Fire-rated Doors

According to building codes, this doorleading from the garage into the house must be fire rated. Since vehicles filled with gasoline, and other flammable materials are often stored in a garage, the door must be strong enough to delay the spread of fire into the home.

And that's not all; the materials used for the wall and the ceiling between the garage and dwelling must also be fire rated, so they can withstand high temperatures without burning through too quickly. Here are some tips to check how your house rates:

• Fire-rated doors are usually made of metal and are identified as fire rated with a manufacturer's label.
  
• Check and patch any holes or gaps in walls and ceilings that connect the garage with the rest of the house. They can compromise your safety.
  
• Use only fire rated materials for construction projects in the garage.

It's always a good idea to check with your local building authority for proper fire code regulations; you stick to the code and you'll keep the fire slowed.