A door arm is the mechanical arm that links a swing door operator to the door panel. It transfers the operator’s motion into the door’s swing. Two setups are common:
- A push-arm reaches out and pushes the door open.
- A pull-arm rides in a slide or track along the door.
What happens when a door arm breaks?
A broken door arm stops driving the door. The door then opens only by manual force. It also fails to close on its own. On some setups, the risks and hazards can be more significant. A broken arm can swing into the glass and crack or shatter it. It can also strike a pedestrian and cause injury. If your door arm is not working as it should, place caution signage on the door and discourage passage through the entry until repaired. Contact an experienced technician immediately.
How do you maintain a door arm?
Push-arm applications are the most common by far. A pull-arm suits doors with limited overhead clearance. Pull-arm systems run dry by design. A light spray lubricant helps relieve friction in some cases. However, binding in the system usually points to a deeper problem.
When an arm sticks or won’t close, check for any visible, loose screws first. Fix the cause instead of masking it with lubricant.