Norton Rixson 8501/8501H Multi-Sized Door Closer

The Norton Rixson 8501 is a Grade 1 multi-sized hydraulic door closer built for commercial and institutional openings. One closer covers power sizes 1 through 6, which means you can spec this single model across exterior entry doors, classroom doors, office doors, and interior passage doors without stocking multiple SKUs. Tri-Style packaging means it installs in regular arm, top jamb, or parallel arm configurations straight out of the same box. Non-handed, ANSI/BHMA A156.4 Grade 1 certified, UL 10C listed for fire doors, ADA compliant. 

What Is the Norton Rixson 8501 Door Closer

The 8501 is Norton's traditional-style surface-mounted hydraulic door closer to the 8500 Series. It controls door closing speed, latch speed, and backcheck using three independent valves, each adjustable in the field with a flat-blade screwdriver. The "multi-sized" part means a single closer body handles power sizes 1 through 6, so you set the closing force based on door width, weight, and environmental conditions like wind load or stack pressure. The closer ships are non-handed, so the same unit works on left-hand or right-hand doors. Combined with the Tri-Style mounting, the 8501 is one of the most flexible surface-mount door closers on the market for spec-consolidation projects.

Norton Rixson 8501 Specifications

• Power size: 1 through 6, field-adjustable

• Mounting: Tri-Style (regular arm, top jamb, parallel arm) included in box

• Handing: non-handed

• Valves: separate and independent latch speed, sweep speed, backcheck

• Sweep adjustment: full open down to approximately 10 degrees from closed

• Latch adjustment: approximately 10 degrees down to fully closed

• Backcheck: begins at approximately 75 degrees of door opening

• Piston diameter: 1-1/4"

• Pinion journals: 5/8"

• Cover projection: 2-1/8"

• Cover: molded high-impact UL listed plastic, non-handed

• Maximum door swing: 180 degrees (conditions permitting)

• Housing: cast aluminum alloy

• Certifications: ANSI/BHMA A156.4 Grade 1, ADA, ANSI A117.1, UL 10C, UBC-7-2 (1997) 3-hour assemblies, NYC MEA

• Manufactured in an ISO 9001 facility

• Warranty: 10-year limited

8501 vs 8501H Hold Open Arm Options

The standard 8501 ships with a regular arm plus PA (parallel arm) bracket, which means the door returns to closed every time. The 8501H is the hold-open version, which adds a friction hold feature so the door can be held open at a specified angle until manually released. The hold-open option is useful for high-traffic corridors, kitchen pass-throughs, loading dock doors, and any opening that frequently needs to stay open for extended periods. Important code note: hold-open arms are not permitted on fire-rated openings, so if the door is fire-labeled, you must use the standard 8501 without the hold-open arm.

Norton 8501 Finishes and Installation Types

Five painted finishes are available: 689 Silver Aluminum (standard), 690 Dark Bronze, 691 Light Bronze, 696 Satin Brass, and 693 Black. All finishes are factory-applied baked enamel over the aluminum alloy housing. Because the closer ships Tri-Style, the regular arm, top jamb mounting bracket, and parallel arm bracket with soffit plate are all in the same box. Choose your mounting configuration based on door and frame conditions at install time. For deep reveals, top jamb conditions, or non-standard soffit clearances, add the Norton 8146 drop plate to adjust the closer's mounting position.

Where to Buy the Norton Rixson 8501

We've stocked Norton Rixson door closers since 2001 and the 8501 ships same day from the Norton Rixson 8500 Series lineup.