A few weeks ago, I posted a video of an unsafe motorized garage vehicle door -- door failed to auto-reverse at floor level when it struck a 1-1/2" flat object that had been placed on the floor. A garage vehicle door, to be considered safe, must auto-reverse at floor level (1-1/2" over the floor or higher) and at mid-height. Any reasonably new garage vehicle door should, also, have sensor-eyes, both sides of the door at the bottom, that cause the door to reverse if there is an interruption of the infrared beam that exists between the eyes.
Let's review: First, here is a door that fails to auto-reverse at floor level.
Now, let's take a look at a garage vehicle door that auto-reverses correctly.
This video, shot in Bellingham, gets the point across -- some doors really do auto-reverse at floor level. I have had sellers argue with me that they never heard of such a test. These folks were under the impression that the sensor-eyes are the only safety feature of significance. That is, obviously, far from the truth. Keep in mind that many older doors may reverse only at mid-height, or not at all. Such doors are, by today's standards, considered to be unsafe. Performing "impact" safety tests at any old door, or at a door that is out of adjustment, may result in damage to the door, related property damage or injury so all safety testing should be performed trained professionals.
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Steven, I think it is very important feature. Thanks for sharing.
It wasn't that long ago ( early 80s) that I was working on some houses in Clifton VA when a terrible accident happened. Two boys were playing in a garage, and they had a door like you show in video 1 auto reverse failure. One of the boys ran to get in the gargae as the door was closing and more than half way down, he didn't make it and the door pinned him down on the concrete with no auto reverse. By the time the other boy ran to get help and got back the boy was dead. Yes, the test you show is a very important one.
Jeff,
That is really awful. I will have to send people to your comments next time someone thinks I am being over the top in pointing that one out.
You are proforming an important test with the auto-reverse Steven. Better safe than sorry!
Sellers will argue about anything they think is out of line. Again, you don't know what you don't know.
Didn't you have a post like this once before?
Jay,
About a month back, but I decided to do it with the video of the properly reversing door which I did not have before and I thought it added clarity.
Little Stevie, I miss you!!! Great post. I find the doors are out of adjustment quite often.