The language backed by Chamberlain would require that only “non contact” technologies be used.

Doors that reverse course if the bottom edge hits something could not be used in the United States, even though these types of doors are in use in Europe.

Along with other door makers, Marantec, which has hired Policy Impact to help it makes its case on Capitol Hill, complains that Congress should follow the regular safety procedures and not move to block any particular technology.

On Monday, Giarratana was scheduled to meet with staff to Durbin and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah).

Utah’s state includes the door manufacturer Martin Doors, which may use the Marantec system.

Chamberlain, meanwhile, has hired Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld to lobby on its behalf.

Paul Scolese of Akin Gump said that UL did not sufficiently review the non-contact technologies and that Congress should step in to ensure that the safest system continues to be employed.

“Do you want a garage door to hit you on the head before it reverses, or to never hit you on the head?” Scolese said.

“The difference in safety is obvious.”

Scolese says a 3-year-old in Belgium and an elderly man in Germany were recently killed by garage doors that did not use infrared eyes.

The infrared eyes on doors have prevented deaths in the United States, Scolese said.

A number of injuries are still reported each year relating to automatic garage doors. According to the CPSC, more than 2,100 emergency room injuries related to garage doors were reported in 2006.

Giarratana notes that Chamberlain sells a system in Europe that doesn’t use the infrared technology in use on garage doors in the United States.

“If it’s unsafe, why sell it in Europe?” Giarratana said.

The Marantec system reverses after one second if it hits something with over 15 pounds of pressure. Giarratana equated that to putting a finger on a scale.

He called Chamberlain’s campaign against the technology “inaccurate and self-serving.”