The biggest door in the house can also be a big danger

The garage door is the biggest door in the house - and that big door can mean equally big danger, especially when it's fitted with an automatic opener. All that is set to change with the introduction of new compliance standards for automatic garage door openers on March 1. That means homeowners need to check the safety of their garage doors. Leading garage door automation supplier, Merlin is the first garage door automation company in Australia to embark on a consumer compliance and safety campaign. The company offers the several tips to help homeowners check that their device complies with the new standards. “As the garage door is the largest moving object in a home, it is essential that homeowners check that they have a safe and reliable opener that is compliant with Australian and New Zealand standards,” Merlin marketing director, Grant Emanuel says. “Naturally, many people assume all garage door openers bought and installed in Australia are compliant with Australian and New Zealand standards, however, this is not always the case,” Grant says. “Consumers need to be wary of non-compliant imports, as they may not meet the required safety standards.”     As a non-declared electrical item, garage door openers do not require a certificate of approval prior to sale, but must comply with the relevant Australian Standards. Grant says homeowners can differentiate between compliant and non-compliant garage doors openers by identifying a number of features that should be present in a compliant opener, including:

1. The product meets the safety reversal check – i.e. if the door comes into contact with an obstruction it should automatically reverse back up within 0.75 of a second and less than 40kgs of force 
2. The label states the manufacturer's name and details
2. The label states the manufacturer's name and details 
3. There is a C-tick mark, which will be replaced by the Regulatory Compliance Mark on March 1
3. There is a C-tick mark, which will be replaced by the Regulatory Compliance Mark on March 1 
4. Availability of a Certificate of Suitability for each product if requested
4. Availability of a Certificate of Suitability for each product if requested

    “The industry has taken a number of positive steps in recent months to increase consumer protection in this area," Grant says. "At Merlin we have always been on the front foot on this issue by making ‘Certificates of Suitability’ available for each product to identify compliance. 
From March 1 we will also carry the new Regulatory Compliance Mark on all products.” Grant encouraged automated garage door opener owners to follow the guidelines from the Australian Garage Door Association, which advises homeowners to ensure their door is safe by regularly greasing and booking a technician service it every 12 months. For more information, visit www.gomerlin.com.au