Garage Fire Separation - Entry into Bedroom from Garage

Upon inspection of the garage, it was noted that a bedroom entry door was connected to the garage of the home. While this may have been common/allowed at the time when the home was originally built, today’s modern building safety standards do not allow a bedroom to be connected to a garage. These modern construction standards such as fire separation walls and fire rated doors are intended to slow the spread of a fire originating in a garage and allow occupants within the home time to safely escape.

Garage Fire Separation – Alteration to Garage Entry Door

The garage entry door between the interior of the home and garage had been altered and is no longer providing effective fire separation between the garage and the home. When a garage is attached to the home, modern building safety standards recommend that the garage be separated from the home and attic by a continuous fire separation wall constructed of gypsum board (drywall) or another approved fire-retardant material and appropriate fire rated doors. These fire separation means are intended to slow the spread of a fire originating in a garage and allow occupants within the home time to safely escape. It is recommended that the door panel be repaired or replaced as needed.

Garage Fire Separation – Entry Door Not Fire Rated

The garage entry door between the interior of the home and garage did not appear to be a fire rated door. When a garage is attached to the home, modern building safety standards recommend that the garage be separated from the home and attic by a continuous fire separation wall constructed of gypsum board (drywall) or another approved fire-retardant material and appropriate fire rated doors. These fire separation means are intended to slow the spread of a fire originating in a garage and allow occupants within the home time to safely escape. It is recommended that the fire rating of the door panel be evaluated by a qualified door and window contractor and if it is in fact not fire rated, replacement considered.

Garage Fire Separation – Entry Door Missing Self Closure

The garage entry door between the home and garage did not have an operable self-closure device. When a garage is adjacent and attached to the home, modern building safety standards recommend that the garage be separated from the home and attic by a fire rated door with a self-closure device and a continuous fire separation wall of gypsum board (drywall) or another approved material. These measures are intended to slow the spread of a fire originating in a garage and allow occupants within the home time to safely escape. It is recommended that a self-closure device be installed on the door.