Using Automatic Garage Door As A Entry Into The House

Here is the applicable section from the 2018 irc.

Using automatic garage door as a entry into the house.

For many people the entryway between house and garage is the most used door in the home. 1 security weak spot in most garages. Once you see how easy it is to do you should be inspired to always lock the door between the garage and the house. 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.

Once a thief is in the garage he can work unobserved to access the locks on the entry door. It only takes a few seconds and you could do it too. For even more protection consider installing an automatic garage door lock to automatically deadbolt your garage door every time you close it. Lock the entry door.

The purpose is to keep a garage fire from spreading to the house. Ads automatic door specialists one large panel with an attached shelf becomes a smart looking stand in for a table in your foyer. On one house i owned the garage was attached but didn t access the house directly. An entryway is transformed with a garage door as console table.

A sensor can tell you if your overhead door is open or closed and a closer will automatically close the garage after a certain amount of time. It s code in most areas that the entry door to an attached garage be fire rated and have self closing hinges. The door from the garage directly into the house is the most vulnerable access to your house. Installing an automatic closing device on a garage door or a bedroom door would allow the door to be opened and closed manually but would help to ensure that the door is closed if there is a fire.

You had to exit the garage and then use another door to access the house. The walk through entry door called the service door is the no. If you have an attached garage lock the entry door that leads into the house. Whether your garage leads into your kitchen mudroom or hallway you want that door to be durable enough to handle daily traffic and reflect your personal style.

It should be equipped with a dead bolt and a heavy duty strike plate just like any other exterior door in your house. It is relatively easy for thieves to break into your home by the garage 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.