There are routine maintenance and safety steps you should follow once a month. Review your owner's manual for the door operator.
Reversal Test
Make sure your garage door operator has a reversing feature. If a reversing feature is not present, the operator should be replaced. Garage door operators manufactured after January 1, 1995 are required by SABS - IEC Standard No.60335 Part 2 to have advanced safety features. Contact your manufacturer or installer for additional information.
Test the reversing feature every month:
- First, test the balance of the door. If the door is properly balanced, then proceed.
- While the door is fully open, place a 40mm thick piece of wood on the floor in the centre of the door.
- Push the transmitter or wall switch button to close the door. The door must stop and reverse when it strikes the wood.
- If the door does not reverse, have it repaired or replaced. Have a qualified door mechanic adjust, repair or replace the garage door or garage door operator.
Force Setting Test
Test the force setting of your garage door operator by holding the bottom of the door as it closes. If the door does not reverse readily, the force may be excessive and may need adjusting.
Additional Safety Devices
Many garage door operators can be equipped with additional safety devices. Consider adding an infra red beam or a sensor edge to the door as an extra measure of safety to protect against entrapment.
Testing and Maintaining the Garage Door
Perform routine maintenance steps once a month.
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 door mechanic make the 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 or death. Only a qualified professional or a mechanically experienced person using the correct tools and carefully following the manufacturer's instructions should adjust them. The torsion springs should only be adjusted by a professional.
Safety Cables
- A restraining- or safety cable or other device should be installed on the extension type spring to contain it if it breaks.
- Never remove, adjust or loosen the screws on the bottom corner of the door. The bracket is connected to the spring by the lifting cable and is under extreme tension.
Lubrication
Lubricate the moving parts of the door at regular intervals. Do not lubricate plastic parts.