"Condition of garage doors and operators"
1) As is the case with any installation of automatic garage door operators it is
important that the doors are in good condition and are working in accordance
with the manufacturers specifications. in other words springs, lifting cables,
pivot pins, pulleys, drums, hinges, in fact every component must be in good
working order.
2) The balance of a door is vitally important. Before installing an automatic
operator, test the door to make sure that it is properly balanced.
3) If the doors are not in a good state of repair, DO NOT INSTALL AN OPERATOR !
4) If for any reason, you fit an operator to a door which is dysfunctional or is not in
sound mechanical condition, or may be considered to be operating below the
manufacturers specifications, and as a result thereof persons or property may be
injured or damaged, YOU the installer may be held responsible and liable.
5) The responsibility for ensuring that the doors are in a condition which is
acceptable for the installation of automatic garage door operators remains
soley with the installer.
6) The law takes the view that you are the expert and therefore you should
know best. You cannot have the client indemnify you against any damages.
This would be contrary to the individuals "common-law rights". The law, now,
is quite clear in this regard.
7) The best policy for all concerned and especially for installers is simply this:-
FIX THE DOOR BEFORE YOU AUTOMATE IT.
SABS-IEC STANDARD NO 60335-2-95
This new standard specification is about to be published and its impact will be
felt far and wide in the door and gate industry. The most important aspect of
this standard is that the minimum levels of safety for door and gate operators
have been set and all installations may be compared to this standard. The
responsibility for maintaining the standard will be placed squarely on the
shoulders of the installers, in much the same way electricians are responsible
for the work they do. DIY's take note !
If something goes wrong and someone is injured by an automatic garage door
or gate and the cause is deemed to be due to inferior installation procedures or
workmanship, or failure to observe the standards laid down, the blame will fall
at the foot of the installer. The law will assume that if you install automatic operators
to doors and gates, you have satisfied yourself that the installation will comply with
the standard laid down. Do not underestimate the seriousness of these standards or
the consequences that may result from any transgression thereof.
Occupational Health and Safety Act No. 85/1993.
Are you aware.........
That any employee who commits or omits to do an act which is in contradiction
with the act, shall be guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of
up to R50 000.00 and / or 12 months imprisonment.
That any employer / contractor who commits or omits to do an act, thereby
causing any person to be injured or killed as a result of his actions shall be
guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of up to R100 000.00
and / or 24 months imprisonment.
It is the responsibility of the employer / contractor to ensure that adequate
measures are taken to protect employees and the public from the risk of
injury. Adequate security measures shall be provided and implemented.
These measures shall include ( but not limited to ) the training of staff and
the public and the provision of adequate messages and visual instruction.
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!!
ALL WORK COMPLETED COMPLIES WITH THE SOUTH AFRICAN SAFETY STANDARDS.
The Lowest Tenderer.
It is unwise to pay too much, but it is worse to pay too little. When you pay too
much, you lose a little money_ that's all. When you pay too little you sometimes
lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing
it was bought for. The common law of business prohibits paying a little and
and getting a lot_it can't be done. If you deal with the lowest tenderer it is well
to addsomething for the risk you run, and if you do that, you will have enough
to pay for something better.
John Riskin (1819-1900 ).