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Rixson (Norton Rixson) Door Closers
The definitive name in commercial floor closers and overhead concealed door control. Authorized service across Brevard County for the Rixson Model 27 / 127 offset-hung floor closers, Model 28 / H28 center-hung, Model 30/40 heavy-duty, Model 20 lighter-duty, Model 117 offset pivot set, SEC 25/27 security floor closers, PH27 low-force ADA, and 27-180 180° pivot.
Parent company: ASSA ABLOY (merged with Norton as "Norton Rixson")
About Rixson (Norton Rixson)
Rixson — now officially "Norton Rixson" under ASSA ABLOY's consolidated branding — is the industry-standard name in commercial floor closers. If your building has a door pivoting on a closer mounted below the floor (visible only as a pivot cap on the floor surface), it's almost certainly a Rixson. Lobbies, all-glass entries, executive suites, high-end retail, pivot doors in architectural commercial — Rixson floor closers are the default specification, and have been for decades.
The defining Rixson product is the Model 27 Series 3/4" offset-hung floor closer — ANSI/BHMA A156.4 Grade 1 certified, rated for interior or exterior doors up to 450 lbs and 48" wide. The direct connection between the door's bottom arm and the floor closer spindle delivers mechanical closing efficiency that surface or overhead concealed closers simply can't match — the full weight and leverage of the door work with the closer rather than against it. 10-year limited warranty (vs 2 years on the lighter Model 20).
For architectural applications requiring maximum concealment combined with maximum performance — Rixson is the answer. Surface closers would be visually unacceptable on a premium glass-storefront lobby; overhead concealed (OHCC) closers work but are less mechanically efficient than floor closers; floor closers are the premium spec, and Rixson is the premium floor closer brand.
Rixson (Norton Rixson) Models & Series We Service
| Model / Series | Description | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Model 27 Series | Flagship 3/4" offset-hung heavy-duty floor closer. ANSI/BHMA A156.4 Grade 1. Interior or exterior doors to 450 lbs / 48" wide. Non-hold-open (N) or selective hold-open (S). Dead-stop options: 85°, 90°, 95°, 105°, or 180° (27-180 variant). 10-year warranty. Cycolac rust-proof cement case, one-piece hardened steel spindle. | Standard commercial offset-hung pivot doors |
| Model 127 Series | Heavy-duty 3/4" offset floor closer for DEEP REVEAL applications — where frame depth requires additional spindle length. Same Grade 1 performance tier as 27 Series. | Deep-reveal frame applications |
| Model 27-180 | 27 Series with 180° top pivot installation — enables door swing through 180° range for applications where door must open past 105°. | 180° opening applications |
| Model 27-1/2 | Intermediate 27 Series variant for specific installation geometries between standard 27 and deep-reveal 127. | Specialized installation geometries |
| Model 27QT Removable | 27 Series with removable floor closer + integrated threshold — serviceable without disturbing floor finish. Premium spec for buildings where floor disruption during service is unacceptable. | Service-accessible floor closer |
| Model 28 Series | Single-acting center-hung floor closer — for doors where the pivot axis is at the door centerline rather than offset. Grade 1 heavy-duty, 10-year warranty. | Center-hung single-acting commercial |
| Model H28 Heavy Duty | Heavy-duty concealed floor closer for offset-hung doors — premium variant within the 28 family. | Heavy-duty concealed offset-hung |
| Models 30 / 40 | Heavy-duty floor closer series for demanding commercial/industrial applications. 10-year limited warranty. Positioned between 27/28 and the heaviest institutional specifications. | Heavy-duty industrial |
| Model H40 Double-Acting | Heavy-duty center-hung floor closer, double-acting — door can swing both directions. For corridor and institutional applications requiring bidirectional swing. | Double-acting center-hung |
| Model 20 Series | Lighter-duty floor closer — 2-year warranty (vs 10 years on 27/28/30/40). Value-tier floor closer for lower-spec applications where 27 Series is overkill. | Light-duty floor closer / budget spec |
| Model PH27 (8.5 lb Low-Force) | Barrier-free low-force variant of 27 Series — 8.5 lb opening force for ADA accessibility. NOT strong enough for fire-rated or exterior doors per Rixson warning. ADA guidelines do not apply to fire-rated openings — verify code before spec'ing PH27 on fire-rated assembly. | ADA barrier-free interior (not fire-rated / exterior) |
| Model 117 Offset Pivot Set | Offset pivot set (3/4" offset) — heavy-duty pivot hardware for commercial interior doors. Not a floor closer itself; used in combination with floor closers or standalone for pivot-only applications. | Pivot hardware (non-closer) |
| SEC 25 / SEC 27 Security | Security floor closer variants — 3/4" offset pivoted, 180° top pivot, tamper-resistant fasteners (Torx with thread lock). Detention, psychiatric, security-critical institutional. | Detention / psychiatric / security |
Arm Types & Mounting Configurations
Door closer arm choice is the single biggest decision after brand/size — it determines mounting location, how the door behaves when fully open, and whether hold-open or controlled-stop is built in.
