Thread: Auto Reverse Sensors Mounting Height

The height of these auto-reverse sensors on the garage doors was roughly 1.5 feet off the ground. I thought 4-6 inches up is the recommended height. The current mounting height of these sensors could allow a small child to lay beneath them and still not break the beam. Does mounting height vary by manufacturer or is there an accepted standard mounting height?

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Most of the installations I've seen recommend 4-6 inches from the floor.

Mandatory standards are for the electric eyes to activate at 6 inches.

DASMA Door and Access Systems Manufacturers Association
Look at #7 - the six inch rule

From the CPSC

Mandatory Standards:

• 16 CFR part 1211

TITLE 16--COMMERCIAL PRACTICES

CHAPTER II--CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION

PART 1211--SAFETY STANDARD FOR AUTOMATIC RESIDENTIAL GARAGE DOOR
OPERATORS--Table of Contents

Subpart A--The Standard

Sec. 1211.11 Requirements for photoelectric sensors.

(a) Normal operation test. (1) When installed as described in Sec.
1211.10(a) (1)-(4), a photoelectric sensor shall sense an obstruction as
described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section that is to be placed on
the floor at three points over the width of the door opening, at
distances of 1 foot (305 mm) from each end and the midpoint.
(2) The obstruction noted in paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall
consist of a white vertical surface 6 inches (152 mm) high by 12 inches
(305 mm) long. The obstruction is to be centered under the door
perpendicular to the plane of the door when in the closed position. See
figure 3.

Originally Posted by Jim Luttrall

Mandatory standards are for the electric eyes to activate at 6 inches.

DASMA Door and Access Systems Manufacturers Association
Look at #7 - the six inch rule

Jim,

Nope, not "activate at 6 inches"

(bold and underlining are mine)
"The Six-Inch Rule. The photo eyes mentioned above should not be installed higher than six inches above the garage floor. If the eyes are installed higher, a person or pet could get under the beam and not be detected by the photo eyes."

Thus the standard manufacturer's recommendation of 4" to 6" above the floor.

Which also meets the requirement stated in 16 CFR Part 1211:

"(2) The obstruction noted in paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall
consist of a white vertical surface 6 inches (152 mm) high by 12 inches
(305 mm) long."

That 6" tall vertical surface used to set off the photo cells will trip anything 6 inches high *or less*. The manufacturer's 4" to 6" also meets that.

Thanks guys.

Jim,

Nope, not "activate at 6 inches"

Correct, I should have said "above" not "at"

Originally Posted by Jim Luttrall

Correct, I should have said "above" not "at"

Jim,

Now you really have me confused ...

You really meant "at and below", not "above" ... ????

Mandatory standards are for the electric eyes to activate at 6 inches.

I wish I was like Richard and others who could speak more than one language, but I have enough trouble with English as it is ....