Falcon SC81A RWPA Door Closer - Regular With Parallel Arm Shoe

The Falcon SC81A RWPA is the standard parallel arm configuration in the SC80A Series medium-duty door closer line. The closer body mounts to the door face on the push side. The arm connects from the closer body to the parallel arm shoe on the door frame head, and the arm runs parallel to the door face rather than at an angle. This is the push-side installation: the side the door swings toward. For doors where the pull side is not accessible for closer mounting or where push-side installation is specified for architectural reasons, the RWPA parallel arm configuration is the correct pick.

The SC81A sits between the SC61A (standard commercial duty) and the SC71A (heavy duty) in the Falcon SC Series lineup. The SC80 Series is positioned for medium-duty commercial applications: retail storefronts, cafes, clinics, restrooms, office interiors, side entry doors, and any opening where Grade 1 certification is required but the higher-capacity SC71A is over-specified. For all Falcon and commercial door closers, browse our door closers catalog. For all standard surface door closers, view our standard door closers catalog.

What RWPA Means and How It Installs

RWPA stands for Regular arm with Parallel Arm bracket. The arm assembly includes an adjustable forearm that accommodates different door thicknesses and frame conditions without requiring custom machining or spacers on standard installations. The parallel arm bracket mounts to the door frame head. The closer body mounts to the door face near the top hinge corner. The standard Tri-Pack that ships with the SC81A RWPA includes the arm and bracket for regular pull-side, top jamb, and parallel arm mounting, so the installer has all three mounting configurations covered from a single part order.

Retrofitting Norton 8000 Series Closers

The SC81A retrofits the Norton 8000 Series hole pattern. On renovation and replacement projects where an existing Norton 8000 Series closer is being replaced, the SC81A mounts in the same holes without redrilling the door or frame. This makes the SC81A a practical replacement closer to buildings that were originally specified with Norton hardware, and it eliminates the door prep work that a non-compatible replacement would require.

Falcon SC81A RWPA Specifications

• SKU: SC81A RWPA AL (also available in DKB, BR, MTBK; FC Full Cover option available)

• Also known as: SC81A RW/PA, SC81 RWPA, SC81A-RWPA, Falcon SC81 regular parallel arm, sc81 closer

• Series: Falcon SC80A, medium duty

• Arm: RWPA, Regular arm with parallel arm shoe; adjustable forearm assembly

• Grade: ANSI/BHMA A156.4, Grade 1

• ADA: ANSI A117.1 compliant

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

• Cover: High-impact UL listed fire retardant plastic

• Piston: 1-1/4" diameter, heat-treated steel

• Pinion: Heat-treated

• Body: Single-piece cast aluminum

• Spring size: Adjustable sizes 1 through 6

• Door width range: Interior doors up to 5'0"; exterior doors up to 4'0"

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

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

• Speed controls: Separate adjustable general speed, latch speed, and backcheck

• Valves: Staked

• Fasteners: Universal screw pack; self-reaming and tapping screws for aluminum, hollow metal, and wood doors

• Warranty: 10 years

• Retrofit: Compatible with Norton 8000 hole pattern

• Resources: Falcon Door Closers Catalog in Resources section

SC81A vs SC61A vs SC71A: Choosing the Right Series

The SC61A is the standard commercial duty closer with a larger piston (1-1/2") and higher cycle capacity for heavy-use commercial doors. Wait, let me correct this. The SC81A has a 1-1/4" piston. The SC71A has a 1-1/2" forged steel piston. The SC61A is actually lighter duty.

The SC61A handles standard commercial doors in light-to-medium traffic. The SC81A is the medium-duty step up: same Grade 1 certification, higher piston rating than SC61A, correct for retail storefronts, clinic entrances, and office building side doors. The SC71A is the heavy-duty closure for high-traffic institutional doors where the SC81A would be undersized over time. Matching the closer series to the actual door traffic load prevents premature wear and maintenance callbacks.