Falcon SC71A-SS Door Closer - Spring Stop Arm

The Falcon SC71A-SS is the spring stop arm configuration in the SC71A heavy-duty door closer series. The "SS" isn't just an arm style designation. It identifies a specific forged parallel arm with an integral spring built into the arm assembly that provides cushioned resistance when the door approaches its maximum opening position. When a door is pushed open hard, the spring in the arm absorbs the impact energy rather than letting the door slam into a hard stop or transferring the impact force directly into the door frame. The door still opens fully. The spring just slows it down as it reaches the travel limit.

This arm is specifically described in the product specifications as designed for "high volume traffic or potentially abusive installation conditions." That's institutional language for doors in school corridors, hospital wings, commercial lobbies, and any high-traffic opening where doors routinely get pushed open with force and the hardware needs to absorb that without failure. The SC71A-SS is the correct arm specification for those applications. For all Falcon door closers, browse our door closers catalog. For all standard surface door closers, view our standard door closers catalog.

Spring Stop vs Dead Stop: Choosing the Right Arm

The SC71A Series includes two types of mechanical stop arms. The SC71A-DS is the dead stop arm: a rigid mechanical stop that halts the door at a fixed maximum opening position. The SC71A-SS (this product) is the spring stop arm: the door travels to its maximum position but the spring in the arm cushions the final approach.

Dead stop arms are appropriate when the maximum opening position needs to be strictly controlled and a hard stop is acceptable for the application. Spring stop arms are appropriate when the door opening environment involves frequent hard pushes and a cushioned stop reduces wear on the arm, the closer body, the door, and the frame over years of use. On openings where doors regularly contact the stop at high force, the spring stop arm absorbs that impact cycle after cycle without fatiguing the way a rigid dead stop connection does.

Falcon SC71A-SS Specifications

• SKU: SC71A SS AL

• Also known as: SC71A-SS, SC71 SS, Falcon SC71A spring stop, Dor-o-matic SC71A-SS

• Series: Falcon SC70A, heavy-duty Grade 1

• Arm type: Spring stop (SS), integral spring, non-adjustable forearm assembly

• Handing: Non-handed; works on left or right swinging doors

• Mounting: Hinge side, top jamb, or parallel arm

• Spring size: Adjustable sizes 1 through 6

• Body: Single-piece cast aluminum

• Piston: 1-1/2" diameter, heat-treated forged steel

• Pinion: Double heat-treated

• Valves: Staked; separate adjustable general speed, latch speed, and backcheck

• Cover: High-impact UL listed fire retardant plastic

• Grade: ANSI/BHMA A156.4, Grade 1

• ADA: ANSI A117.1 compliant

• UL: Listed; UL 10C and UBC 7-2 (1997) fire test compliant

• Fluid: UL 10C approved

• Warranty: 10 years

• Fasteners: Universal screw pack for aluminum, hollow metal, and wood doors

• Finish: AL Silver Aluminum Painted

SC71A vs SC61A: Which Closer Series

The SC71A and SC61A are both Falcon Grade 1 surface closers but built to different capacity levels. The SC61A covers standard commercial duty applications with sizes 1 through 6 and is the appropriate specification for most interior commercial doors. The SC71A is the heavier-duty closer in the same series with a larger piston (1-1/2") and a higher-strength forged arm system designed for applications where the SC61A would be undersized. The SC71A-SS spring stop arm in particular is positioned at the highest-capacity end of the SC71A line for doors where the combination of heavy duty closer and impact-absorbing arm both matter.

SC71A Series Arm Comparison

The SC71A is available in multiple arm configurations depending on the application requirement:

SC71A RWPA is the regular arm with parallel arm shoe for standard parallel arm mounting on the push side of the door. SC71A HWPA adds a hold-open function to the parallel arm configuration. SC71A HDPA is the heavy-duty parallel arm for heavier doors. SC71A-DS is the dead stop arm for rigid maximum opening control. SC71A-SS (this product) is the spring stop arm for cushioned maximum opening control on high-traffic and high-force applications. SC71A DSHO combines dead stop with hold-open capability.