| Code | Arm Type | Mount | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| N (Non-Hold-Open) | Non-hold-open | Factory-set | Floor closer configured for standard closing — does not hold door open. Factory configuration on Model 27N. |
| S (Selective Hold) | Selective hold-open | Screw-adjustable | Hold-open function adjustable ON/OFF via screw control on top of closer. Available on Models 27 and 28 only. Most flexible field configuration. |
| H (Hold-Open) | Permanent hold-open | Factory-set | Hold-open permanently enabled; cannot be changed in field. Hold position matches dead-stop degree. |
| 85° | 85° dead-stop | Factory degree | Door stops (and holds if hold-open variant) at 85° open position. Most compact install. |
| 90° | 90° dead-stop | Factory degree | Door stops at 90° — typical commercial spec. Default for most installations. |
| 95° | 95° dead-stop | Factory degree | Slightly wider than 90° — useful where full 90° collides with wall but 105° isn't needed. |
| 105° | 105° dead-stop | Factory degree | Wider opening — allows easier passage for carts, wheelchairs, strollers. |
| 180° (27-180) | 180° opening | Special variant | Full 180° door swing — Model 27 only. For applications where door needs to open flat against wall (e.g. kitchen pass-through, service corridors). |
| PH (Low Force) | Low-force ADA (8.5 lb) | PH27 variant only | Reduced opening force for ADA accessibility. Interior non-fire-rated only. Not for exterior or fire-rated doors. |
| Torx Security | Torx tamper-resistant fasteners | Visible screws | SEC 25/27 security variants use Torx thread-locked fasteners on all visible screws. Orders require separate specification. |
| Extended Spindle | Extended spindle option | 1/2" increments | Available in 1/2" increments up to 2" longer than standard. For thicker-than-standard floor finishes. |
| 1-1/2" Offset | 1-1/2" extra-offset | Cladding/molding | For doors with 3/4" cladding or frames with applied molding. Max door weight reduced to 250 lbs. |
Available Finishes
Common Rixson (Norton Rixson) Repair Scenarios
- Rixson 27 floor closer not closing door fully — separate latch speed valve, main speed valve, and backcheck valve accessible via top cover removal. Sequential adjustment.
- 27 Series dead-stop worn or failed — door swings past set degree. Stop mechanism replacement typically requires full closer service; in many cases cylinder replacement is cleaner than rebuild.
- Selective hold-open (S variant) not engaging — screw control on top of closer adjusts hold-open ON/OFF. Verify screw position; internal hold mechanism wear is a rarer failure mode.
- Floor closer leaking hydraulic fluid (onto floor) — internal seal failure. Floor closer replacement typically required; rebuild shops can sometimes service older units but newer 27 Series are more cost-effective to replace than rebuild.
- PH27 low-force variant allowing door to slam — PH27 is engineered for 8.5 lb opening force, which means reduced closing force too. Not suitable for exterior doors, fire-rated doors, or heavy door applications — slam is a symptom of misapplication, not closer failure. Reassess spec.
