Garage Door Safety Considerations

There are several features to look for when choosing a garage door. The garage should be attractive. It should protect the home from break-ins and bad weather. It must also be safe. 

If your garage door isn’t safe, it may fall on your car as you enter or exit the driveway. It may also close on a pet or child in its path. 

So, how do you know if your garage door is safe? There are some key garage door safety features to look out for. This article will cover some key considerations. 

Common Garage Door Safety Features and Mechanisms

Safety Eyes

Automatic garage doors feature infrared safety eyes that see when something is in the garage door's path. When an object is detected, the garage door will reverse to avoid contact.

If the safety eye is not properly installed, it won’t function as it should. Each eye should be mounted six inches above the ground. They must also be aligned. 

You can test your safety eyes by inserting a stick or another type of object in the garage door’s path. The garage should reverse when it detects the object. If it doesn’t, the eyes could be out of alignment, or they may need to be cleaned. 

You can clean the lenses with a microfiber cloth. Consult this video to find out how to realign them. 

Force Settings

Force settings work with your safety eyes to ensure your garage door will stop closing when it detects something in its path. You can test this feature by placing a block of wood or brick in the garage’s path to ensure it will reverse and reopen. If the reverse feature does not work, the force setting may require an adjustment. 

Instructions for adjusting your garage door should be in your owner’s manual. You can also follow the steps in this video. 

Generally, you must locate the screws on the back panel of your garage door motor. The left screw, or up arrow, is open force. The right screw or down arrow is close force. 

Follow your manual instructions to test the open and close force of your settings. The manual will guide you on the necessary adjustments based on your door’s performance. Once the repair is complete, retest the door to ensure it is working. 

Balance

Your garage door’s weight must be evenly distributed to ensure there is no excess tension on the springs. Too much strain can cause the door to become lopsided. It can even break the spring or cable and cause the door to fall on someone or something. 

Owners should test their garage door’s balance regularly. This video provides a step-by-step guide. If the door is not balanced, it may require a professional repair. 

Emergency Release Cord

An emergency release cord is used to manually reverse a garage door’s movement. It comes in handy if the system is disconnected or not working. It disconnects the trolley from its attachment point so the door can slide along the track. 

Regular Garage Door Maintenance

Any garage door component can become damaged and cause the door to break and fall. Choose a door from a brand you can trust for durable construction. 

Regular maintenance will also prevent dangerous situations. Here are some maintenance tips to follow:

• Check the hardware to ensure nothing looks worn, rusted, or broken. 
• Lubricate the chain or belt. Make adjustments if necessary. 
• Service the seals and springs.
• Replace batteries and bulbs in your garage and remote. 
• Fix stuck wheels that may interfere with your garage door motion.
• Adjust the door opening and closing speeds if necessary.

If you don’t feel comfortable performing these fixes and repairs, call a trained professional. 

Look for Garage Door Safety Standards and Certifications

UL 325 is the main garage door safety standard. It is an Underwriters Laboratory safety protocol that confirms a garage door meets design, installation, and testing requirements to prevent accidents. It ensures the following features:

• Inherent Safety Entrapment: This feature is built directly into the garage door opener. It detects changes in resistance to prevent injury and entrapment. 
• Secondary Entrapment Protection: Secondary entrapment features typically refer to the garage door’s photo eyes. 
• Manual release: A manual release ensures the garage door can function in the event of a system failure. The emergency cord is often the manual release source. 
• Unattended Operation: Unattended operation ensures automatic garage doors will function safely even when they are not directly controlled by a human. 
• Travel Speed: Travel speed regulations ensure garage doors do not exceed an opening or closing speed of six inches per second. 
• Battery Backup: This standard only pertains to California. It ensures garage door openers will work in case of a power surge. It was developed in the face of the wildfires. 
• Protection Against Fire and Electric Shock: Garage doors should be equipped with an electronic or solid-state circuit that shuts down the system to prevent overheating due to excessive current. 

Garage Door Safety for Children and Pets

• Teach Your Children Garage Door Safety: Teach your children not to get in the way of an opening or closing garage door. Make them aware of the dangers involved if a garage door falls on them or if they get their hands stuck. 
• Seal Garage Door Gaps: Sealing gaps in your garage door will reduce the risk of a child sticking their hand or finger in a gap and getting stuck. 
• Supervise Children When They Use the Garage: Never allow a child to use a garage door opener or go inside a garage without adult supervision. 
• Keep the Garage Door Locked: A lock will keep children from playing with the garage door. 
• Keep the Remote Out of Reach: Keep the remote away from children to prevent accidents. 
• Train Dogs: Dogs may be trained to stay away from garage doors. 
• Add Motion Lights: Motion lights can tell you if your child or pet is near your garage door at night. If motion is detected, you can provide supervision to ensure an accident doesn’t occur. 

Get a Raynor Garage Door

You can be assured your garage door is safe if you purchase it from a trusted brand and use a reputable contractor. Raynor Door Authority provides a level of service you can count on. 

Raynor has been in the garage door industry since 1984. We can help you choose a garage door that’s perfect for your home. We offer reliable installation. We can also assist with repairs and maintenance. 

Contact us to ensure optimal garage door safety for your family.