[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 16, Volume 2]
[Revised as of January 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 16CFR1211.14]

[Page 336-337]
 
                     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.  1211.14  Instruction manual.

    (a) General. (1) A residential garage door operator shall be 
provided with an instruction manual. The instruction manual shall give 
complete instructions for the installation, operation, and user 
maintenance of the operator.
    (2) Instructions that clearly detail installation and adjustment 
procedures required to effect proper operation of the safety means 
provided shall be provided with each door operator.
    (3) A residential garage door or door operator shall be provided 
with complete and specific instructions for the correct adjustment of 
the control mechanism and the need for periodic checking and, if needed, 
adjustment of the control mechanism so as to maintain satisfactory 
operation of the door.
    (4) The instruction manual shall include the important instructions 
specified in paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) of this section. All required 
text shall be legible and contrast with the background. Upper case 
letters of required text shall be no less than \5/64\ inch (2.0 mm) high 
and lower case letters shall be no less than \1/16\ inch (1.6 mm) high. 
Heading such as ``Important Installation Instructions,'' ``Important 
Safety Instructions,'' ``Save These Instructions'' and the words 
``Warning--To reduce the risk of severe injury or death to persons:'' 
shall be in letters no less than \3/16\ inch (4.8 mm) high.
    (5) The instructions listed in paragraphs 1211.13(b)(1) and (2) 
shall be in the exact words specified or shall be in equally definitive 
terminology to those specified. No substitutes shall be used for the 
word ``Warning.'' The items may be numbered. The first and last items 
specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this section shall be first and last 
respectively. Other important and precautionary items considered 
appropriate by the manufacturer may be inserted.
    (6) The instructions listed in paragraph (b)(1) of this section 
shall be located immediately prior to the installation instructions. The 
instructions listed in paragraph (b)(2) of this section shall be located 
immediately prior to user operation and maintenance instructions. In 
each case, the instructions shall be separate in format from other 
detailed instructions related to installation, operation and maintenance 
of the operator. All instructions, except installation instructions, 
shall be a permanent part of the manual(s).
    (b) Specific required instructions. (1) The Installation 
Instructions shall include the following instructions:

                   Important Installation Instructions

    Warning--To reduce the risk of severe injury or death:
    1. Read and follow all Installation Instructions.
    2. Install only a properly balanced garage door. An improperly 
balanced door could cause severe injury. Have a qualified service person 
make repairs to cables, spring assemblies and other hardware before 
installing opener.

[[Page 337]]

    3. Remove all ropes and remove or make inoperative all locks 
connected to the garage door before installing opener.
    4. Where possible, install door opener 7 feet or more above the 
floor. For products requiring an emergency release, mount the emergency 
release 6 feet above the floor.
    5. Do not connect opener to source of power until instructed to do 
so.
    6. Locate control button: (a) within sight of door, (b) at a minimum 
height of 5 feet so small children cannot reach it, and (c) away from 
all moving parts of the door.
    7. Install Entrapment Warning Label next to the control button in a 
prominent location. Install the Emergency Release Marking. Attach the 
marking on or next to the emergency release.
    8. After installing opener, the door must reverse when it contacts a 
1\1/2\ inch high object (or a 2 by 4 board laid flat) on the floor.
    (2) The User Instructions shall include the following instructions:

                      Important Safety Instructions

    Warning--To reduce the risk of severe injury or death:
    1. Read and Follow all Instructions.
    2. Never let children operate, or play with door controls. Keep the 
remote control away from children.
    3. Always keep the moving door in sight and away from people and 
objects until it is completely closed. No One Should Cross the Path of 
the Moving Door.
    4. Test door opener monthly. The garage door MUST reverse on contact 
with a 1\1/2\ inch object (or a 2 by 4 board laid flat) on the floor. 
After adjusting either the force or the limit of travel, retest the door 
opener. Failure to adjust the opener properly may cause severe injury or 
death.
    5. For products requiring an emergency release, if possible, use the 
emergency release only when the door is closed. Use caution when using 
this release with the door open. Weak or broken springs may allow the 
door to fall rapidly, causing injury or death.
    6. Keep Garage Doors Properly Balanced. See owner's manual. An 
improperly balanced door could cause severe injury or death. Have a 
qualified service person make repairs to cables, spring assemblies and 
other hardware.
    7. Save These Instructions.

[57 FR 60455, Dec. 21, 1992. Redesignated and amended at 65 FR 70659, 
Nov. 27, 2000]