What Are Auto Reverse Garage Door Openers? The Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) Improvement Act of 1990 requires that automatic residential garage door openers manufactured on or after January 1, 1991 conform to the entrapment protection requirements of the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Standard for Safety, UL 325. Entrapment in this instance refers to someone (particularly children) being in the way of an opening or closing garage door, getting caught, and not being able to free themselves. This type of situation can lead to serious injury or death. In response to this threat, automatic garage doors now are required to have a sensing mechanism that will halt and/or reverse the operation of the door when it detects an obstacle during operation. These sensors are often photoelectric sensors, or what might be referred to as an “electric eye” that is installed about 4 to 6 inches above the floor. The sensor projects a beam of ultraviolet light across the door opening; when something crosses the beam and breaks the circuit, the door will stop operating. The CPSC reports that entrapment incidents associated with automatic garage doors and garage door openers involving children under 15 years of age between March 1982 and November 1996 numbered 62 deaths and 49 injuries. There were also 75 consumer complaints associated with potential entrapment hazards reported to CPSC during this period. The CPSC advises that “homeowners with automatic garage door openers that do not automatically reverse should repair or replace their systems with new reversing garage door openers. This prevents young children from being trapped and killed under closing garage doors.” Some other valuable tips to avoid a mishap with your garage door opener include: • Inspect the springs, hardware, and fittings. Look for smooth operation and little noise. The CPSC advises that properly functioning garage door be balanced, meaning that the door will stay securely in place when stopped in any open position. “A severely unbalanced garage door could unexpectedly crash to the floor… If doors are not balanced, or if they bind or stick during operation, they should be serviced by a professional. • Test the auto-reverse function by interrupting the photoelectric sensor’s light beam or by activating a door-edge sensor by closing the door on a piece of lumber. When the door encounters the wood, it should immediately and automatically reverse operation. • Install the push-button wall control for your garage door opener as high on the wall as possible to keep it away from curious children’s reach. • Keep the garage door remote control away from the access of children. With more than 35 years of experience with installation and repairs of garage doors, you can feel confident in choosing On Track Garage Doors for your residential and commercial applications! We service all of Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, and Dutchess counties for your garage door needs; from broken springs, pulleys, and cables, as well as service and repair for your electric motor. Our trucks are equipped with all necessary repair parts, so we are able to take care
