I have blogged about this “defect” several other times, but I always find it interesting nonetheless.
Most of my readers, who have teenagers, can relate to the worry associated with them fogging up the windows on Lovers Lane on date night–when they were supposed to be home!
But lets ignore the teenagers for just a moment.
If you have garages, with overhead doors and automatic openers newer than 1982, you may know about the sensor beams/eyes located near the floor at both sides of the door. These sensors are designed to reverse the door when a child, cat, dog or giant squirrel walks through the beam.
Surprisingly, I find this defect as many as 2 to 3 times a year.
Teenagers can be problematic more than 2 to 3 times a year.
These sensor beams are one of several reversing mechanisms required on modern automatic door openers and something your home inspector should be testing for proper function during the inspection.
It is a well know fact that teenagers apparently have no such reversing mechanisms.
One can only imagine the liability involved by installing the sensors other than where they belong–between 4” and 6” above the floor.
It is perhaps as dangerous as the teenagers in the back seat of the car—with their eyes stuck together.
Charles Buell, Real Estate Inspections in Seattle
Well, at least the installer saved the wire coil on each side should the owner like to correct the defect.
yes indeed.