Rixson Firemark

Rixson Firemark represents a unique merger of two specialized door control manufacturers that revolutionized fire and life safety hardware. Founded in 1900 by Oscar Rixson, a Finnish architect in Chicago, Illinois, the company initially produced surface door closers and window hardware before pioneering concealed door control systems that preserved architectural aesthetics. In the mid-1970s, Rixson acquired Firemark, an innovative business specializing in fire safety equipment, to meet emerging fire and life-safety standards. This strategic acquisition led to the development of Rixson's Smok-Chek series, the industry's first closer/holder combination product, which holds fire doors open during normal operations but automatically releases them to close when activated by fire alarm systems. The products carry UL and cUL fire-ratings for up to 3 hours and meet CAL FIRE certification 3550-0047:0015 standards, ensuring compliance with critical safety requirements for commercial and institutional applications. Key product models include the 0600 and 0601 Smok-Chek V series (24VAC/DC or 120VAC options), FM-980 electromagnetic door releases, 990-998 series door holders, and the Checkmate 99 series electrified holders. Now operating as Norton Rixson under the ASSA ABLOY Group, the company remains North America's leading provider of concealed closers, pivots, and electromechanical door holders, serving government facilities, healthcare institutions, educational buildings, and commercial properties where code compliance, fire safety, and aesthetic design converge. Their specialized solutions meet NFPA standards for fire door assemblies and provide both detectored and non-detectored options for integration with existing fire alarm systems.