Garage door safety encompasses the practices, features, and maintenance routines that ensure a garage door operates securely and safely, minimizing the risk of accidents.
Importance of Safety Features
Garage door safety is vital because it protects individuals from potential harm caused by malfunctioning doors, such as sudden falls or closures
Preventing Accidents and Injuries
The vast majority of accidents and injuries are entirely preventable by simply implementing safety measures and practices to mitigate risks associated with garage doors, ensuring they operate safely without causing harm.
These safety measures and practices include regular maintenance checks, using safety features like auto-reverse mechanisms and motion detectors, and ensuring all users are educated about proper operation and potential dangers.
Risks Associated with the Garage Doors
The risks associated with garage doors primarily include injuries from pinching or getting caught in moving parts, accidents from door malfunctions or failures – such as broken springs.
Pinch Points
As the garage door operates, sections of the door move and fold, creating gaps that can close quickly, posing a risk to fingers or hands placed in these areas that can be caught between those moving parts, and then crushed; these are pinch points.
Fingers can endure severe injuries such as bruises, cuts, or even fractures as a result of getting stuck in pinch points.
The best, and most reliable preventative measure one can take is to install pinch-resistant panels that push fingers out of the gaps as they close.
Spring Failures
Spring failures occur when the springs break or wear out due to tension, fatigue, or corrosion. Garage door springs are typically under constant tension, and each time the door is moved, the springs flex. Over time, this constant flexing can cause the metal to weaken and eventually snap or break.
A spring failure can result in a sudden release of tension, causing the door to fall rapidly, leading to injury or damage to property positioned below the door as it falls. It also leaves the garage door inoperable.
To mitigate the risk of spring failures, regular maintenance is crucial. This includes checking for signs of wear and tear, checking and retensioning the spring, and replacing them before they reach the end of their estimated lifespan.
Safety Features of Garage Doors
Safety features in garage doors include auto-reverse mechanisms, motion detectors, and manual release handles. These components are designed to prevent accidents.
Auto-Reverse Function
Auto-reverse functions in garage doors are safety mechanisms that automatically reverse the door’s direction if it encounters an obstacle while closing.
Auto-reverse functions in garage doors are triggered when the door makes contact with an object while closing. The door exerts a certain amount of force as it closes; if it encounters resistance beyond a predefined threshold, it interprets this as an obstruction and automatically reverses direction to prevent damage or injury.
Without a functioning auto-reverse feature, there’s a risk of injury or damage to objects caught under the closing door.
Motion Detection System
Motion detection systems in garage doors are safety features that use sensors to detect movement in the path of the door while it is operating.
These systems typically employ infrared or ultrasonic sensors to detect any motion under or near the garage door. If movement is detected during the door’s operation, the system triggers the door to stop moving or reverse to prevent closure on the moving object.
Motion detection systems prevent accidents by ensuring the door does not close on people, pets, or objects, reducing the risk of injury or damage.
Manual Operation
Manual operation or manual release systems in garage doors allow the door to be operated by hand when automatic mechanisms fail or during power outages.
These systems typically involve a cord or handle that, when pulled, disengages the door from the powered opener system. This allows the door to be manually lifted or closed.
By providing a way to open or close the door during emergencies or power failures, manual release systems ensure that occupants can exit or enter the garage safely, preventing situations where someone might be trapped.
How to ensure the continued safety of your garage door
Ensuring the continued safety of your garage door involves regular maintenance and adherence to safety protocols.
Educating All Users
Educating everyone who uses the garage door about the proper operation and safety protocols to ensure they understand how to use the garage door safely and effectively reduces the likelihood of an accident occurring.
Key points include how to operate the garage door safely, the location and use of the emergency release, recognizing signs of malfunction, and the importance of keeping hands and fingers away from joints and tracks.
Regular Maintenance & Safety Checks
Best practices include scheduling regular professional inspections, testing the auto-reverse and manual release functions monthly, and keeping the tracks, rollers, and other parts lubricated and free of debris.
Test the Auto-Reverse Function
Testing the auto-reverse is a safety check performed to ensure that your garage door opener reverses the door’s direction if it encounters an obstruction while closing.
To test the auto-reverse, place an object like a roll of paper towels or a wooden board on the ground in the path of the closing door. When the door touches the object, it should automatically reverse direction. If it doesn’t, the feature may need repair or adjustment.
Test the Motion Detector Function
Testing the motion detector function involves checking the sensors of a garage door opener to ensure they accurately detect any movement under the door while it is operating, prompting it to stop or reverse.
