2024-01-01 5 min read
# Essential Garage Door Safety Features Every Homeowner Should Know
Your garage door is the largest moving object in your home, weighing anywhere from 130 to over 400 pounds. Without proper safety features, this massive door could pose serious risks to your family, pets, and property. Understanding and maintaining your garage door's safety systems is essential for every homeowner.
Since 1993, all garage door openers sold in the United States have been required to include photo eye sensors. These small devices, mounted 4-6 inches above the floor on either side of the garage door, project an invisible infrared beam across the opening.
When anything breaks the beam while the door is closing, the door immediately stops and reverses direction. This prevents the door from closing on a child, pet, or object that has entered the doorway.
To ensure your photo eye sensors work properly:
- Keep the lenses clean and free of debris, cobwebs, and dirt, Check that sensors are properly aligned (most have indicator lights that glow steadily when aligned) - Protect sensor wiring from damage, Test monthly by placing an object in the door's path while closing
If your door won't close and the opener light blinks, the sensors may be misaligned or obstructed. Check for visible obstructions, clean the lenses, and verify the indicator lights. If problems persist, the sensors may need professional adjustment or replacement.
In addition to photo eye sensors, garage door openers include a mechanical auto-reverse feature that detects resistance when the door is closing.
Federal regulations require that the door reverse if it contacts an object with more than a specified amount of force. To test this:
1. Place a 2x4 flat on the floor in the door's path 2. Close the door using the wall button or remote 3. The door should reverse within 2 seconds of touching the board
If the door doesn't reverse, the opener's force settings need adjustment. This is a simple adjustment, but improper settings can create safety hazards or operational problems. Our technicians can calibrate your opener for optimal safety and performance.
Power outages happen, and you need to be able to operate your garage door manually when they do. Every garage door opener includes a manual release.typically a red cord hanging from the trolley that rides along the opener's rail.
1. Ensure the door is fully closed before disengaging 2. Pull the red handle down and toward the opener motor 3. The door can now be lifted manually 4. To re-engage, pull the handle down and toward the door, then operate the opener
Never pull the manual release when the door is open. Without the opener engaged, a door with broken or weak springs could come crashing down. Always close the door first if possible.
Extension springs (the type mounted along the horizontal tracks) should have safety cables running through their centers. If a spring breaks, the cable contains the pieces, preventing them from becoming dangerous projectiles. If your extension springs don't have safety cables, contact us to have them installed.
The flexible seal along the bottom of your door not only keeps out weather and pests but also provides a buffer if the door closes on something. Check this seal regularly for cracks or deterioration.
Good lighting inside and outside your garage helps you see potential hazards before they cause accidents. Consider motion-activated lights that turn on when the door opens.
Safety features are only effective if they're working properly. We recommend:
- Monthly Testing: Test photo eye sensors and auto-reverse function - Visual Inspections: Look for worn cables, loose hardware, and damaged panels - Lubrication: Every 6 months, lubricate hinges, rollers, and springs - Professional Inspection: Annual inspection by a qualified technician
Teach children these important garage door safety rules:
- Never play with or near a moving garage door, Never stand or walk under a moving door, Keep fingers away from door sections when the door is moving, Never touch the springs or other hardware, Know where the wall button is located for emergencies
Consider mounting wall buttons at least 5 feet high to prevent young children from operating the door unsupervised.
Contact Garage Door West Hollywood if you notice any of the following:
- Safety sensors not functioning despite troubleshooting, Door doesn't reverse when it should, Unusual sounds during operation, Visible damage to cables, springs, or hardware, Door seems unbalanced or moves unevenly
Your family's safety is too important to ignore. We offer comprehensive safety inspections and can ensure all your garage door's safety features are working correctly. Contact us today to schedule a safety check.