- 27-1/2 or 27QT service — specialized variants; parts availability via ASSA ABLOY authorized distributors. QT removable variant serviceable without floor disruption.
- Intermediate pivot needed for tall doors — Rixson specification: doors 60" to 90" in height should use one intermediate pivot; each additional 30" warrants another. Missing intermediate pivot on tall doors causes binding and premature closer wear.
- Floor closer replacement requires floor access — floor tile, stone, or terrazzo around closer typically must be disturbed for service. We coordinate with flooring contractors for premium finish restoration.
- SEC 25/27 security closer tamper evidence — Torx thread-locked fasteners are intentionally non-standard. If arm/cover shows tampering, report attempted breach — security closers are specifically selected for tamper evidence.
- 180° opening variant (27-180) not reaching full 180° — verify top pivot installation is correct; 27-180 requires specific top pivot configuration, not compatible with standard 90°/105° top pivots.
Automation & Access Control Integration
- Floor closer mechanical advantage — direct spindle connection delivers superior closing efficiency vs surface or overhead concealed closers. For heavy doors (approaching 450 lbs on Model 27), only a floor closer provides reliable closing.
- BTS80 (dormakaba) vs Rixson 27 comparison — both are top-tier floor closers. Rixson has the broader US heritage and parts availability; dormakaba BTS80 has the electromagnetic hold-open (BTS80 EMB) integration for fire-door applications. Choice depends on building's existing hardware standardization.
- Fire alarm integration — Rixson floor closers don't have native electromagnetic hold-open; pair with separate magnetic hold-open devices tied to fire alarm for code-compliant fire-door hold-open.
- Access control integration — floor-closed pivot doors can integrate electric strikes on the leading edge or electrified multi-point locks. PDK.io cloud access control compatible with standard 12/24VDC interfaces.
- 180° pivot applications — Model 27-180 enables bidirectional swing applications where auto operators would be impractical (kitchen pass-throughs, service corridors, bidirectional traffic).
- Lead-lined door support — Rixson 27 Series supports lead-lined radiology doors up to 450 lbs. Verify with intermediate pivots for doors over 60" tall.
Fire Rating & Code Compliance
- 27 / 127 / 27-180 / 27-1/2 / 27QT / 28 / H28 / 30 / 40: ANSI/BHMA A156.4 Grade 1 certified, UL-listed for fire-rated door assemblies.
- Warranty: 10 years on Models 27/28/30/40. 2 years on Model 20.
- <strong>PH27 low-force variant: NOT for fire-rated or exterior doors per Rixson specification.</strong> ADA guidelines do not apply to fire-rated openings — fire door closing force requirement overrides ADA reduced-force accommodation.
- Security variants (SEC 25/27) carry fire-rating with their tamper-resistant construction — fire-rating and security-spec are compatible.
- Rixson cylindrical construction (Cycolac rust-proof cement case, one-piece hardened steel spindle) designed for decades of service in fire-rated applications.
- Intermediate pivots required on doors over 60" tall for proper operation and fire-rating maintenance — single pivot on a 7' door will bind the closer and compromise fire performance.
- Floor closer replacement on fire-rated openings must maintain same fire rating — we verify UL listing of replacement unit matches existing door assembly before install.
Need service on Rixson (Norton Rixson) door closers?
Brevard County commercial service — same-visit repairs on common parts. Licensed, insured, 25+ years hardware experience.
Call (321) 224-5625Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rixson still a separate brand or part of Norton?
ASSA ABLOY has consolidated Rixson and Norton Door Controls under the unified "Norton Rixson" brand umbrella. Current catalogs market Rixson products as "Norton Rixson Model 27," "Norton Rixson H28," etc. The products themselves — engineering, mounting patterns, certifications, parts availability — are unchanged. Existing Rixson-branded installations receive identical service under either name. When ordering new, "Norton Rixson" or "Rixson" is accepted by distributors; "Rixson" alone is still understood throughout the industry.
