attached garage door to interior

Should garage door to interior be self-closing and fire rated? What other specs should i be aware of? Thanks

Be sure to note any pet doors or other openings in the door. Once the door has any penetrations in it, it no longer has its fire rating.

I’d suggest that you get some Code Check books.

Code check books are nice, but also check your local codes…around here the garage door does have to be rated, but does not need self closing hinges.

Same in South Carolina…

Fire Rated, self closing not required…

Make sure there is no exception in the codes for that town.

Many towns will take life safety codes over any other.

Here in Ma. the door can be solid wood core or solid or honeycomb core steel
door or a 20 minute fire-rated door, must have self closing devises but does not require to have fire-rated frames. But I have had BI’s insist on steel fire-rated doors with self-closing hinges.

But like others have mentioned check with local code to be sure.

Generally, areas under rules of the IRC do not require self-closing doors, and areas where the UBC is used (such as CA), require self-closing doors.

Do we ever go by local code?

Jeff can you tell me where i can find this as a requirement in codes, or manufactures installation guides or insurance standards or where can I find something?

You dug up an awfully old thread.
Gosh I asked stupid questions .

***Attached Garage Fire Containment

By Nick Gromicko, Rob London and Kenton Shepard ***
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*

An attached garage is a garage that is physically attached to a house. Fires that begin in attached garages are more likely to spread to living areasthan fires that originate in detached garages. For this reason, combined with the multitude of flammable materials commonly found in garages, attached garages should be adequately sealed from living areas. A properly sealed attached garage will ideally restrict the potential spread of firelong enoughto allowthe occupants time to escape the home or building.

Why are garages (both attached and detached) fire hazards?
Oil or gasoline can drip from cars. These fluids may collect unnoticed and eventually ignite.
Flammable liquids, such as gasoline, oil and paint, are commonly stored in garages. Some other examples are brake fluid, degreaser, motor oil, varnish, lighter fluid, and fluids containing solvents, such as paint thinner. These chemicals are flammable in their fluid form, and some may create explosive vapors.
Heaters and boilers, which are frequently installed in garages, create sparks that can ignite fumes or fluids. Car batteries, too, will spark under certain conditions.
Mechanical or electrical building projects are often undertaken in the garage. Fires can easily start while a careless occupant is welding near flammable materials.
Doors

The 2006 edition of the International Residential Code (IRC) states the following concerning doors that separate garages from living areas:

R309.1 Opening Penetration
Openings from a private garage directly into a room used for sleeping purposes shall not be permitted. Other openings between the garage and the residence shall be equipped with solid wood doors not less than 1-3/8” (35 mm) in thickness, solid- or honeycomb-core steel doors not less than 1-3/8” (35 mm) thick, or 20-minute fire-rated doors.
In addition, InterNACHI inspectors can check for the following while inspecting doors that separate garages from living areas:

While not required by the IRC, it is helpful if there is at least one step leading up to the door from the garage. Gasoline fumes and other explosive gases are heavier than air, and they will accumulate at ground level. Their entry beneath a door will be slowed by an elevation increase.
Doors should have tight seals around their joints to prevent seepage of fumes into the living areas of the house. Carbon monoxide,with the same approximate density as air (and often warmer than surrounding air), will easily rise above the base of an elevated door and leak through unsealed joints.
Doors should be self-closing. Many homeowners find these doors inconvenient, but they are safer than doors that can be left ajar. While this requirement is no longer listed in the IRC, it is still a valuable recommendation.
If doors have windows, the glass should be fire-rated.
Pet doors should not be installed in fire-rated doors. Pet doors will violate the integrity of a fire barrier.

