Hi Everyone,
I’m interested in replacing the door from my kitchen to the garage. Currently I have a plain steel door that is functional but not very attractive. I’d like to put in a wood one–possibly with mullions that would match some of my cabinets. As I understand it though, it would need to be a fire rated door. Does anyone know of a on-line source for doors of this type or have any other suggestions?
Thanks in advance,
Gary
Replies
Not sure where you are, but if you are in Ontario, Canada, there is a common misconception that a fire separation is required between a dwelling unit and a garage serving that dwelling unit alone. If you look under 9.10.9.16 of the OBC, the construction between doesn't have to be rated, but has to provide an effective barrier to gas and exhaust fumes, and the connecting door has to be tight fitting, weatherstripped to provide an effective barrier to gas and fitted with a self closing device. No rating required.
First & foremost, don't fool around buying one door online. Your local supplier should be able to easily handle this. With that said, my local code for residential work (CABO 1&2 Family, 1995) requires either solid wood doors 1-3/8" or greater, or 20 minute fire rated doors. Twenty minute doors allow wood jambs rather than steel but my understanding is that you can't get glass unless it's wire reinforced, and then there would be a 100 square inch limit. The 20 minute is often available as about a $5 option on non-glazed steel doors. Here, it's referred to as an "avadavit label" as there isn't a physical label attached to the slab. All that happens is a plain Jane steel door gets certified as being 20 minute. Your receipt for the door becomes the "label". If your code requires something more than this, then the slab will need to have a label attached from one of the licensors for this type of work. Warnock-Hersy is one example. To get that type label requires a steel jamb. The more you dig into this area, the more confusing it gets. My advice is bag the glass idea. If you want a six panel, get either a steel one or, preferably, a ThermaTru "Smooth-Star" fiberglass #S-510. There's also an S-570, which is a four panel arch style. Both the ThermaTru's are 20 minute, wood jamb units. Else, get a flush wood or a steel unit with the afadavit. BTW, 20 minute units are sometimes referred to as smoke & draft doors and not as true fire doors. That's probably more accurate.
Al
Thanks very much for the responses. Sounds like the best idea is to check with a local supplier and find how what my options are.