Problem resolution
There are many possible solutions, but only one that fits your requirements perfectly. At DICTATOR, we are happy to advise you personally to ensure that our products are perfectly tailored to your requirements.
Here are some typical problems that our customers turn to us with. Even if your problem is not listed here, with our wide range of standard and made-to-measure products and our decades of experience, we can help you with numerous problems relating to the movement of doors, gates, flaps and more! Please contact us for an individual consultation.
Problem resolution by category
Problem
Sliding doors should close automatically – mechanically, without electricity
Sliding doors often remain open. However, there are many reasons why they should be closed, for example:
- to prevent unnecessary heating due to temperature loss because the door is opened.
- to optimize the use of air conditioning in cold aisle containments for server installations or data processing centres.
- to ensure privacy and an optimum working and hygienic conditions in examination and emergency rooms of hospitals.
- …and many more (as e.g. to prevent birds from flying into a building, e.g. in a church).
An automated door operator needs electricity. This means that an electrical connection is required on every door and power is consumed. And a door operator on a highly frequented door needs to be serviced often.
Solution
Sliding door closer DICTAMAT 50 closes sliding doors automatically, without electricity
The mechanical door closer for sliding doors DICTAMAT 50 easily adapts to the respective door situation – thanks to the many models. The DICTAMAT 50 needs no electricity for closing – no connection to the mains is required. The closing speed is adjustable, thus ensuring optimal safety for people and goods.
The main advantages of sliding door closer DICTAMAT 50
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Problem
How can the maximum clearance of sliding doors be used so that they disappear completely into the wall pocket and can be pulled out of the wall pocket again to close them without a spring handle?
Sliding doors are a very space-saving solution, as they do not require as much free space to open and close as hinged doors. Pocket sliding doors in particular, which disappear completely into the wall, don’t just save a lot of space, they also meet the highest architectural and visual demands. But how can you use the maximum clear passage width without a spring handle to close the door again? How do you get the door out of the wall pocket if the door does not have a spring handle?
Solution
DICTATOR release buffer as a bumper with push-to-open function for pulling sliding doors out of wall pockets
The DICTATOR release buffer is the ideal solution for this problem. It is installed invisibly on the opening edge of the door (the edge that is hidden in the wall). The door can be opened completely, it is recessed completely into the wall pocket and held open there by the magnet of the release buffer. When the door needs to be closed again, all you need to do is press lightly against the visible edge of the door. This allows the full passage width of the sliding door to be used without any problems.
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The most important advantages of the DICTATOR release buffer
Problem
“We have to limit the opening angle of the doors to prevent them from damaging the adjacent construction. But we cannot use floor door stops as these would be tripping hazards in the escape path.”
Solution
Back checks limit the opening angle without door stoppers
The DICTATOR back checks are fixed on top of the door to the door and the frame. They make sure that the doors don’t open in an uncontrolled manner and they limit the opening angle so the doors cannot hit walls, façades, windows etc. and damage them.
How to get the right back check for your application
The main advantages of DICTATOR back checks
Further information on back checks
Application examples
Wind no longer allowed to play at the Conservatorio del Liceo in Barcelona
Back check watches over the entrance door to a daycare center
Back checks protect high-tech systems for environmental simulation
Back check protects garden shed from damage
Problem
Door is thrown open and can cause damage / accidents
When doors are used in school buildings, daycare centers or kindergartens, it can sometimes get quite lively. Everyone wants to get out first. Doors are thrown open without consideration, the most important thing is to do it quickly. Even door closers with soft-close mechanisms can’t cope with this rush.
The result: broken overhead door closers, torn door hinges, damage to walls or facades behind the open door and, in the worst case, even injuries.
Solution
Back checks for controlled opening of hinged doors
DICTATOR back checks ensure that doors don’t swing open without control. If the door is opened “normally”, the back check operates “unnoticeably”. It does not increase the amount of force required. However, if the door is flung open at high speed, the back check intervenes and dampens the door movement in a controlled manner.
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How to get the right back check for your application
The main advantages of DICTATOR back checks
Further information on back checks
Application examples
Wind no longer allowed to play at the Conservatorio del Liceo in Barcelona
Back check watches over the entrance door to a daycare center
Back checks protect high-tech systems for environmental simulation
Back check protects garden shed from damage
Problem
Door slams open and causes damage to the door itself, the hardware or the façade
In the present case, the door of a store opens outwards. In windy conditions it slammed open and the lever of the overhead door closer was torn out of its fixing to the door. The result: until the repair, the door is constantly open because people forget to close it by hand, cold air constantly enters the business premises and as a result it has to be heated unnecessarily, a costly repair needs to get done because the previous fastening holes on the door can no longer be used.
