Garage door safety law has been compromised.

The overhead garage door is the heaviest moving structure in homes, apartment buildings and commercial buildings. The history of automatic garage door operating systems dates back to the early 1930s.

The 1930s saw the development of motorized overhead garage door operating systems. These operators utilized electro-mechanical controllers activated by push buttons or key stations.

In the 1940s, with overhead doors weighing as much as a thousand pounds counterbalanced with springs held by cabling, it became apparent that safety mechanisms had to be developed to prevent personal injury and property damage.

In the 1950s, hand-held radio controlled remote systems and built-in self-closing devices became adjuncts to door operating systems in apartment buildings. Overhead doors were frequently activated from long distances by persons not in sight of the door. Self-closing devices not under drivers' control were set to close doors in pre-set time frames.

Operators began being manufactured using various safety mechanisms. A mechanical slip clutch was installed to stop the door upon contact with an obstruction. A pneumatic hose installed along the bottom edge of the door reversed the door upon contact with an obstruction. A built-in safety device reversed the door upon contact with an obstruction.

All of the safety devices described above are still in use today; but what was a technological advance in the 1950s is antiquated in 1995. Slip clutch and internal safeties require constant inspections and adjustments and remain unreliable. Pneumatic hose devices are prone to environmental damage and vandalism.

Access Controls International has been servicing overhead garage doors since 1961. Our primary market is the high-rise multiple-dwelling. We service thousands of overhead garage doors throughout the five boroughs and we have always been an advocate of product safety. In 1976 our company was instrumental in aiding the New York City Health Department create a law for window guards to prevent child fall-out. There are over one million of our window guards installed protecting our children. In 1982 we worked in concert with the New York City Building Department to help create a law for smoke detectors. Our smoke detectors protect hundreds of thousands of families in New York City multiple-dwellings.

We have been combating the ever growing problem of personal injury, property damage, vandalism and lack of security for overhead garage doors in high-rise buildings. Our long-standing customers have taken the lead with our recommendations to replace the outdated self-closing device with our MagnaLoop vehicle detection system, Optical Safety Systems, safety cable installations, vandal-proof operator enclosures, track protectors, recessed restricted key systems and our new remote control data transmitters that send individual personal ID numbers to command the door to open from the vehicle.

In 1991, the Federal Government recognized the need to implement safety standards for overhead garage door electric operators and prohibited manufacturers and distributors from selling a door operator without an external safety device that meets UL 325 specifications. The guideline o f this specification was only met by one type of a device: The External Optical Safety System.

New York State, following the guidelines of the Federal Law, introduced and passed a Bill: Law 391-K. In a news release dated August 1, 1991, Assemblyman Daniel L. Feldman (D-Brooklyn) announced that New York State residents are now protected from a deathtrap under the new Automatic Garage Door Opener Safety Law. Assemblyman Feldman stated, "Automatic garage doors have been the source of great tragedy even though they offer daily convenience. Many people, including children, have been killed after being trapped under a closing garage door that failed to reverse upon impact. In addition, automatic garage doors have caused untold injuries and significant property damage. The enactment of this measure will spare others the grief and heartache that too many have suffered. New Yorkers will now be able to relax and enjoy a safer environment."

Senator Dean Skelos a cosponsor of the Feldman/Skelos Law, further stated: "More than 26,000 children have been injured and at least 68 have died after being pinned to the ground by an automatic garage door. We must establish safety standards for the design, manufacture and maintenance of the automatic garage door. This law will establish those standards."

In an effort to address the inadequate safety standards and prevent future tragedies, the Feldman/Skelos Law prohibits the manufacture, sale, and installation of a residential automatic garage door system that does not have an automatic reverse safety device complying with the standards of the Underwriters Laboratories. The service or repair of a unit that does not comply with the UL requirements cannot be initiated unless the service or repair brings the system into compliance. After January 1, 1993, every automatic garage door system must be equipped with an optical sensor, or similar protection device that when activated is designed to cause a closing door to open and prevent an open door from closing.

A safety law to protect New Yorkers against persistent deaths and injuries should not be compromised nor should it go into political gridlock when it becomes law!

The law that was introduced in 1991, was compromised. The original Bill cited mandatory compliance by the owner, but what finally came down to law was: The owner is not obligated to comply with the law initially. If someone is injured by a door not in compliance an award may be made to the Plaintiff for up to three times the actual damages, and the Attorney General's Office may then take out an injunction against the owner to enforce compliance and fine the owner an amount not to exceed $1,000 on a first offense. The Law further states: "The service company cannot repair a door unless the repair brings the door into compliance and must notify the owner of the danger. If the service company repairs a door not brought into compliance, the service company receives a fine not to exceed $500."

With violent crime on the rise and garages a haven for these crimes how can we, a service company, leave a door open to this breach in security. The fact that we have service contracts which clearly define emergency service seven days a week with response time and insurance protection for the owner led us to a meeting with the Attorney General's Office in early 1994. After evaluating our concerns, the Attorney General introduced a Bill to amend the 1993 Law. This March 1994 Bill stated that no owners of a multiple-dwelling shall maintain a garage door operating system that does not comply with UL 325. This Bill is still in Assembly as of this writing.

From the onset, with an effective date of January 1, 1993, we have been advocating that owners of high-rise buildings comply with the law and install external Optical Safety devices on their overhead garage doors. Owners should realize that they will be providing mandated protection for resident parkers and lowering garage repair bills for their property. The Optical Safety System will most definitely prevent costly repairs due to accidents.

I appeal to all owners of multiple-dwellings: Consider installation of this life saving device now. You will reap a monetary benefit in a short time, and in the long run you will receive gratification that you have protected the well-being of your tenants and shareholders.