Does the wall between the garage and house need to be fire rated?

Author: Joseph Kuphal  |  Last update: Tuesday, July 22, 2025

The drywall between a house and garage should be 1/2 inch, fire-resistant. Garage ceilings with habitable rooms above should have 5/8 inch, fire-resistant drywall installed.

Is a firewall required between garage and house?

Conclusion. In short, the garage needs to be separated from the house in case of fire, but this isn't a fire-rated assembly, nor is it a firewall. The best term for this required separation is a fire-separation wall.

Does a garage wall need to be fire-rated?

Garage walls and ceilings that do not form a separation from the dwelling unit are not required to be rated unless they are an extension of a rated assembly.

What kind of wall goes between garage and house?

People commonly misuse the word firewall to refer to the wall between the garage and the house. The wall between the house and garage is actually called a fire separation wall, not a firewall. A firewall is a fire-resistance-rated wall. It extends from foundation to or through the roof.

Do I need a fire-rated door between my garage and house?

If you have a garage attached to your home, it is very likely that the swinging door between the garage and the house is required by code to be a 20-minute fire door assembly or the equivalent.

The Garage/House Separation Wall Is Not A Firewall? [IRC/CRC]

Does a garage need a fire wall?

Houses, garages or sleepouts within 1m of a defined boundary are required to have a specific designed 30 minute firewall.

What kind of door do I need between house and garage?

If a door is placed between a residential dwelling and the garage, it must be covered by the International Residential Code (IRC). This includes: A solid wood door at least 1 3/8 inches thick. A solid steel door at least 1 3/8 inches thick.

Where is fire-rated drywall required?

Common areas where fire-rated drywall is typically required are multi-family residential buildings, commercial structures, hospitals and healthcare facilities, educational institutions and high-rise buildings.

What type of drywall is used between garage and house?

Use Type X fire-resistant drywall for garages, as well as stairwells and areas near furnaces.

Should wall between garage and house be insulated?

In the same way, if the wall between the house and garage isn't insulated properly, the entire envelope of the home won't be sealed up. This means the rooms adjacent to the garage will experience air loss and drafts -- one of the main reasons you wanted to re-insulate the walls in the first place.

Which walls need to be fire-rated?

Exterior walls generally have a rating based solely on interior occupancy use and structural requirements. However, exterior walls that are 10 feet or less from the property line are required to have a fire resistance rating based on the proximity to adjacent buildings and interior occupancy conditions.

Does Shiplap meet the fire code?

Many people don't realize that shiplap is perfectly safe to install in your fireplace surround if you follow the correct safety codes.

Do all walls need fire blocking?

1. Fireblocking is required at ceiling and floor levels, and between the top story and the roof space (provided by the wall plates in platform framing). 2. Walls furred off the foundation require fireblocking every 10 ft.

Do garage walls need to be fire rated?

All garage walls supporting trusses that are common to both the house and garage must be protected as a fire wall with 1 layer of 5/8” type X sheet rock applied to the garage side of the wall.

Do you need a vapor barrier between garage and house?

The majority seem to agree that insulated, unheated garages, should be allowed to breathe. If the garage is heated, you will need a vapor barrier, otherwise you will get frost and mold.

Can you use regular drywall in a garage?

Drywall is a great building matter that is highly resistant to fire so it is a great addition to garages. Garages often have power tools in them, flammable materials, and also people who work on cars with products that could catch fire. Installing drywall would be a good idea to keep it a safe area.

Does an attached garage need a firewall?

The living space should be separated from the garage by a firewall that extends from the floor to the roof. If the ceiling material is fire-rated, the firewall can terminate at the ceiling. Drywall joints shall be taped or sealed.

Is 1/2 drywall fire rated?

Most Type X drywall has a one-hour fire rating. The fire rating for the 1/2-inch drywall used throughout the rest of the home is 30 minutes. As an added benefit, Type X drywall absorbs sound slightly better and is slightly stronger than conventional 3/8-inch or 1/2-inch drywall.

Can I use plywood instead of drywall in my garage?

The structure of plywood is stronger than drywall, making it suitable for utility areas like laundry rooms and garages. To improve the visual appeal of plywood walls, you can use varnish or sealer, stain or paint, or decorative accents.

What is required for a 2 hour fire rated wall?

To earn this rating, the wall panel or materials the wall is made out of need to be rigorously tested to demonstrate their fire resistance and ability to maintain structural integrity during direct exposure to flames. A 2-hour fire-rated wall must have a minimum thickness of 5 inches.

Where are firewalls required?

While most home fires start in the kitchen, the garage has the requirement for a firewall. Kitchen fires tend to be dramatic, obvious and discovered quickly. On the other hand, garage fires can start without occupants noticing, even while they are asleep. There are many opportunities for fire problems in the garage.

Can I use 1/2 drywall in a garage?

Drywall type – Most garages use 1/2" standard or 5/8" fire-resistant drywall, depending on local building codes. Moisture-resistant drywall helps to prevent mold in areas with high humidity. Finish level – A Level 2 finish is most common in garages.

Are doors between house and garage fire rated?

As long as your door has one of these requirements, it's safe to use: Choose a solid wood door that's at least 1 3/8-inches thick. Solid or honeycomb steel doors also need at least 1 3/8ths-inches of thickness. Look for a 20-minute fire-rated door, at minimum (more on this in a second).

What is the space between garage and house called?

A breezeway is an architectural feature similar to a hallway that allows the passage of a breeze between structures to accommodate high winds, allow aeration, or provide aesthetic design variation.

Does a garage entry door need to be fire rated?

Fire Resistant Door – According to the ICC, the garage entry door must be “equipped with solid wood doors not less than 1-3/8 inches (35 mm) in thickness, solid or honeycomb-core steel doors not less than 1-3/8 inches (35 mm) thick, or 20-minute fire-rated doors.”

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