Solution
DICTATOR back checks prevent doors from slamming open
A DICTATOR back check is fitted alongside a new overhead door closer. Now, when the door is hit by a gust of wind, the back check slows it down and brings it to a cushioned stop when the correct opening angle is reached. This prevents the overhead door closer from being damaged. It works perfectly together with the back check, because DICTATOR supplies special fixing accessories for such cases.
Of course, DICTATOR will also calculate the correct fixing points for your particular application and recommend the required fixing accessories, so that installation can be carried out quickly and without any problems.
A gust of wind blew the outward-opening door open too far. The result: door is broken and can’t be used
How to get the right back check for your application
The main advantages of DICTATOR back checks
Further information on back checks
Application examples
Wind no longer allowed to play at the Conservatorio del Liceo in Barcelona
Back check watches over the entrance door to a daycare center
Back checks protect high-tech systems for environmental simulation
Back check protects garden shed from damage
Problem
Door is flung open by wind
Many buildings have doors that open to the outside (e.g. emergency exit doors, entrance doors of public buildings, etc). When these doors are knocked open by gusts of wind, heavy damage can occur.
Possible consequences of a door opening without control:
- The door is knocked open by a gust of wind or by storm and crashes into the façade or an object being in the range of the door (e.g. a car). The consequences: torn-out hinges, damaged overhead door closers, broken panes in case of glass doors, damaged façades etc.
- The opening door hits a passerby or is torn out of the hand of the person who is opening it. This can cause considerable injuries.
Solution
Back checks against doors that slam open
Installing a back check – with or without regulation. As soon as the opening speed of the door leaf exceeds a certain value, the back check goes into action and slows the opening motion of the door with a controlled speed. There is a fitting model for every application.
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How to get the right back check for your application
The main advantages of DICTATOR back checks
Further information on back checks
Application examples
Wind no longer allowed to play at the Conservatorio del Liceo in Barcelona
Back check watches over the entrance door to a daycare center
Back checks protect high-tech systems for environmental simulation
Back check protects garden shed from damage
Problem
What to do if doors slam open without control despite the door closer’s soft-closing function?
Some door closers have an integrated opening damper that can be adjusted using a screw. In many cases, however, this opening damper is not enough to slow down a door that catches the wind or is thrown open with force.
There is then a risk that the rapid impact of the open door could damage the façade, the door and the overhead door closer or injure people next to the door.
Damaged overhead door closer on door opened by wind
Solution
Reliable door opening damping thanks to DICTATOR back checks
Back checks, which are available in various sizes and widths, reliably cushion even large/heavy doors when they open too quickly and limit the opening angle.
Back checks can also be used together with overhead door closers. It is important to choose the right fixing accessories for the space available for the door, the frame and the installed overhead door closer.
Depending on the door situation and the position of the door closer, different fixing accessories are used for back checks.
How to get the right back check for your application
The most important advantages of DICTATOR back checks
Further information on back checks
Application examples
Wind no longer allowed to play at the Conservatorio del Liceo in Barcelona
Back check watches over the entrance door to a daycare center
Back checks protect high-tech systems for environmental simulation
Back check protects garden shed from damage
Problem
Door slams shut – a frequent problem in many buildings
Slamming doors can be startling and, if it happens frequently, it quickly becomes very annoying.
Moreover, slamming doors also cause a strain on the door, the frame and the hinges. The most common reason for a slamming door is a heavy-handed user who exerts more force than necessary to close it.
Also, if a window in the room or a door elsewhere in the house is open, pressure changes could be to blame. As air moves from areas with a difference in pressure, the change can cause enough air movement to slam the door.
Solution
Door dampers: the solution against slamming doors for a smooth, soft close of doors
DICTATOR door dampers are a reliable anti-slam solution. They offer a smooth, soft close of doors. They prevent doors from slamming no matter the cause, be it by wind pressure, heavy-handed users or door closer devices that have been installed. It operates in the last 10° of closing, ensuring that the door fully closes and holding them closed every time.
