Garage Door Operator Safety

 

        A garage door is the largest moving object in the home. An improperly adjusted garage door opener can exert deadly force when the door closes - which could lead to entrapment of children or adults and subsequent injury or death from asphyxiation.

        Automatic garage door openers are installed in millions of households. Proper installation, operation, maintenance and testing of the automatic opener are necessary to provide a safe, trouble-free product. An improperly adjusted garage door opener can exert deadly force when the door closes. This could lead to serious injury or death from being hit by a closing garage door or from becoming trapped under the door.

        Careless operation and allowing children to play with or use garage door opener controls are also dangerous situations that can lead to tragic results. A few simple precautions can protect your family and friends from potential harm.

• Do NOT stand or walk under a moving door.

• Do NOT let children play "beat the door," it is very dangerous and can result in serious injury or death.

• Keep transmitters and remote controls out of the reach of children.

• Wall mounted controls should be placed out of the reach of children and away from all moving parts.

        For your family's safety, conduct the following tests at least once a month.

 

Safety Reverse Test

Place a one inch high object (or 2x4 laid flat) under the garage door. Operate the door in the DOWN direction. The door MUST reverse when it hits this obstruction.

If the door STOPS on the obstruction, increase down travel by adjusting the down limit on the operator.

When door reverses, remove the 2x4. Run the opener through a complete travel cycle 2-3 times to test adjustment.

If the door will not reverse or you don't feel confident in adjusting it yourself call a trained door system technician to come inspect it.

 

Emergency Release / Door Balance Test

Close Garage Door, hen pull down on the red emergency release handle. The trolley will disconnect. If you need to pull the emergency release handle when the door is open, make sure no one is standing in the way of door travel (Weak or broken springs could cause the door to fall rapidly or unexpectedly, resulting in serious injury, death, or property damage).

Raise and lower the door manually to see whether there is any binding or sticking.

Release door about halfway open to test for balance. It should stay in any point of travel, supported entirely by its springs.

The opener will reconnect automatically when the door control or remote control push button is pressed.

 

 

This important information is provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the National Safety Council and the Industry Coalition for Automatic Garage Door Opener Safety.

 

Tips

Adults should always set a good example.

Wall controls should be set at least 5 ft off the ground to keep small children from playing with them.

When operating the garage door opener, keep the door in sight until it completely opens or closes.

When an operator problem shows up, check the garage door cables, springs, rollers, pulleys, and other door hardware for signs of wear that may be interfering with the operation of the door opener.