Your Garage Door Must Have a Battery Backup – It Is Now the Law
As of July 1, 2019, have a battery backup in your garage door is more than a suggestion – it is the law. Read on to learn why this law was enacted and how it may affect you. If you would like to replace your garage door, turn to the experts at Dynamic Garage Door by calling us at 855-343-3667.
The Current Law was a Reaction to the 2017 Fires
We do not need to remind anyone in California that 2017 was one of the worst years for wildfires in California history. In fact, the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection determined that more than 1.5 million acres of land were consumed by fire, and there was upwards of $18 billion in property damage.
Even more tragically, 47 people died in the fires – including two firefighters. It is likely that some of those deaths would not have happened if every garage door had had a battery backup.
More About the Law That Was Passed
With support from both sides of the aisle, California Law-SB 969 was signed on September 21, 2018, and went into law as of July 1, 2019. It requires that any automatic garage door opener sold, offered for sale, or installed in a home must have a battery backup function that will keep the garage door operation in the event the electricity goes out.
Anyone found in violation of the law will face a civil penalty of $1,000. This does not mean that all garage doors that do not have automatic battery backups must be upgraded but we strongly encourage you to do so.
Can Battery Backups Really Save Lives?
At least five of the people who died in the 2017 wildfires died in their garage and could not get out because of the power outage. Fires burned around their homes and all other doorways were blocked. They went to the garage to try and leave, only to find that their garage door would not open due to the power outage. If these five people had been able to open their garage, they might be alive today.
Yes, it is true that there are emergency release cords and other methods of opening a garage door opener that has lost power. However, older citizens, people who have various medical conditions, or people with disabilities are not always able to use this cord to open the garage door. A battery backup is a much better option to allow a person to flee their home even if they have no power.
It May Be Time to Replace Your Garage Door
If your garage door opener does not have a battery backup, you can have one added – but it may be time to upgrade to a new custom garage door that better meets your overall needs. Otherwise, Dynamic Garage Door at 855-343-3667 for garage door repair.
