A method for controlling a door, comprising the steps of storing energy during a manual opening of a door, sensing an object within a doorway, selectively applying a force derived from the
stored energy, to close the door, based on the sensing of an object in the doorway. The closure is preferably controlled by an electronic control. A door closing device comprising an
energy storage device for storing energy during door opening and releasing the
stored energy to subsequently close the door, a damping
system for damping a closure of the door, a sensor for detecting an object within a doorway, having an output, a controllable device for selectively restraining the
energy storage device from closing the door, and a
control system for controlling the controllable device based on the output.