Dormakaba TS93 Series Door Closer

The dormakaba TS93 is the cam action slide channel door closer series from dormakaba, the commercial hardware brand formed by the merger of DORMA and Kaba. If you searched "ts93", "dormakaba ts93", "dorma kaba ts93", "dorma door closer ts93", "ts93 emr", "dorma ts93", or "ts93 closer" - every product in this category is stocked and ships same day from American Locksets.

A note on branding: dormakaba TS93 is the same product line sold for decades under the DORMA name before DORMA and Kaba merged to form dormakaba in 2015. If your specification sheet or project documents reference "DORMA TS93" or "Dorma door closer TS93", the dormakaba TS93 is the current successor product.

Why the TS93 Is Different from a Standard Rack and Pinion Door Closer

Most surface-mounted door closers use a rack and pinion mechanism. The door arm rotates a pinion gear that drives a rack, compressing the spring and building hydraulic resistance as the door opens. The problem with rack and pinion in a slide channel (track arm) configuration is that the resistance curve is not optimized - the door requires the most force to push right at the beginning of opening, which is exactly where people expect it to feel easiest.

The TS93 uses cam action technology instead of rack and pinion. A heart-shaped steel cam and roller replace the rack gear. The cam profile is engineered so that the opening force required stays low and consistent throughout the opening arc, rather than spiking at the beginning. In real-world terms, a door equipped with the TS93 feels lighter to push than an equivalent rack and pinion closer even when both are set to the same spring size. The TS93 gives you regular arm operating efficiency - the energy efficiency of a parallel arm or slide channel configuration - with the low opening force that used to require a separate low-energy operator to achieve.

This is the key reason the TS93 is the standard closer specification for accessible buildings, healthcare facilities, schools, and any opening where regular use by elderly users, children, or people with mobility limitations is anticipated.

TS93 EMR: Electromechanical Hold Open for Fire and Smoke Doors

What the EMR Slide Channel Does

The TS93 EMR is the electromechanical hold-open version of the TS93. The EMR suffix designates the G-EMR slide channel assembly - an electromechanical hold-open device integrated into the track. The G-EMR holds fire and smoke doors open at a precisely set angle and releases them to close automatically when the fire alarm activates or when a smoke detector triggers the release signal.

The hold-open range on the G-EMR is set at 80 degrees - the door stays open at exactly that angle until released. When the alarm signal arrives, the electromechanical mechanism releases and the TS93 closer body drives the door to the closed and latched position. This makes the TS93 EMR system the correct specification for fire and smoke doors that need to remain open for circulation during normal building operation but must close and latch automatically in a fire event without any manual intervention.

The G-EMR can operate completely independently of other building systems. It accepts input from smoke detectors, fire alarm control panels, and building management systems via normally open or normally closed contact inputs. The G-EMF alternative slide channel is tested to EN 1155 for electrically powered hold-open devices and provides similar functionality with factory-certified fire door listings.

For very large or heavy doors over 2,500mm width, dormakaba recommends EM hold-open magnets in place of the electromechanical unit in the slide channel.

TS9315 vs TS9356: Choosing the Right Spring Size

TS9315 - Adjustable Size 1 to 5 for Barrier Free Applications

The TS9315 is the standard configuration for most commercial and institutional openings. Spring power is field adjustable from size 1 through size 5. This covers interior doors, standard exterior entry doors, and barrier-free accessible openings where ADA or equivalent accessibility codes require the door to open with 5 pounds or less of force. Setting the TS9315 to size 1 or 2 achieves the low opening force required for accessible doors while still providing positive controlled closing.

For barrier-free applications, the TS9315 is the correct specification. Size 1 through 5 gives the installer the full range needed to dial in exactly the right closing force for the specific door weight and conditions.

TS9356 - Adjustable Size 5 to 6 with 50 Percent Adjustment

The TS9356 is the heavy-duty configuration for large, heavy, or wide doors. Spring power is adjustable from size 5 through size 6 with 50 percent adjustment range. Correct for heavy exterior doors, oversized commercial entries, doors subject to wind resistance, and openings where size 5 alone is insufficient to reliably latch the door in all conditions.

Pull Side and Push Side Mounting Options

The TS93 is non-handed. The same closer body installs on left-hand and right-hand doors. Mounting configuration - pull side or push side - is selected at installation.

Pull side mounting places the closer on the pull side of the door (the face the door swings toward). This is the standard configuration. The closer body mounts to the door face and the track mounts to the door frame soffit.

Push side mounting places the closer on the push side (the face you push). The closer mounts to the door and the track mounts to the stop. Push side mounting creates a more tamper-resistant installation since the closer body is on the protected interior side of the opening rather than exposed to the exterior or public corridor. For exterior entrance doors on institutional and government facilities, push side mounting is frequently specified for this reason.

Two separate temperature-compensating, non-critical adjustment valves control sweep closing speed and latch closing speed independently. Adjustable backcheck engages at approximately 65 degrees of opening, cushioning the door before it reaches the fully open stop. Adjustable hydraulic delayed action is effective from approximately 120 degrees to 70 degrees - the door pauses in the open position for the set delay period before beginning its closing sweep. This is useful for accessibility, for loading dock doors, and for any opening where people need additional time to pass through.

Specifications Common to the TS93 Series

Cam action with steel cam and roller. Non-handed. Two independent temperature-compensating hydraulic valves (sweep and latch speed). Adjustable backcheck at approximately 65 degrees. Adjustable delayed action from approximately 120 to 70 degrees. Pull side and push side mounting available. TS9315: adjustable sizes 1-5. TS9356: adjustable sizes 5-6 with 50 percent adjustment. UL and CUL listed under continuing reinspection programs. Certified to ANSI/BHMA A156.4 Grade 1. Compatible with G-EMR and G-EMF electromechanical hold-open slide channel assemblies.

Frequently Asked Questions: Dormakaba TS93 Door Closer

Q: What is the dormakaba TS93? 

A cam action slide channel door closer. Uses a heart-shaped steel cam instead of rack and pinion, making doors easier to push open while retaining full controlled closing force.

Q: What is the difference between DORMA TS93 and dormakaba TS93?

 The same product. DORMA and Kaba merged in 2015 to form dormakaba. All former DORMA TS93 closers are now sold under the dormakaba brand name.

Q: What does cam action mean on a door closer?

 A steel cam and roller replace the rack gear. The cam profile keeps opening force low and consistent throughout the arc, unlike rack and pinion which spikes at the start of opening.

Q: What is the TS93 EMR? 

The EMR designates the G-EMR electromechanical hold-open slide channel. Holds fire and smoke doors open at 80 degrees and releases automatically on fire alarm or smoke detector signal.

Q: What is the difference between TS9315 and TS9356?

• TS9315 - adjustable size 1 to 5, for standard and barrier-free accessible doors

• TS9356 - adjustable size 5 to 6 with 50% range, for heavy or wide doors

Q: Is the TS93 ADA compliant for accessible doors?

 Yes. The TS9315 set to size 1 or 2 achieves the low opening force required for ADA accessible doors while still closing and latching reliably.

Q: What is backcheck on the TS93? 

An adjustable hydraulic cushion that engages at approximately 65 degrees, slowing the door before it reaches the full open stop. Protects door, frame, and closer from slam damage.