There are few items in the home that are as time-consuming to inspect as garage overhead doors---with the exception of crawl spaces and difficult attics.
There are numerous things that can go wrong with these large moving devices. Today I am only going to focus on the button that one pushes to open and close them. For more information about them, plus information on how to test them, please see: You broke it----you fix it!
Modern standards require the operator button to be located a minimum of 60" above the floor; and that there be a warning label posted next to it----as shown in the following picture.
This warning label warns of the dangers these doors represent to small children. It is placed at 60" so that children can't easily reach it. I once was asked how small children are supposed to read the warning if they can't read----they were joking I think.
This next picture is of the same push button which, when measured from the house level (two steps up from the garage floor), is easily within reach of small children. While it may not be clear as to which floor surface the regulations require the button to be located 60" above, common sense (whatever the heck that is) would dictate that it would be safer to use the upper level.
Hopefully all of your buttons are in the right place today.
Charles Buell
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I appreciate the perspective from you as an inspector. Thank you for taking the time to educate us. I appreciate it.
Steven, you are welcome.
This seems to be largely common sense... the button should be in a place (or height) that is not reachable by little children. While the doors are typically equipped with light beam sensors and pressure sensors that help protect from dangers, the mere ability to open or close the door, by a child, could be dangerous.
Thanks for pointing it out.
Alan, these doors are one of the leading causes of injuries to children in homes.
Charles, I don't think I've seen the warning sign in years not even in new construction...
If your area uses the IRC these openers have been required since 1991 to meet UL 325 which requires the label. I find them missing, but I have to say not very often on New Construction.
Charles, informative post. Paul the warning labels are usually place at the door. Its very rare to see them at the push button opener. ( like in the photo ).
~ Life is Good
Roy, somewhere there is an installer that probably has a bathroom wall papered with them:)
I've not seen any of the warnings either. Perhaps it's a state-by-state thing? I also didn't know about the requirement for the height of the control pad. You supplied some more good information!!
Great point. Most people would assume that measuring from the garage floor meets the "regs" but obviously from your photo the floor from inside the home should have been considered.
Mr Charles,
Not hard to push your button. You have a personality like a buzz saw. I want my bucks. I am running out of party money.
Nutsy
Barbara, it is hard to say---there are so many jurisdictional differences.
Jim, thanks----that is what I though too
Looks like you better be wathing your back Nutsy
That would make interesting wall paper. It is required here, but they are few and far between. I do see them at the correct height most of the time.
Here in the Columbus Ohio area I have not seen any warning labels... ever. WOW.
Thanks for the great post.
Jack, reading through the comments it is interesting how different it is all around the country. It would be interesting to find out how many inspectors inspect these doors by the DASMA protocols.
Rick, see my comment to Jack:) Thanks for visiting and commenting.
Charlie, The button in my house was just over the light switch for the garage when I moved in 4 years ago. I moved it up and used the floor from the house (doorway into garage) as the measuring point to relocate it to a safe height. Exactly like you just explained. Common sense, the kids can reach it from the doorway floor so it needs to be set from that point.
Now if we could only get common sense to be as common as squirrels. But, as we know, squirrels will never have common sense:)
I have not seen any warning labels. But perhaps I didn't look down...:-)
Rebecca, how TALL are you?----just kidding:)
Mr Charles,
Thank you so much for indicating the superiority of my species. Party on.