The main advantages of door dampers
Overview of standard models
| VS 2000 | V 1600 | R 1400 | Z 1000 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product picture |  |  |  |  |
| To the product | To the product | To the product | To the product | |
| Door side for door damper's installation | pull side** | pull side** | push side** | pull side** |
| Position of door in relation to the frame | overlapping, flush | overlapping, flush, recessed | overlapping, flush, recessed | overlapping, flush, recessed |
| Door dampers' mounting position | vertical, horizontal (20 N, 35 N, 50 N) | vertical, horizontal (with special cylinder) | vertical, horizontal | vertical |
| Closing force (in N) | 20, 35, 50, 80, 115 | 20, 50, 80, 115 | 20, 35, 50, 80 | 20, 50, 80 |
| Door damper's design | completely encased | encased cylinder | encased cylinder | visible cylinder |
| Stainless steel | no | yes | yes | no |
| Finishes |  polished chrome, chromium-plated, white, grey, brown, black, more upon request |  polished chrome, chromium-plated, stainless steel, white, grey, brown, black, more upon request |  polished chrome, chromium-plated, stainless steel, white, grey, brown, black |  nickel-plated, zinc-plated |
** Position of the door
Overlapping door
Flush door
Recessed doors
Problem
Arched door needs a door closer and conventional overhead door closers are not suitable
Normally it is not possible to install traditional overhead door closers onto arched doors (or only when “inventing” a special construction). And this would considerably affect the special aesthetics of an arched door. And, when the arch is pronounced, there is virtually no possibility.
Solution
Door closer DIREKT for arched doors
With the DIREKT door closer this problem can be easily solved. It doesn’t require any lever arms. One end is fixed to the door frame or the wall and the other one on the door leaf. The closing speed can be adjusted exactly to the requirements on site. And the DIREKT door closer makes sure the door is always reliably closed.
Until recently, a sign reminded users to always close the door, because it is normally not possible to mount an overhead door closer on such a distinctive arched door.
Overhead door closers are very difficult to install on arched doors. Thanks to the door closer DIREKT, the door now closes automatically. DICTATOR also calculated the exact fixing points for the DIREKT as part of their service.
How to get the right door closer DIREKT for your application
The main advantages of the door closer DIREKT
Problem
Front door closes too quickly and slams loudly when closing
Front doors with overhead door closers often close too quickly and slam loudly when they close – or they don’t close completely. In apartment buildings, this often leads to arguments between neighbors, who are woken from their sleep by slamming front doors. A door that closes too quickly also makes it difficult to go through with shopping or baby strollers, for example. And people who are less agile have problems walking through the door without being pushed by it.
Solution
Door closer DIREKT closes front doors softly and quietly
The door closer DIREKT is often used on outer gates, but is also suitable for front doors or entrance doors. It ensures an evenly damped closing action and also that the door is still closed securely at the end despite the slow closing speed – without slamming. This not only prevents noise disturbance, but also injuries caused by slamming doors.
Front door with gate closer DIREKT
How to get the right door closer DIREKT for your application
The main advantages of the door closer DIREKT
Problem
Heavy hinged door should close automatically
Hinged doors that open outwards and are therefore sometimes exposed to high wind loads can overwhelm normal hinged door operators. The wind prevents them from opening or closing correctly and, in the worst case, can damage the door and façade or even cause injuries to people standing next to the door.
Solution
DICTATOR door operators for large / heavy hinged doors
For such applications DICTATOR offers a special hinged door operator, the DICTAMAT 310-21 XXL. It braves winds of up to 9 Beaufort. The driving unit achieves its power by means of a special gearbox. Safety sensors which supervise the whole door area ensure safety.
How to get the right door operator for your application
The main advantages of door operator DICTAMAT 310-21 XXL
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Problem
Garden gates / outer gates are often left open when they shouldn’t
This is not only annoying but, in some cases, can be dangerous if, for example, there are children or pets in the premises.
When choosing a closing solution for outer gates you should take a few points into consideration:
- Outdoor use: Is the gate closer suitable for outdoor use, i.e. weather conditions and temperature fluctuations?
- Mounting conditions: Is the gate closer suitable for the particular gate (dimensions, weight) and its supports?
- Closing speed: Can the closing speed be adjusted so that you can pass through the gate comfortably and without the risk of the gate slamming shut fast?
Solution
The gate closer DIREKT is the ideal outer gate closer
DICTATOR’s gate closer DIREKT is perfect for use as a gate closer outdoors. It ensures that fence doors, garden gates, and access gates are not left open, but always reliably close automatically.
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How to get the gate closer DIREKT for your application
The main advantages of the gate closer DIREKT
Problem
Fire door slams shut or does not close completely
There are several situations in which fire doors don’t close completely, in spite of an overhead door closer:
- The doors form an airlock where two fire doors are situated within a short distance. When the first door is opened and closed again while the second door remains closed, an air cushion develops which may prevent the complete closing of the door. However, when the second door is open, the first door often slams shut loudly.
- An access door to a small room with a window. Depending on whether the window is open or closed, the same aforementioned situation can occur.
Solution
DICTATOR door dampers for fire doors
By now, many manufacturers of fire protection or smoke control doors have included the DICTATOR door check in their door approval or manufacturer’s declaration as complement to the spring hinge or the overhead door closer. The DICTATOR door dampers V 1600 and V 1600F assure the final closing of the door by pulling it shut until it is securely closed. There won’t be no more partially open fire doors. And it also prevents the door from slamming shut in case both doors are open.
