Garage doors are a modern marvel that many homeowners take for granted. Every day, garage door openers lift up heavy doors in a smooth motion, but despite the ease with which they do this, they include several safety measures to protect homeowners and their families and guests. When a garage door company installs a door, they complete the task with safety in mind.
The state of California has many rules and regulations when it comes to garage door installations. Safety laws are put into place at both the state and federal levels. Learn about the safety laws and regulations imposed on garage doors in California below. The next time you have a garage door installed, you will know what to expect.
California Health and Safety Code Chapter 12.5
One of the major overhauls to garage safety came in the early 1990s. The California Health and Safety Code Chapter 12.5 includes mandatory instructions for the installation of automatic garage door sensors. Today, the norm is for garage doors to have sensors that prevent the garage door from shutting when someone or something is in the sensor zone.
The crucial safety update prevents injuries and death that could occur if a garage door crushes someone. The law imposed multiple fines if a garage door opener did not include the sensor technology.
Thanks to the safety code, garage door openers are a lot safer. Not only do the door sensors protect a person walking through the garage, but they can also protect moving cars or pets that happen to travel past a closing garage door. The safety code doesn't just increase safety, but it can also protect the garage door from damage.
A door could easily dent, crack, or break if pressed against a car or other hard object. The safety code is still in place and is updated every ten years or so to ensure the code stays up to date and remains relevant.
Senate Bill Number 969
Garage door sensors are the only safety issue when it comes to garage doors. If there is a power outage, the sensors will not work, and the garage door opener won't either. Beginning in 2019, Senate Bill number 969 includes a provision that the installation of any new garage door opener must include a backup battery.
When the main power goes out, the backup battery provides extra power so the garage door can open and close without relying on the grid. In the state of California, natural disasters like forest fires and earthquakes can all prompt evacuations, but those same disasters could also cause major power outages.
If your car is stuck inside a garage, then you limit your escape options. The bill was introduced as a direct response to California homeowners being unable to escape their garage. When a power outage does occur, people can manually lift the door, but only if they have the physical dexterity to do so. The backup battery prevents the need to manually open the door.
When you order a new garage door opener in California, it will come with the backup battery as part of the installation package. If you have a new garage door opener without the backup battery, you could face a hefty fine.
When your home has power, the battery is automatically charged to provide full power for any extended outages. You do not have to do anything on your own to ensure the battery is charged. A garage door installer will show you the battery module and go over the instructions for using the garage door safely.
Safety Standard for Automatic Residential Garage Door Operators
Along with local regulations, California garage doors follow federal rules. One of the more important updates to the
federal rules
came in 2018. Released by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the regulations apply even stricter restrictions for garage door sensors. The regulations focus on the reaction time of garage door sensors.
When a sensor detects an object, a garage door opener must reverse direction and raise the door within two seconds. Thanks to advancements in garage door technology, the process is typically completed within the set time. The two-second process helps eliminate any extended injuries or damage that occurs from the weight of a garage door.
The second part of the regulations involves the garage door closing process. If a garage door is unable to fully close after 30 seconds of trying, then the garage door must automatically return to its open position. After 30 seconds, a person must manually shut the door again using the garage door remote.
The safety changes are typically made on the manufacturer's level, but a garage door installer will typically perform a detailed safety check to make sure all of the safety guidelines are followed. As a garage door owner, you should know these safety issues to understand expectations when you run into an issue with the garage door.
Use our professional services at
Edgemont Garage Door Service
to install a new garage door opener. We pride ourselves on safety and follow these strict laws and guidelines to ensure your new garage door and opener are installed correctly.
