OTHER INFORMATION ON GARAGE DOORS, OPENERS AND PERSONAL SAFETY

Like any mechanical equipment at home, an automatic garage door opener requires periodic maintenance to ensure the safety and efficiency of its operation. In fact, because the garage door is often the heaviest and largest single piece of moving equipment in your home, frequent testing and maintenance are extremely important.

A visual inspection of the garage door springs, cables, rollers, and other door hardware is a great place to begin. Look for signs of wear and frayed or broken parts. Most minor repairs, such as roller replacement, can be performed by a handy do-it-yourselfer, while more complicated tasks should be handled by a qualified garage-door service technician. The springs and related hardware are under high tension and can cause severe injury when handled improperly.

Rollers, springs, hinges, and tracks require periodic lubrication. Use spray silicone, lightweight household oil, or white lithium grease according to the instructions in your owner's manual.

Periodically test the balance of the door. Start with the door closed. Disconnect the automatic opener release mechanism so that the door can be operated by hand. The door should lift smoothly and with little resistance. It should stay open around 1 to 1.2 meters above the floor. If it doesn't, it is out of balance and should be adjusted by a professional.

In addition to extending its life, monthly inspection and testing of the automatic opener can prevent serious injuries and property damage. Careless operation and allowing children to play with or use garage door opener controls are dangerous situations that can lead to tragic incidents. A few simple precautions can protect your family and friends from potential harm.

Never stand or walk under a moving door. Keep transmitters and remote controls out of reach of children and teach them that they are not toys. The push-button wall control should be out of reach of children and always be mounted where you can clearly see the door in full operation.

Test the force setting of the opener by holding up the bottom of the door as it closes. If the door does not reverse readily, the force is excessive and needs adjusting. The owner's manual will explain how to adjust the force sensitivity.

To avoid entrapment, perform the Safety Reverse Test by simply placing a 50 MM block of wood flat on the floor in the middle of the door's path before activating the door. If the door fails to immediately stop and reverse when it strikes the wood, disconnect the opener and use the door manually until the system can be repaired or replaced.

In addition, it is recommended that a garage door opener be equipped with a monitored non-contact safety reversing device or safety edge that stops and reverses a closing garage door.

An example of such a safety device is an electronic beam sensor that is installed at either side of the door opening, which, when broken, causes the door to stop and reverse itself.