1. Read All Installation Instructions Carefully.

Installation's a big job, and if you're not up to the task, it's a good idea to hire a professional. If you decide to do it yourself, follow the instruction manual perfectly.

2. Read All Owners' Manuals.

Whether you install or don't install, read your owner's manual from front to back. There's emergency garage door information in there that can help prevent future problems.

3. Get The Springs Changed Routinely

4. Don't Mess With The Springs Yourself

Springs require regular maintenance, but they're very dangerous. They're made up of spring coils that are wound tightly. This means they're under lots of pressure. Serious injury could occur from improper handling.

5. Check Cables

From time to time, check your cables for visible wear. Most emergency situations are easily avoided by regular maintenance. Worn cables are a major source of trouble, including injuries.

6. Pay Attention To How It Runs

If there's anything funny about how it opens or closes, you've got a problem. Don't treat it lightly. This is a potential safety issue, so take care of it immediately. Even old doors should open and close smoothly.

7. Test Its Switch Sometimes

All garage doors have an emergency switch that keeps it from crushing whatever is underneath. Occasionally, you should put a small object under it and try to close it on it. It should stop before it hits the object. If not, you need repairs.

8. Lubricate

Like all parts that move on any machine, your garage door needs routine lubrication. It depends on the make and model, so follow the instruction manuals and keep a schedule.

9. Don't Operate It When Anything (Including People) Is Near It

Even though it's supposed to catch, garage doors malfunction just like anything else. In general, keep things and people that you love away from the door when opening and closing.

10. Kid-Proof

Keep the wall switch high enough so that little hands can't reach it, and keep the remote control safe. Make sure they understand it's not a toy and they should be careful around the garage door. Don't let them play Indiana Jones, sliding under the door just in the nick of time.

Follow these safety tips, and keep your machine properly maintained. Study your owners' manuals, be safe, and enjoy this addition to your home for many years to come.

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The garage door systems industry recognizes the important safety role played by home inspectors. This checklist intends to help home inspectors maximize the value of their service to homeowners and home buyers.

This checklist covers the most important parts of a basic inspection of a residential sectional garage door connected to an automatic garage door opener. This checklist does not apply to tilt-up one-piece doors.

WARNING

The garage door is typically the largest moving object in the house, and many of its components are under high tension. Improper installation or maintenance of a garage door can create a hazardous condition that can cause serious injury or even death.

Because of potential dangers involved, all repairs and adjustments must be performed by a trained door systems technician using proper tools and instructions.

A moving door can cause serious injury or death. Keep people clear of the opening while the door is moving.

High spring tension can cause serious injury or death. Do not try to remove, repair or adjust springs or anything to which door spring parts are fastened, such as, wood blocks, steel brackets, cables or other like items.

These inspection steps assume that the door is operable. If the door appears inoperable, a trained door systems technician should be contacted.

This checklist covers the safest procedures that are supported by DASMA. If a home inspector encounters a problematic situation, we urge you to follow our recommendations. In some cases, you may need to use your best judgment on how to proceed safely.

Items Needed

This 10-point inspection can be performed in a few minutes. To conduct the inspection, you should have (1) a tape measure, (2) a flashlight, (3) a 2×4 piece of wood at least six inches long, and if available, (4) a garage door remote control. Depending on the height of the door, (5) a ladder or step stool may also be helpful.

Sectional Garage Door and Electric Operator
Checklist for Home Inspectors and Consumers

Note: Techincal Data Sheets are information tools only and should not be used as substitutes for instructions from individual manufacturers. Always consult with individual manufacturers for specific recommendations for their products and check the applicable local regulations.
This Technical Data Sheet was prepared by members of DASMA’s Commercial & Residential Garage Door Division Technical Committee. DASMA is a trade association comprising manufacturers of rolling doors, fire doors, grilles, counter shutters, sheet doors, and related products; upward-acting residential and commercial garage doors; operating devices for garage doors and gates, sensing devices, and electronic remote controls for garage doors and gate operators; as well as companies that manufacture or supply either raw materials or significant components used in the manufacture and installation of the Active Members’ products.

This sheet is reviewed periodically and may be updated. Visit www.dasma.com for the latest version.

DASMA – Door & Access Systems Manufacturers Association International
1300 Sumner Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44115-2851
Phone: 216-241-7333 – Fax: 216-241-0105
E-mail: dasma@dasma.com

Garage Door System Safety – An Automatic Decision

Do Not let children play with or use the transmitters or remote controls. Always place and store them out of the reach of children.

The pushbutton wall control should be out of the reach of children (at least 5 feet from the floor) and away from all moving parts. Mount and use the button where you can clearly see the moving garage door. Teach Your Children About Garage Door and Opener Safety
Garage door openers are not toys. Careless operation and allowing children to play with or use garage door opener controls can lead to tragic results. Discuss garage door safety with your children. Explain the danger of being trapped under the door.

