The Handles are Coming!

© 2001 Door & Access Systems
Publish Date: Spring 2001
Author: Tom Wadsworth
Page 20

The Handles are Coming!

On July 1, 2001, you may begin to see handles in the hardware box of every residential garage door.

DASMA 116, the voluntary standard that addresses residential garage door section interfaces, goes into effect on July 1, 2001. The core message of the new standard is that if a residential garage door is not pinch-resistant, it should have handles or suitable gripping points.

Since this may have a significant affect on your installation procedures, dealers are advised to contact their garage door manufacturer suppliers to discuss how the manufacturer will be handling compliance to the standard. The specifics of the new standard were described in the summer 2000 issue of Door & Access Systems (p. 18).

Joe Hetzel, DASMA technical director, has been responsible for coordinating the technical efforts of DASMA members in cooperation with the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). Hetzel noted that while he is aware of the CPSC’s expressed interest in monitoring the industry for compliance, he is confident that the industry will respond in innovative ways.

“There could be some unique and aesthetically different methods in the marketplace, with the first objective of safety always promoted,” he said. Hetzel also indicated that DASMA 116 is currently undergoing a “canvass” process to obtain accreditation as an ANSI standard, further establishing the standard’s credibility for technical content.

DASMA 116 is available for purchase through DASMA. If you are interested in obtaining the standard, please contact DASMA at 216-241-7333, fax 216-241-0105 or e-mail at dasma@dasma.com.