When it comes to garage door installation, maintenance and repair, there’s a reason those professional door installers exist. Overhead doors of all kinds can pose a serious risk to people and property if not properly installed, maintained or repaired. And if there is one thing we’d like to help business owners avoid, it’s a garage door injury.
Quality commercial garage doors are generally strong and durable, and even with heavy use, will last for many years. After all, the panels and other parts were designed to stand up to a strenuous workout, all day long. But any equipment that undergoes frequent usage also requires frequent maintenance. This is particularly true for the roll-up style doors favored at warehouses and in a variety of other commercial settings.
Overhead doors have many moving parts that can rust, come off track, bend or break. When you continue to operate an overhead garage door of any kind when you can tell something’s off, you’ll end up causing a domino effect of problems that could lead to some costly overhead door service.
Hazards of a Commercial Overhead Panel
If you’re like most business owners, you probably use your garage door all day long, opening and closing it as needed, scores of times each day. Because the full weight of these doors is balanced by springs, it’s easy to miscalculate how heavy the panels are. On average, commercial overhead door panels can weigh as much as 400 pounds or more.
You don’t want a door like this to come down full-force, damaging property, or worse, injuring an employee. Although not often publicized, garage door injuries do happen and are always a concern. The best way to prevent property damage or injury is to ensure you stay on top of maintenance. Commercial overhead doors and their openers are designed with safety measures in mind. But they need to be kept in good order for those safety measures to remain effective.
Be aware of potential hazards such as:
- Pinch points: Moving parts, such as hinges and rollers, can trap fingers, hands, or tools, leading to injuries.
- Faulty springs or cables: Worn or broken components can snap unexpectedly, causing doors to fall or operate unpredictably.
- Improperly balanced doors: Doors that are out of balance may be difficult to operate or could suddenly drop, creating a serious hazard.
- Obstructed tracks or rollers: Debris, dirt, or misaligned tracks can jam doors, creating operational risks and potential damage.
- Automation system malfunctions: Remote controls, keypads, or sensors that fail can lead to unsafe or unexpected door movement.
Recognizing common hazards can help businesses prevent accidents and maintain a safe operating environment.
Safety Inspection Checklist
Regular inspections are essential for keeping commercial overhead doors safe and fully functional. Use this checklist to stay proactive:
- Inspect springs, cables, and rollers for signs of wear, rust, or fraying.
- Ensure tracks are clear of debris and properly aligned to prevent jams.
- Test the manual release mechanism to confirm it works in case of power failure.
- Check sensors and automation systems for accurate operation, ensuring doors stop or reverse as intended.
- Lubricate moving parts according to manufacturer recommendations to maintain smooth, safe operation.
Following this checklist regularly can reduce downtime, prevent injuries, and extend the lifespan of your overhead garage doors.
Employee Training and Best Practices
Even the safest doors require proper operation. Train staff in safe operating practices, including:
- Safe opening and closing procedures
- Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from moving doors at all times
- Report malfunctions, unusual noises, or sticking doors immediately
- Post visible safety guidelines near each overhead door as a quick reference
Overhead Door Tune-ups for Businesses
One of the most beneficial investments a business owner can make is to schedule regular garage door inspections and tune-ups. When you sign up for periodic inspections, a professional technician will come and check out your panel and parts for signs of damage and wear-and-tear, then test it for safety. If damage or significant wear is found, you can have the parts replaced before it becomes a problem. Just like a car, a little maintenance here and there costs a lot less than a catastrophic failure, not just in repair costs, but in the downtime your business deals with while its overhead doors are out of commission. A commercial door installation, maintenance and repair company is there to do that for you, with an expert eye, so you don’t have any awful surprises down the road.