When using the pushbutton or transmitter, keep the door in sight until it completely stops moving. Teach children never to play under or near an open garage door.

Teach children to keep their hands and fingers clear of section joints, hinges, tracks, springs and other door parts. Contact with a moving door or its hardware could cause serious injury. These injuries can also happen with garage doors that don’t have automatic openers. Routine Maintenance Can Prevent Tragedies
Take a few minutes to inspect and test your complete garage door system. Make monthly inspection and testing a part of your regular routine. Safety is everyone’s business. Make garage door and garage door opener safety automatic in your home.

Consult owner’s manual for additional recommended maintenance for your models of door and opener. Testing and Maintaining the Garage Door Opener
There are routine safety and maintenance steps that you should follow once a month. Review your owner’s manual for the door opener. If you do not have an owners manual, look for the opener model number on the back of the power unit and request a manual from the manufacturer.

Reversal Test
Make sure your opener has a reversing feature. If a reversing feature is not present, it should be replaced. Garage door openers manufactured after January 1, 1993 are required by federal law to have advanced safety features which comply with the latest U.L. 325 standards: Contact your manufacturer or installer for additional information.

Test the reversing feature every month.

• First, test the balance of the door (see “Testing and Maintaining The Garage Door.”). If the door is properly balanced, then proceed.
• With the door fully open, place a 1-1/2″ thich piece of wood (a 2″x4″ laid flat) on the floor in the center of the door.
• Push the transmitter or wall button to close the door. The door must reverse when it strikes the wood. (Note that the bottom part of “one piece doors” must be rigid so that the door will not close without reversing.)
• If the door does not reverse, have it repaired or replaced. Have a qualified individual adjust, repair or replace the opener or door.

Force Setting Test
Test the force setting of your garage door opener by holding the bottom of the door as it closes. If the door does not reverse readily, the force may be excessive and need adjusting. See your owners manual for details on how to make the adjustment. Test the revesring feature after any adjustment.

Additional Safety Devices
Many garage door openers can be equipped with additional safety devices. Consider adding a photo eye or edge sensor as an extra measure of safety to prevent against entrapment. Keep in mind that adding more safety devices will not make an old opener meet current U.L. standards.

Make sure the additional safety devices, such as photoeyes or edge sensors, are properly installed and adjusted (see owner’s manual). Testing and Maintaining the Garage Door
Perform routine maintenance steps once a month. Review your owner’s manual for the garage door. If you don’t have a manual, look for the model number on the back of the door, or check the lock handle, hinges, or other hardware for the manufacturer’s name and request a manual from the manufacturer.

Visual Inspection
Look at the garage door springs, cables, rollers, pulleys, and other door hardware for signs of wear. If you suspect problems, have a qualified person make repairs.

Warning – Springs are under high tension. Only qualified persons should adjust them
Garage door springs, cables, brackets, and other hardware attached to the springs, are under very high tension and, if handled improperly, can cause serious injury. Only a qualified professional or a mechanically experienced person carefully following the manufacturer’s instructions should adjust them. The torsion springs (the springs above the door) should only be adjusted by a professional. Do not attempt to repair or adjust the torsion springs yourself.

A restraining cable or other device should be installed on the extension spring (the spring along the side of the door) to help contain the spring if it breaks.

Never remove, adjust or loosen the screws on the bottom brackets of the door. These brackets are connected to the spring by the lift cable and are under extreme tension.

Lubrication
Regularly lubricate the moving parts of the door. However, do not lubricate plastic parts such as plastic rollers and plastic idler bearings. Consult the door owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommendation.

Door Balance
Periodically test the balance of your door.

• Start with the door closed
• If you have a garage door opener, use the release mechanism so you can operate the door by hand when doing this test
• You should be able to lift the door smoothly and with little resistance. It should stay open around three or four feet above the floor. If it does not, it is out of adjustment. Have it adjusted by a qualified service person.

• be a public citizen – let’s keep with a safety theme. while keeping our kids safe is a top priority, it’s also important that we safeguard our rights. one way to do that is to become aware of the things that are happening in various aspects of our lives. …

NOTE: This list is not intended to be a comprehensive list of every safety precaution.

Always consult your manufacturer’s installation or instruction manual for safety information about your door model.

WARNING: Garage door springs, bottom brackets, red colored fasteners, cables and supports are under extreme tension, and can cause serious injury or death.

1. Replace Old Springs. Your garage door’s springs are arguably the most important and most dangerous part of your door. Springs wear out. When they break, injury can result. If you have an older garage door, have your springs inspected by our trained door systems technician and replaced if needed. If your door has two springs, have both replaced even if one is not broken. This will not only prevent any damage caused by the breaking of the second spring, but also keep your door working efficiently.

2. Check Your Door Cables. Visually inspect the cables that attach the spring system to the bottom brackets on both sides of the door. If these cables are frayed or worn, they are at risk of breaking, which can create a potentially hazardous situation. Due to the hazards associated with high spring tension, these cables should be replaced only by our trained door systems technician.

