Bringing Things Up to Code

When we remodeled our family room we wanted to do it right.  That meant bringing it up to code.  II like to share the information we find out as we fix up our house.

Fire Rated Door
The door from the garage to the house would only shut if you slammed it the correct way.  If you did not slam it, it did not shut.  So we needed a new door.  One of the code requirements it to have a fire rated door.  This means it would have a 20 minute or higher burn time (hence the picture of the side of the door).

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.

From Attached Garage Fire Containment - InterNACHI http://www.nachi.org/attached-garage-fire-hazards.htm#ixzz2OGxwae8g




Fire Rated Drywall
Yes, there is such a thing.  Most drywall is 1/2 in.  Fire Rated Drywall (X Rated) is 5/8 in.  This is supposed to be anywhere near where a fire could be (a.k.a. fireplace) or on the walls that attach to the drywall.

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.

From Attached Garage Fire Containment - InterNACHI http://www.nachi.org/attached-garage-fire-hazards.htm#ixzz2OGySzhOH