About this item
The Norton Rixson 8501 is a Grade 1 multi-sized hydraulic surface door closer adjustable through power sizes 1 through 6, housed in a cast aluminum alloy body with a molded high-impact plastic cover. It ships as a Tri-Style package with hardware for regular arm, top jamb, and parallel arm mounting configurations in the same box. Non-handed. Three independent field-adjustable valves control sweep speed, latch speed, and backcheck. Certified to ANSI/BHMA A156.4 Grade 1, UL 10C for 3-hour fire door assemblies, ADA compliant per ANSI A117.1, NYC MEA listed, and manufactured in an ISO 9001 facility. Ten-year limited warranty. The 8501H is the hold open arm variant.
What makes the 8501 a multi-sized closer and how power adjustment works
The power size on a door closer determines the closing force applied to the door. A Size 1 closer applies light force suitable for lightweight interior doors. A Size 6 closer applies heavy force appropriate for large, heavy exterior doors subject to wind load. A single-sized closer is factory-configured for one power level. The 8501 covers the full range from Size 1 through Size 6 through field adjustment, so the same closer body can be installed on a lightweight interior passage door or a heavy exterior storefront door and tuned to match the actual closing conditions after installation.
This matters most on projects where multiple door types need closers. Ordering one SKU that covers all power sizes reduces procurement complexity, simplifies parts inventory for the building's ongoing maintenance, and allows the installer to set closing force based on observed conditions rather than predicted conditions from a specification stage. For doors subject to seasonal wind load changes, the field-adjustable spring means closing force can be retuned without replacing the closer.
Three independent valves and how to use them on the 8501
The 8501 uses three separate, independent valves, each adjustable in the field with a flat-blade screwdriver. The sweep speed valve governs the door's movement from the fully open position down to approximately 10 degrees from the closed position. The latch speed valve governs the final 10 degrees of travel into the frame and strike. Adjusting latch speed independently from sweep speed lets the installer set a fast initial close that slows precisely at the end to ensure reliable latching without slamming.
The backcheck valve activates at approximately 75 degrees of door opening and provides hydraulic cushioning when the door is pushed open quickly or forcibly. Without backcheck, a door pushed open rapidly at speed will impact the stop at full force, which damages the door, frame, and closer arm over time. The backcheck cushion decelerates the door before it reaches the stop. All three valves are accessible on the closer body with the cover in place.
8501 vs 8501H hold open arm and fire door compliance
The standard 8501 ships with a non-hold open arm plus a parallel arm bracket. The door returns to the closed position after every use, which is the required configuration for fire-rated door assemblies. All 8501 units with non-hold open arms are UL 10C listed for labeled fire doors to UBC-7-2 (1997) for 3-hour assemblies. If the door is fire-labeled, the standard 8501 is the correct specification and the 8501H must not be used.
The 8501H is the hold open arm variant. It adds a friction hold feature that allows the door to be held open at a set angle until manually released, which is useful for high-traffic service corridors, loading areas, and interior doors that frequently need to stay open. The hold open arm is not permitted on fire-rated openings under any circumstance. The 8501H is ordered using the H suffix at time of order. Five finishes are available: 689 silver aluminum, 690 dark bronze painted, 691 light bronze painted, 696 satin brass painted, and 693 black painted. For deep reveal or non-standard soffit conditions, the Norton 8146 drop plate adjusts the closer's mounting position without replacing the closer body.
For the complete range of 8500 Series configurations and accessories, browse the Norton Rixson 8500 Series catalog. The full Norton Rixson door closers section covers all surface, concealed, and low-energy closer options across the Norton line. The broader standard door closers selection covers additional brands and configurations available on this site.
Select your finish and arm type (standard or 8501H hold open) when ordering. Confirm whether the door is fire-rated before specifying the hold open variant.
Trusted Since 2001
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