3. Squeaky Springs? Springs can squeak and be noisy. This is caused by normal use and does not necessarily indicate a problem. Before calling our trained door systems technician, coat the springs with a spray-on lubricant recommended especially for garage doors. If the noise persists, call a us for service.

4. A Do-It-Yourselfer, Eh? Most consumers choose to have their doors installed by our trained door systems technicians. We are trained in the challenging and time consuming task of door installation, and have tools and background to install your door properly. If you attempt the installation by yourself, be sure you are confident in your skills and training, and possess and use the right tools for the job. Before beginning, make sure you thoroughly read and understand the manufacturer’s installation instructions, and then meticulously follow those instructions.

5. Containment Cables for Extension Springs. If your garage door has extension springs, a containment cable should run through each spring and should be connected to the wall or ceiling at each end. When your garage door is closed, extension springs are under high tension. If a spring breaks, a potentially hazardous situation can result. A containment cable can keep that broken spring contained. If you have extension springs but do not have containment cables, call us for a safety inspection.

6. Struggling With Your Door? If your door does not go up and down smoothly and easily, you may have an unsafe condition. Even older door systems should operate smoothly and easily. If this operational difficulty continues when the door is manually operated, you may have a spring system that is out of balance. This can cause premature wear and tear on other important door components. Repairing or replacing spring systems can be hazardous, and should be accomplished only by our trained door systems technicians.

7. Watch Your Fingers! If your door lacks pinch-resistant joints, you should have lift handles or suitable gripping points on the inside and outside of the door. Even if your door has a motor operator, the door must occasionally be operated manually. Never place your fingers between the door sections. If you manually open or close the door, use the lift handles or gripping points!

8. Don’t Touch the Bottom Brackets! Since the bottom brackets on a garage door are connected to the door’s springs, these brackets are constantly under extreme tension. They should be adjusted only by our trained door systems technician.

9. Use the Old Track? When buying a replacement garage door, some homeowners are tempted to save a few dollars by putting the new door on the old track. However, your old track may not fit with your new door, depending on the thickness of your sections, the weight of the door, the headroom required, the location of the garage door operator, and other considerations. The track and sections work together as a system. For maximum performance and longer life, you should use the track that is designed and supplied for your specific door.

10. Regular Service. Your garage door is probably the largest, heaviest moving object in your home and is typically used every day. Over time, parts can wear out and break, creating potential hazards. Although you should conduct monthly safety checks and provide regular limited maintenance to your garage door system, an annual visit from our trained door systems technician can keep your door operating safely and smoothly for a long time.

11. Man the Manual. Keep the owner’s manuals for your door and operator near the door for easy reference. Every model of door and operator has specific safety instructions unique to that model. Where is your manual? For a replacement copy, contact the door or operator manufacturer.

This is so important, let’s say it again: have your garage door installed and serviced by a professional. This is not a job for a DiY-er with minimal knowledge of the task at hand.

Why?

One word – safety.

For most Americans, a garage door is the largest moving object in the home. Garage doors are both large and extremely heavy. This means that not only are they incredibly difficult to lift, but install it wrong and it can come crashing down with unbelievable force.

The garage door springs that help the doors open are under extreme pressure and can release enough power to severely injure or even kill someone. Specific tools and training are needed when dealing with these springs.

“Installing a garage door system is complicated, and can be a dangerous task if not done properly. A professional door dealer will help you find the perfect door for your home, and install it correctly and safely,” said Chris Long, Managing Director, International Door Association.

There are plenty of other jobs around your place that are perfect for the weekend warrior, but installing a new garage door is not one of them. You want it installed correctly, functioning safely and smoothly, and you want it up right the first time. When deciding on a professional installer for your new garage door, here are some questions to ask:

1.    How much experience does the installer have? 
How long has the company been in business? If it’s a new company, do the owners have experience working in the door and operator industry? As a general rule, the more years, the better.
2.    Does the dealer have satisfied customers or reviews available? 
This may be the most important checkpoint. Does the door dealer have satisfied customers? Are you willingly given phone numbers so you can talk directly to past customers, or do you have access to letters of recommendation from customers?
3.    What type of insurance coverage does the dealer have? 
It is important that door dealers carry the proper insurance on their business and employees. Ask for a copy of the company’s certificate of insurance. If it doesn’t have one or hesitates to provide it, this could be a red flag.
4.    Does the dealer comply with codes and regulations? 
There are many requirements that apply to safety and the installation of a garage door system. Federal, state and local codes and regulations must be followed. Ask the dealer about how he or she complies with the codes in your city. Selecting the right door dealer is as simple as asking a few questions. Don’t hesitate to call two dealers and ask these same questions. They take only moments to answer, and yet they can help you find an honest, competent professional who can solve your garage door problem.