The main advantages of door dampers for fire doors
Further information
Problem:
Fire doors inevitably deform under the high temperatures during fire tests. However, these deformations may only reach such an point, so that the fire protection in adjacent fire compartments is still maintained. For example, there must be no gap between door leaf and frame that would allow fire to spread.
Especially very high and wide T30 doors reach their load limit very quickly due to their lighter construction and, during the fire test, inadmissibly large gaps normally form. The same applies to double-leaf systems, as there is no stop between both leafs and the fitting elements have to absorb all forces by themselves.
Consequence: Fire / smoke can propagarte through these openings. The fire or smoke protection property of the door is thus not achieved and the door does not pass the test.
The lower part the door leaf is clearly deformed and bulged to the outside. With a HLS thermal bolting the door leaf would have stayed fixed to the frame.
Here, a gap developed in the upper part so that the smoke can spread through it.
DICTATOR solution:
As soon as the temperature rises to approx. 600 °C, the DICTATOR HLS thermal bolting ensures that the door leaf is securely fixed to the frame and cannot deform in such a way that dangerous gaps develop.
In addition, the HLS locking system offers manufacturers a great advantage: The construction of the doors may be made lighter, and don’t have to be designed as stable against warping and deformation and still meet the requirements for their fire resistance class. This saves costs, especially for material, and reduces the weight of the door.
Problem
Fire doors are held open by wedges or other objects
It still happens far too often that fire doors are held open by wedges or other objects. This is because in many buildings it is necessary to keep a fire or smoke barrier (temporarily) open.
However, doors held open in this way not only allow people or goods to pass through easily, but also smoke and fire in the event of a fire. If a fire breaks out in a building, it can spread rapidly if a fire door is left open, for example. A danger for people and, of course, for the building and everything in it.
And there is also a legal problem: anyone who keeps a fire or smoke protection open without authorization is liable to prosecution! Wedged doors can also void insurance coverage.
Solution
Hold-open systems ensure safety for fire protection closures
Hold-open systems keep fire and smoke doors open during normal operation and ensure that they close automatically in the event of a fire. They provide convenient access to doors and gates located between fire zones and always close automatically in the event of a fire.
Here you can see an example of a hold-open system on a hinged door. It is made up of the following components:
Our services for hold-open systems
Further information
Application examples
Hold-open systems are not only needed on doors
EX hold-open system keeps watch in the FIZ of BMW
Robust and resistant hold-open systems in schools
Ex-proof hold-open systems in storehouse for chemicals
Hold-open systems protect people and goods
Problem
A flap should drop down controlled and cushioned
Falling flaps can be very dangerous, especially if they are large and/or heavy. In addition, the movement of such flaps requires a great deal of force. And above all, if a flap falls down unhindered, it can cause damage that would be costly and time-consuming to repair.
Solution
Oil damper for effortless and safe downward movement of flaps/heavy objects
Oil dampers ensure that flaps / heavy objects do not drop without control when let go and possibly cause injury or damage. They dampen the movement over the entire travel.
The most important advantages of DICTATOR oil dampers
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Problem
Floor hatch needs to be moved easily.
To create more usable space, stairs to basements can be fitted with covers, be it with wooden planks, grating or similar. These flaps are often large and heavy and therefore difficult to operate as they require too much manual force. They can also be a potential accident hazard if they fall shut or are operated incorrectly.
Solution
Floor hatches move easily thanks to DICTATOR gas springs
Thanks to DICTATOR gas springs, the hatches can be opened and closed easily with very little manual force. Damped closing prevents the flap from falling shut and potentially injuring someone. It is also possible to keep the flap stable in the open position – but it can be closed without much effort.
At DICTATOR we manufacture the gas springs for your application according to your requirements. This also includes calculating the exact fixing points for easy installation and perfect function.
How to get the perfect gas springs for your application
The most important advantages of DICTATOR gas springs
Further information on gas springs
Problem
A heavy flap should be easily opened
In many areas, e.g. in the industrial sector, there are heavy flaps that cannot be opened easily by hand due to their weight. Operating them manually would entail risks to safety and pose an increased injury hazard due to their weight. In addition, it is often necessary to keep the flap open for workflow purposes.
Solution
Gas springs – reliable support for the safe opening of heavy flaps
Gas springs make physical work easier when opening heavy flaps, e.g. on industrial machinery or floor hatches for basement access. They also ensure smooth movement in many places and provide safety, as they prevent the flap from falling down unhindered and allow the flap to be held open without having to be held.
How to get the right gas springs for your application
The most important advantages of DICTATOR gas springs
Frequent problems with the movement of doors, gates, flaps and more
