Garage Door Safety Standards in Orange County: What Homeowners Need to Know

Most residential garages are made of metal and weigh between 100 pounds to 400 pounds. Garage door malfunctions or lack of maintenance can lead to serious injuries. To prevent those injuries, both federally mandated safety requirements and state mandated requirements are in place. It is important for homeowners to ensure that these devices (sensors) function properly.

Required Safety Features for Compliance

To comply with these regulations, all modern garage doors must be installed with the following safety features:

1. Photo-eye Sensors: This sensor acts as an interrupting beam unique to garage doors, stopping and reversing garage doors if interrupted by anything while closing. These photo-eye sensors were required to be installed in residential garage doors since 1993.

2. Auto-Reverse System: The auto-reverse system automatically reverses a garage door that has contacted an object or individual while closing. To avoid the chance of injuries such as crushing.

3. Manual Emergency Release: The manual emergency release (red handle) is a lever that disconnects the opener from the door so that the homeowner can manually lift the door in the event of an emergency (fire, electrical failure, etc.).

4. Backup Battery: All new garage door openers installed in California must have a battery backup feature, which keeps the door operating in the event of a power outage. This is especially critical during fire season shutdowns.

5. Visual and Audible Alerts: Garage doors controlled by remote control must have visual (lights) and audible (sounds) alerts prior to operating.

6. Pinch Resistant Panels: Newer garage doors have pinch resistant panels, which reduce the risk of finger injuries.

7. Force Limitation: The force applied by a garage door opener when closing must not exceed 15 lbs of force. If the opening mechanism is creating too much force when closing the garage door, it may be damaged.

Maintenance and Inspection: Your Responsibility as a Homeowner

All garage doors require regular scheduled maintenance to protect users as well as the functionality of the garage door:

Sensor Test (1x per month): Clean optical sensors so that they function properly. Check by interrupting the sensor beam while the garage door closes; the door should stop and reverse immediately.

Balance Test (2x per year): To ensure the garage door is balanced, disconnect power to the garage door opener and raise the door manually to the height of halfway open; the door should remain in that position. If the garage door does not remain open, the tension springs may be unbalanced, and they may require professional adjustment.

Lubricate Garage Door Hardware (2x per year): Use only a garage door-specific lithium-based lubricant to lubricate all components that move or pivot. Include the rollers, the hinges and the springs.

Equipment Check (6x per year): Inspect and tighten all fastening bolts and brackets every six months.

Annual Professional Inspection: A qualified technician should inspect your garage door annually for high-tension components such as tension springs and cables. Most garage door failures can be avoided through regular maintenance.

Regular maintenance will improve safety, increase the longevity of the garage door system and comply with safety regulations.

Recognizing and Preventing Common Hazards

Understanding the potential hazards associated with garage doors will help prevent accidents:

Entrapment: Children or pets could be hurt by a garage door system that does not function correctly or lacks a safety feature. Do not allow children to play with garage door remotes or controls that are in the garage.

Defective Springs or Cables: If a tension spring fails, it can suddenly drop the garage door or create improper lifting; all spring or cable replacements should be completed by professionals.

Pinching Injuries: Garage doors manufactured before the advent of protective panelling can pinch fingers during the closing cycle.

Defective or Inoperative Garage Door Control Devices: A remote control can malfunction and cause the garage door to operate unexpectedly if a button is pushed down or a remote is stuck in the on position. homeowner by allowing unwanted entry into the home. If you know how to identify these risks, then you'll have the ability to take corrective measures before anything happens to your property.

Regional Factors Affecting Garage Door Safety in Orange County

Because of the type of hazards specific to your area in Orange County due to a risk of wind load rating on the door, and the fact that in Orange County you can have conditions of the wind blowing consistently during the season, in certain areas of Orange County doors can be assigned a wind load rating. The door may need to be reinforced to meet the wind load requirements of that area or designated a high wind door.

In California, due to the incidence of wildfires and increased likelihood of planned power outages caused by a pre-emptive power outage during a wildfire, the State of California has mandated that all garage door openers installed in California must include a backup battery system.

Additionally, California's Title 24 energy code was developed to provide incentives for the installation of insulated door systems, as many insulated door systems are manufactured to meet higher strength and insulation requirements. Although insulated doors themselves do not directly enhance the safety of a garage door, there is a greater potential to protect your garage door systems from the elements.

Most cities within Orange County have laws requiring that homeowners apply for permits for the installation or replacement of garage doors. Most cities in Orange County also require final inspections be conducted to ensure that safety sensor systems are functioning properly and the entire garage door system is working as intended.

Tips for Ensuring Compliance and Family Safety

Knowing the regional requirements of Orange County, California above will help to improve home protection against natural disasters, fires, and other events. Homeowners in Orange County can use the following practices to improve the safety and compliance of their garage door systems with State of California codes.

1. Hire a Licensed Garage Door Installation Contractor: An experienced, licensed contractor is less likely to include important safety measures in their installations than is a do it yourself (DIY). Licensed contractors also tend to know what the local and State Garage Door Codes and Safety Regulations include.
   

2. Educate Your Children about Garage Door Safety: Parents should store garage door remotes out of reach of children. Parents should educate their children on avoiding playing near a garage door while it is being opened or closed.
   

3. Test Safety Features: Homeowners should perform regular testing of the garage door safety sensors and automatic reverses feature. If any safety features do not pass their testing, homeowners should make the necessary repairs without delay.
   

4. Keep Records of the Garage Door System Accessible: Homeowners should maintain copies of the installation manual from the garage door manufacturer, Title 24 compliance certificates, and any repair and maintenance records for the garage door system.
   

5. Upgrade Garage Door Systems Older Than You Have Today: Homeowners should consider replacing an older garage door system that do not contain modern safety features to comply with today's requirements.

By adopting and implementing the five suggestions above, homeowners can ensure that their garage doors provide adequate protection for themselves and their property.

Final Thoughts: Prioritize Safety and Compliance

Garage door safety is about more than breakdowns; it's about protecting your family and property. It is critical that all homeowners in Orange County understand the State of California Title 24 and all the associated responsibilities and requirements when it comes to the safe operation and maintenance of garage doors. By working with professionals such as the OC Garage Door Guys, homeowners can rest assured that they are complying with all current state and federal safety code requirements.