Abstract: Electrically operated folding operable walls are provided that are controlled by an electrical operation circuit of the type having a key switch, a control panel, an extend limit switch, a stack limit switch, control relays and a motor. The invention consists of a mechanism for creating an infrared barrier curtain on opposite sides of an operating path of the folding operable walls. Another mechanism is for shutting down the electrical operation circuit of the folding operable walls when a physical obstruction enters into the operating path of the folding operable walls and interrupts the infrared barrier curtain. Still another mechanism is for restarting up the electrical operation circuit of the folding operable walls after the physical obstruction is removed from the operating path of the folding operable walls.