To test the motion detector, start by opening the garage door fully, then wave an object, like a broomstick, across the path of the sensors while the door is closing. The door should immediately stop and reverse. If it doesn’t, the sensors might be misaligned or malfunctioning and should be inspected by a professional.
Check Your Spring Tension & Door Balance
Testing the spring tension and door balance involves checking that the garage door is properly balanced and that the springs are correctly tensioned to safely and efficiently operate the door.
To test the balance, disconnect the opener by pulling the release handle (usually a red cord), then manually lift the door halfway up. If it stays in place with minimal effort, the balance is good. If it falls or is difficult to lift, the springs may need adjustment or replacement.
Cable Tension Monitors
Cable tension monitors are devices used to measure and monitor the tension in the cables of a garage door, ensuring they are properly adjusted for safe and efficient operation. Maintaining correct cable tension is critical for the safe operation of a garage door, as uneven or loose cables can lead to imbalanced doors, increased wear, and potential failures.
To use a cable tension monitor, attach it to the cable according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The device will measure the tension and provide a reading, which you can compare to recommended settings. Adjustments should be made as necessary to achieve optimal tension.
Clean Your Door’s Tracks
Keeping the tracks clean is crucial because accumulation of debris can cause the door to operate roughly, increasing wear on rollers and the door opener. It can also lead to jams that might prevent the door from closing or opening fully.
To clean the tracks, first close the garage door and disconnect the opener if applicable. Use a brush to loosen debris from the tracks, then vacuum or wipe them down to remove the debris. Lastly, wipe the tracks with a damp cloth to remove any remaining dust or grease, ensuring they are dry and clear of obstructions.
Quickly Addressing Issues & Repairs
Addressing repairs immediately is crucial to prevent minor issues from escalating into major problems that could compromise the safety of the garage door system and lead to more costly repairs.
Regular inspections can help spot potential issues early. Once a problem is detected, either attempt a DIY fix if simple and safe, or more commonly, contact a professional garage door technician to make the necessary repairs to ensure the door is operating correctly and safely.
Professional Servicing
Technicians can spot potential issues that may not be obvious to homeowners, preventing accidents and avoiding costly repairs due to neglected maintenance. Profesional maintenance services ensures that all components of the garage door, including springs, cables, and openers, are in optimal condition.
To benefit from professional servicing, contact a reputable garage door service company. If you’re in Perth, Western Australia, contact us.
These practices work by identifying and fixing potential issues before they lead to failures, ensuring that all parts of the garage door system are in optimal condition.
Child and Pet Safety
Child and pet safety with garage doors involves implementing features and precautions that protect them from potential accidents. Due to their small size and lack of awareness about the dangers of automatic doors, they are especially vulnerable and can find themselves in hazardous situations without safeguards.
To keep children and pets safe around garage doors: install safety sensors that stop the door if an obstruction is detected, keep controls out of reach of children, regularly test the door’s safety features, and educate family members on safe operation practices. Additionally, supervise children and pets around the garage area to prevent accidents.
Safety when Entering & Exiting the Garage
To enhance safety when entering and exiting the garage, maintain a clutter-free environment around the garage, door, and driveway, ensure adequate lighting, install slip-resistant flooring, and always wait for the garage door to fully open before proceeding. Move at a steady pace without rushing to avoid potential hazards.
Handling Malfunctions and Breakdowns
Handling malfunctions and breakdowns involves recognizing signs of trouble, safely stopping operation, and seeking professional help to address issues. It is crucial to prevent further damage to the garage door system and ensure safety for all users and nearby individuals.
Immediate Steps and Safety Precautions
Should a malfunction occur with your garage door, follow these steps to address the situation:
- Safety First: Stop using the door immediately to prevent further damage or injury.
- Visual Inspection: Check for obvious signs of trouble like loose cables, broken springs, or off-track rollers.
- Disconnect Power: For electric garage door openers, disconnect the power to avoid accidental operation or further electrical issues.
- Manual Operation: Engage the manual release mechanism to operate the door manually if needed.
- Secure the Door: If the door is stuck open and cannot be safely closed, secure it to prevent it from falling.
- Consult the Manual: Refer to the owner’s manual for troubleshooting tips specific to your model.
- Call a Professional: Contact a professional garage door repair service to diagnose and repair the door.
Emergency Make-Safe Service
An emergency make safe service is a rapid response service provided by professionals to secure a garage door or structure after it has been damaged or malfunctioned, ensuring that it poses no immediate risk to safety or security.
The service typically includes assessing the damage, temporarily securing the door or structure, and providing recommendations for permanent repairs.
You can book and emergency make safe service by contacting a professional garage door repair company. In Perth, Western Australia; that is Eden Roc Garage Doors
