." If the speed or force seems wrong, the next step is a service call, not a changed setting.
| Valve or adjustment | Series | What Norton says it controls |
|---|---|---|
| Sweep speed | 7500, 8000, 1600 | Door speed from the full open position down to approximately 10° from closed |
| Latch speed | 7500, 8000, 1600 | Door speed from approximately 10° down to fully closed |
| Backcheck cushion | 7500, 8000, 1600 | Control of the door in the opening cycle, beginning at approximately 75° of door opening |
| Backcheck cushion, added note | 7500 | Slows or cushions the door opening when the door is forcibly opened beyond its pre-adjusted limits |
| Backcheck position | 7500 | Lets the position where backcheck cushioning begins be set to a greater door angle, up to a maximum of 20° farther (approximately 95°) |
| Enhanced backcheck, suffix EBC (option) | 7500 | Adjustable backcheck intensity beginning at approximately 15° of opening; not available with delayed action |
| Delayed action (option, with a pressure relief valve) | 7500, 8000 | Optional hydraulic feature: a third speed range in the closing cycle, effective when the door is opened and released at any point beyond 70° |
| Delayed action, maximum delay times | 7500, 8000 | 4-5 minutes for a door released at 180°, 2-3 minutes at 120°, 25-30 seconds at 90° |
| Spring power | 7500, 8000 | Labeled apart from the valves in the catalog cutaways: a spring power adjustment nut (7500), a spring power adjustment shaft (8000) |
| Valve 1, valve 2, backcheck valve | 210 | Sweep range, latch range, and strength of cushioning in the backcheck range (sheet linked on Norton's 210 page) |
Source Norton Rixson's Surface Closers Catalog (explanation of features and cutaway views), and the non-hold open installation instructions for the 7500, the 8000 and the 210.
Hold open
Can it hold the door open, and where?
A hold open arm can keep the door open. The catalog chapters for every series here except the 210 carry the same sentence beside their hold open description: "Hold open arm door closers are not permitted to be used on fire door assemblies."
For the 7500, the chapter text and the Door Opening Degrees table on the same page give different ranges, and the table below shows both.
The ordering page of each of the four chapters carries a note that begins "Before installing a door closer, verify the accessibility, fire, and life-safety requirements that are in effect" and names the "Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)." The same note says to consult NFPA 80 for the hinge requirements on a fire door.
For how hold open and non-hold open closers differ in general, see hold-open vs non-hold-open closers.
| Where Norton gives it | Hold open type or arm | Range |
|---|---|---|
| 8000 and 1600 chapters | Friction, using template location and mechanical adjustment | 90° to 180° |
| 8000 and 1600 chapters | Ball and detent or roller | 85° to 110° |
| 7500 chapter text | Ball and detent/roller | 85° to 110° |
| 7500 Door Opening Degrees table | Regular, top jamb and parallel arm | 90° to 180° |
| 7500 Door Opening Degrees table | Parallel rigid arm | 85° to 180° |
| 7500 Door Opening Degrees table | CloserPlus, CloserPlus Spring and Unitrol arms | 85° to 110° |
Source Norton Rixson's Surface Closers Catalog: the hold open descriptions, the 7500 Door Opening Degrees table and the ordering page notes.
Listings
Listings and accessibility statements in Norton's words
The certifications list in each of the four chapters includes these five lines: "ANSI/BHMA A156.4, Grade 1," "ANSI/BHMA A117.1," "Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliant," "UL10C positive pressure up to 3 hours" and "UL-cUL listed." These are Norton's statements about its own products.
Under each list the catalog prints a caution headed "Door Closers for Low Opening Force Applications." It reads: "Door closers installed in openings required to meet the requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act or ANSI/BHMA Standard A117.1, when adjusted to meet those requirements, may not provide adequate closing power to dependably close and latch the door based on opening or site conditions."
The 7500 instructions say that when the closer is adjusted to conform to ADA reduced opening force requirements (5 lbs max.) for interior doors, "it may not have adequate closing force to reliably close and latch door."
Source Norton Rixson's Surface Closers Catalog (certifications lists) and its 7500 Series non-hold open installation instructions.
Documents
Where are Norton's installation instructions?
