Motorized Door Safety

Motorized doors play a vital role in maintaining efficiency and security in commercial and industrial settings. To enhance safety and minimize the risk of injury and property damage around in these environments, incorporate Miller Edge sensing edges and photo optic solutions into your motorized commercial and industrial doors. Our solutions are designed to comply with safety standards and regulations relevant to motorized doors, such as ANSI/UL 325 guidelines and local building codes. Partner with Miller Edge, the leading manufacturer in motorized door safety.

Safety Guidelines for Motorized Commercial/Industrial Doors

Motorized commercial and industrial doors can pose potential hazards to people and property due to their considerable size, weight, and parts under tension. A qualified professional gate installation company can help you design a safe gate system. When operating motorized doors, be sure to always follow basic safety guidelines:

  • Regular Maintenance: Schedule regular maintenance by qualified technicians to identify and address potential issues before they become serious problems.
  • Repairs by Qualified Personnel: Ensure that repairs and adjustments to motorized doors are conducted by qualified personnel with expertise in the equipment.
  • Safety Sensors: Regularly test and maintain the functionality of safety sensors such as sensing edges and photo optics. Ensure they can detect obstructions and respond appropriately.
  • Visual Inspections: Conduct visual inspections of the door’s components to identify wear, damage, or misalignment. Address any issues promptly.
  • Training: Provide comprehensive training to employees who work near motorized doors. Ensure they understand the potential hazards and safety protocols, including emergency procedures.
  • Awareness: Promote awareness among employees about the potential dangers associated with motorized doors and the importance of adhering to safety precautions.
  • Clear Pathways: Maintain clear and unobstructed pathways around motorized doors to prevent accidents and allow for safe operation.
  • Documentation: Maintain detailed records of gate maintenance, inspections, and safety tests for documentation and compliance purposes.
Levels of Protection Guide

When selecting the appropriate level of protection for a motorized commercial/industrial overhead door, consider all potential safety hazards and incorporate the appropriate safeguarding into your overall door installation.

Safety Requirements

Effective August 29, 2010 (January 2016 for gates), UL 325 required that all commercial door operators bearing the UL label are required to be installed with a monitored safety device. This may be accomplished by:

  • Constant pressure on close button to close the door – No external sensors required.
  • Momentary contact on the close button to close the door – A UL 325 recognized monitored entrapment device is required.

Safety Considerations for Momentary Contact

Consider safety as a part of the overall door safety system. Miller Edge offers various products and configurations that have been tested and approved as UL 325 Recognized Components, ensuring your door is compliant with authority having jurisdictions. There are circumstances where you may want to increase safety for your environment by using more than a single device. For all installations, asses the risks and consider all potential safety hazards when selecting the appropriate safeguarding into your overall door installation.

To help you make the most informed decision for your unique environment, use the   Levels of Protection Guide

Safeguarding Solutions for Motorized Door Safety

When installed on a motorized commercial/industrial overhead door, Miller Edge sensing edges and photo optics help reduce the risk of injury and damage to vehicles, equipment, and property, keeping your business up and running. They fully comply with the standards of IBC-2009, ANSI/UL 325, CE, and OSHA, a cost-effective solution for end users. This enhances the overall safety and operational efficiency of these critical areas. Whether you a protecting an entrapment zone or a hazardous area, there are two primary types of devices:

  • CONTACT DEVICES: Sensing Edges
    Sensing edges are touch-sensitive devices commonly used to safeguard motorized commercial and industrial doors. They serve as physical safeguards by detecting obstructions upon contact with an object. When installed on the leading edge of a door and lightly touched, sensing edges send an immediate signal to the door’s motor to stop and/or reverse movement, preventing accidents and property damage. Sensing edges are robust and durable, providing reliable protection and enhancing the safety of motorized door operations in various industrial settings. We offer universal solutions: the profile that fits your door and the configuration required by your door operator.Miller Edge sensing edges are made to order to the required specifications for model, color, length, switch configuration, monitoring method, and wire outlet location. We offer models that mount directly to the leading edge of the door, as well as models that slide into to optional mounting channels.

For commercial door operators manufactured after August 29, 2010, UL 325 specifies that a monitored external entrapment protection device must monitor for the presence and function of the device at least once during each open and close cycle. If there is no external entrapment device, the operator can only operate by means of a constant pressure device, such as a push-button.

Monitored

  • Electric sensing edges: Contains two conductive strips, separated by a gap. When the sensor is compressed, the conductive elements touch each other. Touching of these conductive strips send an electric signal to the motor.
    • 2-Wire (terminated)
    • 4-Wire

Non-Monitored

  • Electric sensing edges: Contains two conductive strips, separated by a gap. When the sensor is compressed, the conductive elements touch each other. Touching of these conductive strips send an electric signal to the motor.
    • 2-Wire (non-terminated)
  • Air Activated: Contains a flexible hose that is sealed on one end and connected to an air switch with diaphragm on the opposite end. When the hose is compressed, it pushes air into the diaphragm, activating the switch, which then sends a signal to the motor.
    • Air-Wave (switch sold separately)
    • Pneumatic (switch sold separately)

Bumper

  • No sensor: Does not meet the UL 325 momentary contact requirement for post-August 31, 2010 momentary contact requirement.

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  • NON-CONTACT DEVICES: Photo Optics
    Photo optics, also known as photoelectric sensors, are non-contact devices that use light beams to detect objects or obstructions in their path. In motorized commercial and industrial doors, they provide precise and rapid object detection, enhancing safety by triggering immediate responses by the operator to stop and/or reverse motion. Their durability and reliability make them well-suited for continuous operation in industrial environments, and they play a crucial role in automating door functions while minimizing risks of collisions or accidents.Whether used on their own or in conjunction with a sensing edge for maximum door-to-floor coverage, we offer various photo optic styles to suit the needs of unique environments.

Single beam photo eyes:

  • Single beam photoelectric sensors are mounted within 6 inches from the floor. When the infrared beam of light is interrupted, they send an immediate signal to operator controls to stop and/or revers motion.
    • Thru-beam: A thru-beam photo optic system includes an emitting and a receiving unit. The units are mounted opposite each other, spanning the opening of the door. The emitter sends an infrared beam of light, which is accepted by the receiving unit.

Reflective: A reflective photo optic system includes a reflector and an emitter and receiver housed in one unit. The emitter/receiver unit emits a beam that is reflected back to be received by the unit.

  • Providing more vertical coverage than a single beam photo eye, light curtains utilize a series of thru-beam photo eyes within emitting and receiving units. Designed to provide a dense blanket of protection that, when interrupted, signals a door to stop and/or reverse motion. Light curtains are ideal for standard and high speed doors. Paired with a sensing edge, this combination offers the premier sensing solution for door systems. Can be combined with a sensing edge for added protection.

Expert Installation & Maintenance

The installation of Miller Edge products should only be performed by trained and qualified professionals due to the critical importance of ensuring that these safety solutions are correctly implemented. Trained individuals possess the necessary knowledge and expertise to assess the specific requirements of each installation, ensuring that the products are configured, positioned, and integrated accurately. This not only enhances safety but also reduces the risk of accidents, injuries, and property damage, which can help in minimizing liability and ensuring full compliance with industry safety standards and regulations.

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