Why are floor closers specifically better than surface or OHCC?
Mechanical efficiency. A floor closer connects directly to the bottom of the door via the pivot spindle — the door's full weight is supported by the floor, and the closing force works through the leverage of the entire door height. Surface closers and overhead concealed closers work against gravity (fighting the weight of the door that's hanging from hinges or pivots up high) and have shorter lever arms. For heavy doors (commercial glass, lead-lined, heavy metal entries), surface closers fail earlier and OHCC struggles; floor closers last longer under heavier loads because the physics favor them.
What does "3/4" offset" mean on a Model 27?
Offset refers to the distance between the pivot axis and the door edge. "3/4" offset" means the pivot is 3/4 inch inward from the hinge edge of the door — this is the industry-standard offset for commercial pivot doors. Alternative: center-hung (Model 28), where the pivot is at the centerline of the door thickness, used for all-glass entries and double-acting doors. For most commercial offset-hung pivot doors (typical commercial metal or wood doors on pivots instead of butt hinges), 3/4" offset is the default. Verify existing door spec before ordering replacement.
I need a floor closer under my existing door but the floor is finished stone / tile — can you install without destroying the floor?
Depends on floor condition and closer type. The Model 27QT Removable variant is specifically engineered for this: closer + threshold integrated, serviceable without disturbing floor finish. For existing stone/tile floors without an existing closer pocket, installing a new floor closer requires cutting the floor — we coordinate with flooring contractors for finish restoration. For service of an existing floor closer where the closer body is failing but the pocket is intact, replacement in place is usually possible without major floor disruption.
What's the difference between Rixson 27 and dormakaba BTS80?
Both are top-tier Grade 1 commercial floor closers. Rixson has broader US heritage — if you're in a building built before 2000, the floor closers are almost certainly Rixson. dormakaba BTS80 has growing US presence and offers the BTS80 EMB electromagnetic hold-open variant for fire-door integration (Rixson doesn't offer native electromagnetic hold-open — requires separate magnet device). Parts availability slightly favors Rixson in the US; engineering is comparable. For new premium architectural specs where electromagnetic fire-alarm hold-open is required, dormakaba BTS80 EMB is often the spec. For standard commercial replacement where Rixson is already installed, stay with Rixson.
Can the PH27 low-force variant be used on my front entrance?
Almost certainly not. PH27 is specifically rated for ADA interior barrier-free applications only — NOT for fire-rated doors or exterior doors. Rixson explicitly warns that PH27's 8.5 lb opening force is not strong enough to reliably close fire-rated or exterior doors, and ADA accommodation doesn't apply to fire-rated openings (which have their own closing force requirement). If your front entrance is exterior or fire-rated (most commercial primary entries are at least one), use Model 27 standard. For ADA accessibility on exterior entries, pair a standard Model 27 with an auto operator — that's the code-compliant approach.
Do Rixson floor closers require frequent maintenance?
Less than surface closers, in our experience. Rixson floor closers are sealed units in rust-proof Cycolac cement cases — they're engineered to run 20-30 years without service under normal commercial loads. Common service scenarios: valve adjustment (every 3-5 years for optimal performance), spring force adjustment if door operation changes, full replacement around year 20-25 for exterior applications in harsh environments. For fire-rated installations, NFPA 80 annual inspection is required regardless of closer type.
Do you service Rixson center-hung (Model 28 / H28 / H40) closers?
Yes. Center-hung closers are typically on all-glass entries and double-acting doors — high-stakes applications where getting the spec right matters. Model 28 is single-acting (door swings one direction), H28 is heavy-duty single-acting, H40 is double-acting (door swings both directions, common on institutional corridors). Service involves the same floor access requirements as offset-hung; parts through ASSA ABLOY distribution. For premium all-glass storefront work where center-hung Rixson is the spec, we coordinate with glazing and hardware suppliers to maintain the architectural integrity of the entry.
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