Each series page on nortonrixson.com has a documentation list with the catalog and that series' installation instructions. The table gives the sheets for the standard regular, top jamb and parallel arm mountings. The 7500 and 8000 pages also list separate sheets for other arms, such as the Unitrol, CloserPlus and slide track versions.
| Series | Non-hold open | Hold open |
|---|---|---|
| 7500 | 80-9377-1201-020, Rev 4 06/26 | 80-9377-3204-020, Rev 3 06/26 |
| 8000 | 80-9380-2206-020, Rev 5 07/26, for arm models 8101, 8301 and 8501 | 80-9380-3207-020, Rev 3 07/26 |
| 1600 | 80-9316-2531-020, for arm models 1601, 1603BC and 1604BC (the file prints Rev 5 02/23) | 80-9316-3532-020, Rev 7 10/26, for models 1601H, 1603BC-H and 1604BC-H |
| 210 | 80-9327-0001-000 (linked on Norton's 210 page under a shared ACCENTRA 2700 and Norton Rixson 210 title) | 80-9327-3003-000, Rev 2 06/19 |
Source The documentation lists on Norton Rixson's 7500, 8000, 1600 and 210 Series product pages, and the sheets themselves.
Questions about Norton closers
Norton door closer questions
What sizes do Norton door closers adjust to?
Each of the four series on this page has a closer whose spring adjusts through sizes 1 to 6. The exception is the sized 1600BC, in power size 3 or 4, whose spring power the catalog says is not adjustable.
What do the adjustment valves on a Norton door closer control?
Norton's catalog says the sweep speed valve controls door speed from full open down to approximately 10° from closed, the latch speed valve from approximately 10° to fully closed, and the backcheck cushion valve controls the door in the opening cycle, beginning at approximately 75° of door opening. The 7500 adds a backcheck position valve.
What is the difference between a Norton 1601 and a 1603BC or 1604BC?
The 1601 is the multi-sized closer, adjustable through sizes 1 to 6. The 1603BC and 1604BC are the sized versions, size 3 and size 4, with spring power the catalog says is not adjustable. On a regular arm, size 3 is listed to a 38 in. interior or 30 in. exterior door, and size 4 to 42 in. interior or 36 in. exterior.
Can a Norton hold open closer go on a fire door?
Norton's catalog chapters for every series on this page except the 210 say "Hold open arm door closers are not permitted to be used on fire door assemblies."
Service for a Norton door closer
Elwin Security installs, repairs and replaces Norton door closers as part of its commercial door closer and exit device service for commercial and multifamily properties in the San Francisco Bay Area. Calls are answered 8:00 AM-8:00 PM daily at (408) 539-0535.
Sources and further reading
These sources back up the general guidance. Your building and the people who approve the work decide the details for your doors.
- Norton Rixson (ASSA ABLOY): Norton Rixson Surface Closers Catalog (43506, 09/26)
- Norton Rixson (ASSA ABLOY): 7500 Series Door Closer, Non-Hold Open, Installation Instructions (80-9377-1201-020, Rev 4 06/26)
- Norton Rixson (ASSA ABLOY): 8000 Series Door Closer, Non-Hold Open, Installation Instructions (80-9380-2206-020, Rev 5 07/26)
- Norton Rixson (ASSA ABLOY): 1600 Series Non-Handed Door Closer, Arm Models 1601, 1603BC and 1604BC, Installation Instructions (80-9316-2531-020; Norton's 1600 page lists it as 10/2026, the file prints Rev 5 02/23)
- Norton Rixson (ASSA ABLOY): 1600 Series, Hold Open, Installation Instructions (80-9316-3532-020, Rev 7 10/26)
- Norton Rixson (ASSA ABLOY): 7500 Series Door Closer, Hold Open, Installation Instructions (80-9377-3204-020, Rev 3 06/26)
- Norton Rixson (ASSA ABLOY): 8000H Tri-Style, Hold Open, Installation Instructions (80-9380-3207-020, Rev 3 07/26)
- Norton Rixson (ASSA ABLOY): 210 Series Door Closer, Regular, Top Jamb and Parallel Arms, Hold Open, Installation Instructions (80-9327-3003-000, Rev 2 06/19)
- Norton Rixson (ASSA ABLOY): 210 Series Door Closer, Regular, Top Jamb and Parallel Arms, Non-Hold Open, Installation Instructions (80-9327-0001-000)
- Norton Rixson (ASSA ABLOY): 1601BF and 1601DA Door Closers Discontinuance Notice (43376, 11/16)
- Norton Rixson (ASSA ABLOY): 7500 Series product page