Walls and Ceilings

The 2006 edition of the IRC states the following concerning garage walls and ceilings:

********* R309.2 Separation Required
The garage shall be separated from the residence and its attic area by not less than ½-inch (12.7 mm) gypsum board applied to the garage side. Garages beneath habitable rooms shall be separated from all habitable rooms above by not less than 5/8-inch (15.9 mm) Type X gypsum board or equivalent. Where the separation is a floor-ceiling assembly, the structure supporting the separation shall also be protected by not less than ½-inch (12.7 mm) gypsum board or equivalent. Garages located less than 3 feet (914 mm) from a dwelling unit on the same lot shall be protected with not less than 1/2–inch (12.7 mm) gypsum board applied to the interior side of exterior walls that are within this area. Openings in these walls shall be regulated by Section 309.1. This provision does not apply to garage walls that are perpendicular to the adjacent dwelling unit wall.
In addition, inspectors can check for the following while inspecting walls and ceilings:

In garages that have access to the attic, a hatch cover made from an approved, fire-rated material should protect this access at all times. Missing or opened covers should be called out, as should covers made from flammable materials, such as thin plywood.Garage attic door must be constructed such that the 45 minute ratingis maintained; any drywall edges on both the hatch and the surroundingarea exposed to physical damage are protected.The cover or door is installed so that it is permanent (non removable)with hardware to maintain it in a closed position with latchinghardware to maintain it in a closed position. This could beaccomplished by the use of spring loaded hinges, door closer, orhardware that will not allow it to be left in an open position when not inuse. A single bolt type or hook and eye hardware does not provide apositive closure since these would allow the door to be left open.Likewise drywall screws are “fasteners” and not hardware so theycannot be used as the only means of keeping access doors closed.
The living space is separated from the garage by a firewall that extends from the floor to the roof. If the ceiling material is fire-rated, the firewall can terminate at the ceiling.
Drywall jointsshall be taped or sealed.Joints shall be fitted so that the gap is no more than 1/20-inchwith joints backed by either solid wood or another layer of drywallsuch that the joints are staggered.*

Ducts

The 2006 edition of the IRC states the following concerning ducts that penetrate garage walls*and ceilings:

R309.1.1 Duct Penetration

Ducts in the garage and ducts penetrating the walls or ceilings separating the dwelling from the garage shall be constructed of a minimum No. 26 gauge (0.48 mm) steel sheet or other approved material, and shall have no openings in the garage.

Dryer exhaust ducts that penetrate garage walls are serious fire hazards. These ducts are generally made from plastic and will easily melt during a fire, creating a large breach in the firewall.

Floors

The 2006 edition of the IRC states the following concerning floors in garages:

********* R309.3 Floor Surface
Garage floor surfaces shall be of approved, non-combustible material. The area of the floor used for parking of automobiles or other vehicles shall be sloped to facilitate the movement of liquids to a drain or toward the main vehicle entry doorway.
Inspectors should also check for the following:

A curb is present along the perimeter of the garage floor. This curb is designed to prevent fluids from entering the living areas of the house. Curbs are often useful barriers for melted snow carried into the garage by automobiles, but curbs can also keep chemical spills contained in the garage.
Water heaters should be elevated above the floor by at least 18 inches. A pilot light may ignite spilled fluid or floor-level flammable fumes if the water heater is placed at floor level.

Concerning items placed on the floor, inspectors should check for the following:

All flammable liquids are stored in clearly labeled, self-closing containers, and in small amounts. They should be stored away from heaters, appliances, pilot lights and other sources of heat*and flame.
Propane tanks should never be stored indoors. If they catch fire, a serious explosion may result. Propane tanks are sturdy enough to be stored outdoors.
The floor should be clear of clutter. Loose papers, matches, oily rags, and other flammable items are dangerous if they are strewn about the garage floor.

General safety tips that inspectors can pass onto their clients:
Use light bulbs with the proper wattage.
Do not overload electrical outlets.
Tape down all cords and wires so they are not twisted or accidentally yanked.

In summary, attached garages should be sealed off from the living space so that fire may be contained.

I suggest self closing self latching solid door. I can’t always verify if it’s fire rate but i do look for the plate.