CodeMandatory
Garage opening protection: doors from garage may be solid-wood 1-3/8" or 20-minute fire-rated
Virginia USBC 2021 Amendment 8 (IRC R302.5.1)Description
Openings from a private garage directly into a room used for sleeping are prohibited. Other openings between the garage and residence shall be equipped with solid wood doors not less than 1-3/8 inches thick, solid or honeycomb-core steel doors not less than 1-3/8 inches thick, or 20-minute fire-rated doors.
Why this exists
Virginia's amendment provides three explicit acceptable door specifications, clearer than the IRC's text. Bedrooms must not connect directly to the garage because of CO + fire risk.
Measurements
| Property | Operator | Value | Unit | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
doorThickness | min | 1.375 | in | Solid wood / steel door thickness from garage to dwelling |
fireRating | min | 20 | min | Fire-rated door rating alternative |
Categories
Life safety
Applies to
- Room types: garage
- Jurisdiction: Virginia
Source
Virginia DHCDauthoritative
2021 Virginia Construction Code (Part I of USBC) (2021)
Section: Amendment 8 (IRC R302.5.1)
Published 2024-01-18 · last verified 2026-05-10
Solver enforcement
Browsable only — the solver does not currently enforce this directive (no spec-level data to check against). This entry exists so the architect personas can cite it in conversation and the user can read what the rule says.
Related directives
- Garage / dwelling fire separation · IRC R302.6
- Habitable space minimum ceiling height · IRC R305.1
- Egress window net opening dimensions · IRC R310.2
- Stair riser, tread, and headroom · IRC R311.7
- Smoke alarms required throughout dwelling · IRC R314
Last reviewed 2026-05-10.