PDQ 5501-BC-PA Grade 1 Commercial Closer, Full Cover, Tri Pack Arm

The PDQ 5501-BC-PA is a Grade 1 commercial door closer from the PDQ 5500 Series, specified with a full cover body, hydraulic backcheck, and parallel arm. If you searched "door closer measurement", "this kind", or "pdq sr 70"-the model code breaks down this way: 5501 = the 5500 Series base closer body. BC = backcheck, the hydraulic mechanism that slows the door before it reaches the fully open position. PA = parallel arm mounting. This is the version of the closer where the arm attaches to the door face with the shoe parallel to the closer body on the frame, rather than extending out at an angle.

Door Closer Measurement: What Size You Need

If you searched "door closer measurement"-this is the question every closer buyer needs answered first. Door closers are sized by door width and weight. The PDQ 5500 Series is a full-range adjustable closer, meaning a single closer body covers sizes 1 through 6 via spring adjustment. No separate size models to stock or order.

Size 1 covers lightweight interior doors. Size 2 and 3 are typical commercial interior doors. Size 4 handles heavier doors and exterior residential entry doors. Size 5 and 6 handle large heavy commercial and institutional doors. The 5500's adjustable spring means you set the closing force at installation to match the actual door. For ADA-accessible doors, the closer spring must be set so the door opens with no more than 5 pounds of force.

What BC and PA Mean in the Model Code

BC stands for backcheck. When someone pushes a door open too hard or a gust of wind catches it, backcheck engages as a hydraulic cushion before the door reaches its fully open stop. The cushion starts at about 70 degrees of opening and ramps up resistance as the door continues toward full open. Without backcheck, a door hitting a wall stop repeatedly will eventually damage the door, frame, closer arm, and hinges. The 5501-BC includes hydraulic backcheck as a separate adjustable valve on the closer body.

PA stands for parallel arm. In parallel arm mounting, the closer body mounts on the push side of the door (the side the door swings toward) and the arm attaches with the shoe running parallel to the closer. This is the standard configuration for doors where the closer can't mount on the pull side-a common situation on doors with overhead stops or doors that swing against a wall. Parallel arm typically requires a bit more closing force than a standard regular arm application, so size up if the door is heavy.

Tri-Pack: Three Mounting Positions in One Box

The PA suffix identifies parallel arm, but the tri-pack designation means this unit ships with hardware and templates for three mounting configurations: regular arm (closer on pull side of door), top jamb (closer mounts on the frame instead of the door), and parallel arm. You pick which mounting position works for your door and use the appropriate hardware set from the box. This makes the 5501-BC-PA a universal stocking item for distributors and a practical retrofit choice for buildings where the existing mounting varies by door.

PDQ SR 70 and Retrofit Compatibility

If you searched "pdq sr 70"-SR 70 refers to Super Rigid or similar arm designations within PDQ's closer arm family. The 5501 body uses a common 9-1/16 inch by 3/4 inch mounting hole pattern that retrofits directly onto Yale 50 and Norton 1600 Series closers without frame or door modification. This makes it a direct drop-in replacement for many common older commercial closers without any redrilling.

Specifications

Model: PDQ 5501-BC-PA

Series: PDQ 5500 Series Grade 1 Commercial Closer

Cover: Full cover, cast high-strength aluminum alloy

Backcheck: BC-hydraulic, separate adjustable valve, engages at approximately 70 degrees

Arm: PA-parallel arm (shoe parallel to closer body)

Sizes: 1 to 6, full range spring adjustment on one body

Mounting: Tri-packed-regular, top jamb, and parallel arm hardware included

Sweep Speed: Hydraulic, independently adjustable

Latch Speed: Hydraulic, independently adjustable

Backcheck: Adjustable

Optional: Delayed action available

ADA: Compliant when spring set per ADA 5-lb force requirement

Retrofit: Fits Yale 50, Norton 1600 mounting hole pattern

Grade: ANSI/BHMA Grade 1

Fire Rated: Yes, UL listed for fire door assemblies

Finish: Multiple standard finishes available

American Locksets has stocked PDQ 5500 Series door closers since launch.