Self Closing Garage Door Requirement

The irc already included a requirement for these doors to be self closing equipped with a closer or spring hinges but for some reason it is still common to find garage doors that are not self closing.

Self closing garage door requirement.

One theory is that it is inconvenient to have a self closing door in that location. According to the nfpa fire code 14 5 4 self closing devices a door leaf normally required to be kept closed shall not be secured in the open position at any time and shall be self closing or automatic closing in accordance with 14 5 4 2 unless otherwise permitted by 14 5 4 3. It s code in most areas that the entry door to an attached garage be fire rated and have self closing hinges. Each fire door including its frame and hardware must be listed or approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.

An opening into an exit must be protected by a self closing fire door that remains closed or automatically closes in an emergency upon the sounding of a fire alarm or employee alarm system. But don t worry making this door self closing is as simple as changing two or three of the door s hinges or installing a door closer at the top of the door. We recommend that the door between garage and residence should be equipped with a self closing device although no longer required by the irc and fbc. Every 90 minute door in my supplier s catalogs comes standard with two self closing hinges the pins to set the spring tension are shipped loose but with the door.

Building owners have until july 31 2021 to comply with this requirement and failure to maintain self closing doors results in a class c immediately hazardous violation which must be corrected within 21 days. Every jurisdiction around here requires a 90 minute door with self closing hinges but i ve had a lot of handy man types asking for 3 4 hour doors lately. Get free shipping on qualified self closing door hinges or buy online pick up in store today in the hardware department.