Why Are Garage Doors Sensors Important?

In this episode of the Check A Pro Radio Show, host Joe speaks with Adam Greer from EZ Lift Garage Doors and More, a reputable provider and garage door specialist. They dive into the importance of garage door sensors, their functionality, mandated existence since 1994 and how they help prevent unnecessary accidents or damage.

Adam explains that the prime function of these sensors is to save lives. They are installed approximately six inches off the floor and produce a safety beam. As such, when an obstacle like a pet, child or object crosses the beam's path, the garage door sensor communicates to the opener to stop, preventing potential harm or damage.

Erroneously enough, some people tend to modify the installation of these sensors, aiming to circumvent their triggering. However, these modifications can lead to dangerous situations and are strongly discouraged.

Moreover, if a professional from Easy Lift Garage Doors and More encounters a sensor that's out of code, they are obligated to bring it up to code before servicing the door or opener. This emphasizes how critical these sensors are to our safety.

During the discussion, the duo also brings up the question of who mandates the installation of these sensors. Apparently, an agency (whose name eludes Adam for a moment) is behind the rule. Although not a governmental body, the agency's stance is crucial when it comes to insurance coverage should an accident occur.

On a lighter note, Joe shares an orbital-related issue he experiences periodically during the year when the sunrays hitting his sensors triggers the reversal of his garage door mechanism. Adam confirms this occurrence and suggests some remedies. He mentions there are even aftermarket products available to help counter this issue.

In conclusion, Adam emphasizes the need for these sensors not just for protection of children, but general household safety. Therefore, remember that your garage door sensors are crucial, a well-maintained sensor can go a long way in ensuring the safety of your home.

 

For more information about EZ Lift Garage Doors & More in Katy, Texas log on to www.ezohd.com or check them out at www.checkapro.com.

 

Visit Us At -  EzLiftGaragesDoors&More

 

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Episode Transcript

(00:01):
Check A Pro Joe here on the Check A Pro Radio Show with
one of my favorite Check A Pro member providers
it's Adam Greer from EZ Lift Garage Doors and
More hello Adam how are you doing it's always
good to be with you I'm joy and living the dream thank you so much you're our
garage door expert today here on the program question has come in and actually

(00:23):
this is a pretty interesting question because when I was a kid this was not
an issue and that question is Why are the garage door sensors so important?
Those little electric eyes that when you cross it, it does something to the
brain of the garage door opener. Why are they so important?
It's a great question. Really good question. They became mandated in the end

(00:45):
of 93, so really starting in 94.
And the opener installed from that point forward hasn't.
And they are to save lives, whether it be a pet life or an infant life or a child life.
Life uh but it also stops damage so what
that's doing is there's a safety beam well
safety sensors are shooting across and if it is

(01:06):
in the way the door doesn't crush it and uh some people try all kinds of ways
to cheat the system but it's actually dangerous um so they're supposed to be
six inches off the floor that's the minimum and uh people will pull up two feet
three feet so they They know all kinds of reasons.
They, they send their bumper trips, them, you know, all kinds of reasonable

(01:28):
around, but it's supposed to be six inches off the floor.
That way, any little animal cat kid comes, comes, you know, she didn't do that beam. It doesn't get.
So that's the primary reason for them. And when people do things like put them
right next to each other, take them up on the ceiling or rather,
there's all kinds of things you see. and we aren't supposed to service that.

(01:53):
If we come to that situation and see them out of code, we are supposed to put
them in code or service the door, the opener.
So it's a big deal and people try and they can't achieve it.
Bandits did not install them. One, if you don't install them,
the opener won't even work. It has to happen. So you can't just leave them off.

(02:14):
And I know there's situations, maybe like in a warehouse where the door is on
your forklift let's drive it and they, they hate the fact that they're there.
Nothing you can do. It's mandated. So it's critical. And it's when you need
them, you'll be glad you have them.
There may be a pain in the butt until then, but that day that it does its job,

(02:35):
you'll be glad you have them.
Now, I've got a question about this subject. You may not know the answer, but I'm curious.
Is this a federal or a state or just the manufacturers?
Who says this must be mandated, this must be done?
What is the UL what's the,

(02:56):
the agency what is it
I can't do what it stands for right now that's who
come up with this so yeah it's not like they want to arrest us but what happens
is for example say someone gets hurt neighbor's kid comes shooting through they
get damaged maybe they're you know broken up whatever and the insurance that

(03:17):
family decides to sue if there's no safety sensors your insurance will not cover,
So there's where it becomes an issue.
So is it really a law where they're going to come knock on your door or knock
on my door because I didn't do it?
No. But when you need it, be covered.
And it's not there. There's no voyage of insurance.

(03:38):
So there's definitely reasons to have it. And it's economical,
you know, for sure. But don't mess around with safety.
And I know we do. And we take off our shields on our sides.
And we were always trying to avoid that stuff for convenience but this one's a pretty big deal,
yeah don't yeah don't rip the label off the mattress that apparently is a federal

(04:02):
this is this is a little more different i would say uh now adam as you know
because you are are my garage door expert at my home,
you know the only problem I really have is a certain time of the year.
The sun will hit my sensors, one in particular.

(04:28):
And what it does is it'll send the door back up again when I try to close it
in the evening. What's happening there?
So, you know, as the earth changes and the sun changes position,
it's just the sun is blocking the light.
Now, manufacturers will argue that often and say that it's impossible.
We see it regularly. Yours is an example. example uh we've dealt with yours

(04:52):
before and um so sometimes the amount of just switching it taking there's a
sending unit and there's a receiving and so sometimes simply switching them,
changes that a little shift on position or we can unmount them from the track
and pull them back inside maybe mount them to the wall so some things you can
do if it's a real pain in the butt where it's it's just can't be solved we need

(05:15):
to change them so I'll simply change the position but it usually is a week,
somewhere in that range,
and then the sun's changed again, too, and it doesn't happen.
But that's one of the things I always ask people.
Is it at the same time every day? Well, yeah, as a matter of fact,
it is. It's like 9 in the morning. I'm trying to go to school.
Well, that's going to be your sun.

(05:35):
So people are trying to make sun blockage things you can add on afterwards.
And I think we're starting to see some good aftermarket products.
The 3D printing has been amazing for all kinds of things. Some people are taking advantage of it.
So I've seen people put toll on paper rolls. They'll cut a little notch and
then just stick it over when you say it works.

(05:56):
All you got to do is give that lens a little protection.
Some can't hit it. Yeah, that is an issue.
Yeah. In short, everybody, your garage door sensors are important.
You need to have them there. And if maintained well, you shouldn't have any
problem with it, especially for residential.

(06:18):
Yeah it's the people say i don't have kids so it doesn't matter well so there
you go yeah Adam Greer as always thank you so much pleasure thank you.