Kent Fitzgerald
10-02-2007, 7:05 AM
I'm doing some work to insulate my garage and bring it up to current standards for fire protection. The walls were originally covered with rock lath panels but never finish plastered, and then paneled with pegboard (apparently for appearance only, because there's no space behind the pegboard to actually install hooks). I'm ripping out that nonsense and applying Type X drywall on the walls and ceiling.
The garage is attached, and the existing door into the house isn't fire rated, so I'll be replacing it with a self closing, self latching, fire rated door. So far so good, I think... here comes the dilemma. The existing door swings into the garage and interferes with another door on the adjacent back wall. I'd like to eliminate this nuisance by making the new door swing into the house.
After much web searching, I've found one (quite possibly erroneous) reference to a local code requirement that attached-garage entry doors must swing into the garage (to make them more resistant to pressure buildup from a fire). The IBC doesn't seem to care either way, and actual practice seems to be 50-50.
So, is it prudent and advisable to make the door swing into the garage, or is that overcautious, and should I take the route of convenience? Yes, I will consult my local code officer, but I've found that it helps to know what the answer is supposed to be before asking the question. :D
Thanks,
Kent
The garage is attached, and the existing door into the house isn't fire rated, so I'll be replacing it with a self closing, self latching, fire rated door. So far so good, I think... here comes the dilemma. The existing door swings into the garage and interferes with another door on the adjacent back wall. I'd like to eliminate this nuisance by making the new door swing into the house.
After much web searching, I've found one (quite possibly erroneous) reference to a local code requirement that attached-garage entry doors must swing into the garage (to make them more resistant to pressure buildup from a fire). The IBC doesn't seem to care either way, and actual practice seems to be 50-50.
So, is it prudent and advisable to make the door swing into the garage, or is that overcautious, and should I take the route of convenience? Yes, I will consult my local code officer, but I've found that it helps to know what the answer is supposed to be before asking the question. :D
Thanks,
Kent