Choosing the Right Door Coordinator: A Buyer’s Guide

Selecting the correct door coordinator is critical for maintaining fire safety codes and ensuring the longevity of your door hardware. A coordinator’s primary job is to manage the closing sequence of a pair of doors, ensuring the inactive leaf closes before the active leaf.

1. Bar Coordinators vs. Gravity Coordinators

• Bar Coordinators: These are the industry standard for most commercial applications. They consist of a metal tube (the bar) that hides the internal mechanism. They are preferred for their sleek look and are often used in office buildings and schools where aesthetics matter.
• Gravity Coordinators: These utilize a simple "swinging arm" design. When the doors open, the arm drops to hold the active leaf until the inactive leaf pushes it out of the way. These are extremely durable and cost-effective, making them ideal for industrial warehouses or back-of-house utility doors.

2. Measuring for Bar Coordinators

When ordering a bar coordinator (like the Rockwood 2600 series), the length of the coordinator should be based on the width of the opening, not the width of a single door leaf. Always check the manufacturer’s sizing chart to ensure the bar extends far enough to catch the active leaf correctly.

3. Essential Accessories

Most installations require more than just the coordinator itself:

• Filler Bars: Used to fill the remaining gap in the door frame for a uniform look.
• Mounting Brackets (MB): Required if you are installing other hardware, such as a surface-applied door closer or a parallel arm, over the coordinator.
• Carry Bars: Necessary if it’s possible to open the inactive leaf before the active leaf (to ensure the coordinator doesn't get jammed).

4. Code Compliance

For fire-rated openings, ensure your coordinator is UL Listed. Proper sequencing is not just about convenience; it is a life-safety requirement to ensure that fire doors latch correctly and maintain the smoke seal in the event of an emergency.