Senate Bill ratifies new laws on Thursday February 1, 2018 which mandatory all new automated garage door systems to incorporate backup battery to their garage doors openers. This law was proposed to increase the residential safety. If approved, the bill would be in effect on July 1, 2019.

This proposed law obliges an automatic garage door opener that is manufactured for sale or installed in residence to comply with specified safety requirements, stipulating that the automatic garage door opener must have a battery backup and an automatic reverse safety device. The bill makes a violation of those provisions subject to a civil penalty of $1,000.

The bill was proposed to raise the awareness and give people the life safety. Backup batteries are affordable and already available for existing garage door opener models. Some modern garage door openers feature built-in battery backups; however, the majority of the general public keep petering that why such a bill? If the bill were accepted, it would boost the sales for automatic garage door opener manufacturers, the proposal demand for more inspection by the legislators and by the industry

The Senate Bill 969 Garage Door Opener Information

Forbid any person, company or organization in California to produce, buy, sell, offer for sale or install an automatic opening of a garage door that does not have a battery backup designed for operation in case of power failure. Use a battery backup to operate the garage door without interruption during the power failure. Violate these provisions with a civil fine of $ 1,000. At from Jan. 1, 2019, the replacement of residential garage door coupled to an existing garage door opener that lacks battery backup, notwithstanding the production date of the opener would be prohibited.

Reasons Behind Senate Bill 969 Regarding Residential Garage Door Openers

The proposal comes into existence in response to wildfires that occurred in October 2017. The fire apparently caused a power outage and residents who were unable to open their garage door to flee the flames lost their lives. “Ensuring we have battery backups for residential automatic garage door systems is a small step that can save lives,” said Dodd.

Some old aged victims were reportedly unable or didn’t know how to use the garage door opener emergency release mechanism and lift their garage door manually. During one of the fires, Dodd faced this situation and should help him to open his “heavy wooden garage door” He said one of his neighbors was forced to drive through his garage door to flee.

About one hundred thousand households yearly reported being suffered from this stressful situation. Just think of natural disasters such as whirlwind, ice storms, and hurricanes that uproot the tree from their roots and cause several power outages. Declining tree plays a significant role to power outages. Some of these mishaps can last for days, weeks, and even months, but as you may have seen it, this feature was not good enough due to long power outages and the access to your garage door has a manual function. However, the new models possess the possibility of opening the door up to 10 times, and the batteries backups should expired after three years.

The technologies had advanced and modern residential garage doors come in with many styles and designs. Sectional roll-ups are most common but other systems such as sliding and flat folding are also present. With that being said, modern garage door systems provide several improvements over the old systems. Whether its functionality or safety – all this is important and good reasons for replacing old garage door systems.

Why Battery Backup?

If your automatic garage door system lack battery backups, why should you get one? Here are some reasons why you should consider installing garage door opener that features battery backup:

Power outage: If the power interrupted, you could still get access your garage.

Severe weather: when whirlwind, power lines regularly go down, you can even get access your garage.

Emergency: If you have an emergency, you can always get your car out of your garage and fast.

Choose Opener System with Battery Backup

Some garage doors, especially wood, glass and custom garage doors can be extremely heavy to operate, therefore, choosing a garage door opener that features battery backup will enable you and any other family member to always open the garage door. Even If a battery backup is optional, it is very worthy to get one. The price is inexpensive and if you are handy, you will be able to install it yourself. If you’re having problems installing and wiring your battery backup you can always contact your local garage door repair company and ask for more information.

How to Test your Opener’s Battery Backup

These are the following tips to safely know if your garage door opener battery backup is working correctly or not:

First, listen to a warning alarm coming from the garage door opener, this is indicating that the battery backup is low and/or expired.

Monitor the battery backup life pointer on the wall control panel. Low battery could suggest by a red light or just a message.

Test and examine the garage door opener by unplugged it. If you were trying to operate the door while the opener is unplugged and nothing occurs, this indicates that the battery backup is not working correctly.

If you discover that the door opener battery backup is low or is not working correctly, contact your local garage door repair experts for replacement and installation.

Why you Should Replace Your Old Garage Door Opener

Thought about replacing your garage door opener? The listed below are the latest safety and security features in the residential automated garage door industry.

Garage Door Opener Safety Eyes Feature

Manufacturers are legally obliged to equip garage door openers with infra-red garage door safety eyes system. This system uses two sensors that are approximately 12 inches from the ground level on each side of the garage door opening. When unexpected obstruction passes through the light beam that is emitted by these sensors while the door is closing, the door is pointed to stop and turn the action.

Garage door openers cause several grievances due to a lack of standard safety features such as the safety eyes feature, which changes the door closing direction in case of sudden inadvertence. If your current garage door opener is not equipped with a safety eyes, or has one but is defective, it is highly recommended that you replace it with a new up-to-date garage door opener.

Rolling Code Technology

A recent report shows that children’s toys are used to open the garage door, which is the reason you have to ensure that you have the safest garage door system achievable. The best way to ensure your garage door and home security is using rolling code technology. Every time you use your garage door remote control, with more than one million possible combinations, the system will randomly choose a new code to transmit, ensuring that no one will be able to get your transmitting combo and operate your garage door remotely.

With the introduction of smart technology, additional security features have added to the garage door openers. For example, the LiftMaster has built-in Wi-Fi or MYQ technology combined with patented Security + 2.0, which enables owners to use Smartphone to activate their garage doors from anywhere in the world. The technology will notify you if your garage door is activated while you are not at home.

Garage Door Opener Battery Backup

In the event of a power failure and in case your and/or any other person is unable to operate the garage door manually, a garage door opener that equipped with a battery backup system allows to automatically operate the garage door even when power is off.

Garage Door Opener Emergency Release

The garage door emergency release allows you to disengage the door from the garage door opener so that you can open the garage door manually. While some garage doors tend to be extremely heavy, in most cases, the garage door springs system provides enough counterweight that an adult can easily lift the door manually.

The emergency release feature is crucial as with any system failure you may still need to operate the garage door and access in or out of your garage. The feature is also useful for diagnosis when it comes to ensuring that your garage door is adequately balanced.

The emergency release feature is very handy, however, burglars realized that they can take advantage the feature to their favor by pooling the emergency release cord from outside, releasing the garage door to manual mode and enter your property. Luckily, you can read more about how to address this issue and how to boost your garage door security.

Motor’s Horsepower

Horsepower is another thing to consider when it comes to garage door opener. It is about getting the right power level. If your hp is too high for your system, your garage door opener may consume more power and won’t be energy efficient. It would be like having a forklift to carry a suitcase. If you do not have enough Horsepower, your automatic unit will work excessively or fail to lift your garage door. The inflator garage opener can also be a specific security risk, such as unsteady opening and closing.

With a lack of safety eyes, auto reverse system and the possibility to add battery backup, old garage door opener systems are simply unsafe and booty for thieves. If the Senate Bill will pass, a seller who breaches the notice requirement associating to automatic garage door openers, is subject to a $1000 civil penalty. If approved, the bill would be in effect on July 1, 2019, but you do not have to wait until then. At Champion Garage Door Repair, we stock and carry garage door openers with a battery backup which comply with the requirements written in Senate Bill 969 and follow federal safety regulations. Call today for further information and support!