The Doorsmithian

The commercial application of OVERHEAD SECTIONAL DOORS is seen abundantly.Generally, a stack of 2′ tall PANELS are hinged together. Rollers are at the outer hinges, which travel through J-TRACK, or SAFETY TRACK. Rollers can be 2″ or 3″. They should always be LONG STEM SAFETY ROLLERS. Period.  And, I see a lot of doors that do not use them. If a door becomes too much out of alignment, by say, BROKEN CABLE, HIT BY FORKLIFT, SLIPPED DRUM, FORCED OPERATION WHEN JAMMED, well, short stem rollers can pull right out of the hinges, and the entire door can fall. Above all, IT COST A LOT LESS TO FIX A DOOR, THAN IT DOES TO FIX A PERSON.SAFETY TRACK is of heavier gauge, and is configured to make it even more difficult for the roller to be removed. A good example would be of those seen on ONE PIECE COUNTER BALANCE OVERHEAD DOORS.DOOR TRAVEL falls into three types: STANDARD LIFT, or REGULAR LIFT, has track radius at the header. This is typically used when there is ceiling space consideration. And, for some reason, ROLLING STEEL DOORS were not chosen. With the OVERHEAD TRACK being at it’s shortest height, this type is most vulnerable to FORKLIFT TRAFFIC.HIGH LIFT has track radius a distance above the header. This helps door equipment become less exposed.FULL VERTICAL LIFT lets the door travel straight up the wall.TORSION ASSEMBLIES are located above track radius.Consider DOOR REPAIR TECHNICIAN ACCESSIBILITY when building around DOOR EQUIPMENT. Wow, I just got to speak up for our industry, I love it.TORSION ASSEMBLIES consist of SHAFT, TORSION SPRINGS, PLUGS, CENTER BRACKET, BEARINGS, SUPPORT BRACKETS, CENTER COUPLER, DRUMS, FLAG BRACKETS, and DRIVE ASSEMBLIES, to name a few. Let’s go over them:A BENT SHAFT can be caused by a number of things. LIGHT GAUGE HOLLOW SHAFT is the least desirable, though more economical. TORSION TUBE is another term for this type. I would specify a minimum of 11 GAUGE SHAFT when using HOLLOW SHAFT. HOLLOW SHAFT does allow for good SET SCREW PENETRATION and bite. SOLID SHAFT is used for HEAVIER APPLICATIONS. It will make use of KEYED SHAFT, using 1/4″, OR 5/16″ KEY STOCK to secure positions of the drums.SPRING CALIBRATION affects DOOR TRAVEL. First off, we need to make sure the last guy didn’t re-use the TORSION ASSEMBLY from a previous door, with different WEIGHT / DOOR TRAVEL characteristics. SPRING CALIBRATION considers the weight of the DOOR, the travel of the DOOR, and the type of DOOR TRAVEL. A SPRING CONVERSION is sometimes used during SPRING REPLACEMENT.When having a BROKEN SPRING replaced, replace all of the springs. The other springs are just as fatigued, Disassembly of TORSION ASSEMBLY, would only have to be considered, once, if you replaced them all, at the same time.A PROPERLY TRAINED TECHNICIAN will lubricate TORSION ASSEMBLIES, to minimize SPRING FATIGUE. He will also make sure SET SCREWS, and HARDWARE are secure.SPRING ADJUSTMENT, should be properly adjusted, to match, DOOR TRAVEL. The door should be able to just hold itself up, when in the open position. If the door drifts downward, from open position, it exposes the lower panels to FORKLIFT TRAFFIC. If the door flies upward, an abrupt stop is met at the end of door travel. This scenario will cause hardware to loosen, and wear out. The ROLLERS, can also, come out of the track. The TOP SECTIONS will show damage at the TOP FIXTURES, where, hopefully, it is, at least, making contact, with BUMPER SPRINGS.BUMPER SPRINGS help cushion the end of upward DOOR TRAVEL. They also, keep positive tension against the CABLES, and help prevent CABLES from falling off the DRUMS. PUSH DOWN SPRINGS, can also, keep positive tension on the CABLE. These can allow for more CUSHION TRAVEL, and are helpful, when an ELECTRIC HOIST OPERATOR tries to negotiate the TRACK RADIUS, with the BOTTOM FIXTURES.BOTTOM FIXTURES require special attention. DO NOT mess with them. They are connected to a cable LOADED with kinetic energy. They need to be secure, and in good condition.CABLES need to be in good condition, without frays, kinks, or unwinding. The NICRO PRESSED SLEEVES of these cables should have been properly squeezed during previous installation.You might check, and see, if YOUR DOOR REPAIR COMPANY uses rollers that are rated for 10,000 cycles. The cost considerations are insignificant.STEEL ROLLERS can easily have the shoulders ground, for ONE PIECE DOOR APPLICATIONS. NYLON ROLLERS can limit noise. NOISE can often be a consideration. 11 GAUGE HINGES are available, which are sure to help the creaks.GEAR HEAD OPERATORS are definitely of the INDUSTRIAL GRADE, but are remarkably QUIET.SECTIONAL PANELS can be constructed of STEEL, WOOD, and FIBERGLASS / PLASTICS. They can be INSULATED, and made to REDUCE NOISE. I have even seen products made for READY RETROFIT, and BREAK AWAY DESIGNS, to consider forklift traffic.Special BOTTOM FIXTURE DESIGNS, are available, to help prevent the door from dropping, in the event of CABLE FAILURE, or, SPRING FAILURE. I’ve found a handy, spring loaded, tear dropped shaped “roller”, that locks itself off when it mechanically senses release of cable tension. Some BOTTOM FIXTURES, have a cable tension design, that helps maintain proper cable feeding onto the CABLE DRUM.TROLLEY OPERATORS are quite useful for OVERHEAD SECTIONAL DOORS, as the operator stays connected to the top section, rather than the shaft. REVERSING DEVICES, help detect obstructions, but nothing is fool proof. A HOIST OPERATOR can turn the CABLES right off the DRUMS, if it fails to detect an obstruction.Everything has their considerations, choose the right applications.Doorsmith, Inc. is a commercial repair, and installation, service that proudly serves Orange County, California. We find strength in communication, and awareness. I hope this comment will produce to more outside contributors.Feel free to post detailed, specific, inquiries regarding different FACILITY perspectives, with the nature of DOORS, DOCK LEVELERS, GATES, ELECTRIC OPERATORS, GATE OPERATORS, STORE FRONTS, GLASS / ALUMINUM DOORS, FRAME LESS GLASS DOORS, LOCKS, LOCK HARDWARE, EXIT DEVICES, PANIC HARDWARE, SAFETY DEVICES, PALLET RACK MANAGEMENT, ACCESS CONTROL, CCTV, EMERGENCY SERVICE, PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE.Doorsmith, Inc. can be reached at800 315 6839California Contractor’s License number 902488.Doorsmith, Inc. will never advise self service in any, shape, or form. Please use the service of a professional.