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vdotmatrix

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Storms cause blow downs and power failures. A worker was in the shop working on his work truck and the power went out. His TRUCK is stranded inside with no way to open or close the shop doors to get his truck out until the power comes on.

the door motor is way up in the ceiling 16-20ft wired directly to the panel.

we have generators in the shop but I would need a transfer switch to send power to the door motor.

Any ideas?
 
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The Cobbler

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a simple power failure should not result in no way to exit a space .
and you've since edited your post. your original post was as follows ;
  • Storms cause blow downs and power failures. A worker was in the shop working on his work truck and the power went out. He is stranded in side with no way to open or close the shop doors to get his truck out until the power comes on.
 
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Relax

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The Cobbler said:
a simple power failure should not result in no way to exit a space .

  • Storms cause blow downs and power failures. A worker was in the shop working on his work truck and the power went out. He is stranded in side with no way to open or close the shop doors to get his truck out until the power comes on.
Click to expand...

The way I read it was that the worker was stranded because his truck was stuck behind the inoperable door. Kind of like being stranded on the side of the road during a breakdown doesn't mean you're literally stuck on the side of the road - you can always leave the car behind and start walking. But anything's possible, so we'll need the OP to clarify.
 
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loganb

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Even if it's a vertical lift door or a tall 14' tall opening the opener should have an emergency release that is accessible from the ground that disconnects the opener and allows manual operation.

Now depending on size and how well balanced it is will drive how easy it is to operate. But a couple pry bars or c clamp vise grips into the holes in the track can serve as "stops" to insert into the cutouts as the door rollers go past it to give physical stop to rest on while he pulls the vehicle out

If it's a sectional style roll up door, there should be a chain loop on the side that can be used to roll the door up after the release has been engaged
 
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BurtEggley

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anything is possible. Certainly there is a window that can be slid open.........
 
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vdotmatrix

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Relax said:
Doesn't the garage door opener have a disconnect so you can manually raise the door in the event of an opener failure?
Click to expand...
Nope.
Commercial door. Motor high overhead.
I guess the solution I have in mind is getting a simple transfer switch installed at the panel and run a small generator to run the door motor during a power failure. Happened a few winters ago, no power, couldn’t get the KUBOTA out to plow the property. **** happens on our other property in New Hampshire.
Never mind I guess just looking to augment my idea.
 
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vdotmatrix

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loganb said:
Even if it's a vertical lift door or a tall 14' tall opening the opener should have an emergency release that is accessible from the ground that disconnects the opener and allows manual operation.

Now depending on size and how well balanced it is will drive how easy it is to operate. But a couple pry bars or c clamp vise grips into the holes in the track can serve as "stops" to insert into the cutouts as the door rollers go past it to give physical stop to rest on while he pulls the vehicle out

If it's a sectional style roll up door, there should be a chain loop on the side that can be used to roll the door up after the release has been engaged
Click to expand...
Sorry there isnt but thanks for stopping by.
 
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PCustoms

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vdotmatrix said:
Nope.
Commercial door. Motor high overhead.
I guess the solution I have in mind is getting a simple transfer switch installed at the panel and run a small generator to run the door motor during a power failure. Happened a few winters ago, no power, couldn’t get the KUBOTA out to plow the property. **** happens on our other property in New Hampshire.
Never mind I guess just looking to augment my idea.
Click to expand...

Is there another door, or is he actually trapped in the building?
 
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Junkman

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Start the truck and push the door out of its tracks. It is an emergency and the door is sacrificial becasuse someone was so stupid not to plan for this event. If that won't work, then go over to the building and bust a hole into the side to save the worker. He could be stuck in the building for days and when they finaly get to him, he will have starved to death.
 
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racecougar

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WillyBoy

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Ensure that your employees have a cell phone with them at all times while working. The next time he's stranded inside the building, he can call the fire department to extricate him. They should have plenty of tools that can make a forced entry into that garage and free him. Once the building is closed and locked, how does anyone get inside to start the business day? Remote control for the overhead door?
 
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vdotmatrix

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abfish said:
The worker is not trapped. His truck is trapped.
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Thank you…. You would think, no matter how badly written my post, they would figure out that the worker is not trapped, his fkg truck is trapped.

