Automatic garage door openers are such a common convenience; they are practically standard equipment in most new homes, but there was a time not long ago when homeowners routinely got out of the car to open the garage door before parking. The garage door opener has also become a security feature for homes, allowing people keyless entry, programmable keypads and automatic lighting features.
But before you start thinking these gadgets are without fault, there are some important safety and security issues relating to garage door openers that you should know about. For example, if you have elderly relatives or small children in your home, some older garage doors can present a risk. This is because some older doors do not have a feature that prevents a door from closing on top of an object or person beneath it.
Also, while most new roll-up garage doors have anti-pinch panels, some older doors can cause small fingers to become stuck in the gap between the hinged panels, just while the door is closing.
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Since 1993, garage doors and garage door openers have been required to comply with Underwriters Laboratories "spec 325" (UL325), a guideline that spells out safety requirements for this equipment. In fact, if your garage door doesn't meet these requirements, it could show up as a red flag on a home inspection.
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One of the main specifications of UL325 is an "electronic eye" that is mounted at the base of the door on both sides. If anything is blocking the light beam projected by the "eye", it will cause the opener to reverse the closing cycle of the door until the object (or person) breaks the beam. Without this feature, a young or fragile person could be seriously injured by a closing garage door.
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UL325 compliant garage doors may also stop closing if the mechanism senses excessive load, indicating an obstacle. This feature prevents the garage door from crushing down on the obstacle until it breaks.
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The safety and security of your garage door are very important considerations, and failure to address these issues could present a liability to homeowners. The good news is, a new garage door opener is relatively inexpensive, and it will keep your family and others safe.