We have two regular doors and a front and rear commercial garage door inoperable until the power is restored. There are numerous windows on the two upstairs offices that you might jump out of if you really felt trapped.

After sifting through the responses from the gallery, I can usually arrive at a constructive solution to real problems from this forum.

The door motor plugs into the ceiling outlet wired directly to the panel. We built this 40x60 heavy equipment shop ~40yrs ago and only now realizing shortcomings in design.

There is a link to what the motor looks like high in the fkg ceiling. We use to be able to reach the son of a b*tch by getting in the bucket of the front loader… I like the one idea of an APC backup but the power has been off for 12 hours and the adt power backup is very low; an APC would only last so long in frigid temps. I think running a switchable circuit to one of the motors would work, but a small transfer switch near the panel for a small generator or power source might be easier to implement. I put in a 10-circuit transfer switch for our standby so finding a smaller one seems to be the best solution….
 
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vdotmatrix

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WillyBoy said:
Ensure that your employees have a cell phone with them at all times while working. The next time he's stranded inside the building, he can call the fire department to extricate him. They should have plenty of tools that can make a forced entry into that garage and free him. Once the building is closed and locked, how does anyone get inside to start the business day? Remote control for the overhead door?
Click to expand...
This is not a business, this is a private heavy equipment shop. We have every tool, cutting implement or hydraulic lift you can think of-the over looked issue here is the occasional power outage. Thanks for responding….I am done.
 
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mike93lx

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vdotmatrix said:
Thank you…. You would think, no matter how badly written my post, they would figure out that the worker is not trapped, his fkg truck is trapped.

We have two regular doors and a front and rear commercial garage door inoperable until the power is restored. There are numerous windows on the two upstairs offices that you might jump out of if you really felt trapped.

After sifting through the responses from the gallery, I can usually arrive at a constructive solution to real problems from this forum.

The door motor plugs into the ceiling outlet wired directly to the panel. We built this 40x60 heavy equipment shop ~40yrs ago and only now realizing shortcomings in design.

There is a link to what the motor looks like high in the fkg ceiling. We use to be able to reach the son of a b*tch by getting in the bucket of the front loader… I like the one idea of an APC backup but the power has been off for 12 hours and the adt power backup is very low; an APC would only last so long in frigid temps. I think running a switchable circuit to one of the motors would work, but a small transfer switch near the panel for a small generator or power source might be easier to implement. I put in a 10-circuit transfer switch for our standby so finding a smaller one seems to be the best solution….
Click to expand...
A ups often will not work on a GDO due to startup load. The units with built in batteries will use a DC motor instead of AC.

I'd figure out a manual release as a first priority, then deal with power backup options
 
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zimman

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"After sifting through the responses from the gallery, I can usually arrive at a constructive solution to real problems from this forum."
Are you really sure about this? LMMFAO
What voltage is your door? 220?
Zim
 
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racecougar

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zimman said:
"After sifting through the responses from the gallery, I can usually arrive at a constructive solution to real problems from this forum."
Are you really sure about this? LMMFAO
What voltage is your door? 220?
Zim
Click to expand...

It appears to be 115V.

1778077752384.png
 
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Old tool guy

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Maybe it’s time to buy a real small portable generator or power pack and extend the power cord on the opener.

IMG_9619.jpeg
 
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Rst277

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Junkman said:
Start the truck and push the door out of its tracks. It is an emergency and the door is sacrificial becasuse someone was so stupid not to plan for this event. If that won't work, then go over to the building and bust a hole into the side to save the worker. He could be stuck in the building for days and when they finaly get to him, he will have starved to death.
Click to expand...
Since most north americans are either overweight or obese, it's very unlikely he will starve.
 
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mike93lx

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vdotmatrix said:
This is not a small garage door door. Thinking this thing through, there is a reason there is not a manual release on this thing. It is a BIG HEAVY door. Just imagine figuring out a manual release for this door……what happens? The whole thing comes crashing down….and what would that accomplish? Now a door disconnected on the tract and god help the us if the thing did the accordion thing when it comes off the tract. i think the manuf. would have done this if practical. I appreciate you input.
Click to expand...
There is no spring on it?
 
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