Does my garage need a fire-rated door between the garage and the house?

Yes. If your garage is attached to your house, the Ontario Building Code requires that the door between the garage and the living space be a fire-rated door assembly with a minimum 20-minute fire-resistance rating and a self-closing device. This applies to every attached garage in Ottawa, whether it was part of the original construction or added later through a renovation.

A fire-rated garage-to-house door is specifically designed to slow the spread of fire and toxic gases from the garage into your home. Garages contain flammable materials — gasoline, paints, solvents, propane tanks, oil-soaked rags — and a vehicle fire can reach extreme temperatures very quickly. That 20-minute rating gives occupants critical extra time to detect the fire and evacuate.

The door itself must be solid-core — either solid wood or steel. Hollow-core interior doors that you would use between bedrooms absolutely do not qualify. A 20-minute fire-rated steel door is the most common and cost-effective choice, running about $250 to $500 for the door slab and frame at Ottawa building supply stores. A fire-rated solid wood door costs slightly more, typically $350 to $600. Installation by a qualified carpenter or door installer adds $200 to $400 for labour.

The self-closing device is a non-negotiable part of the assembly. The door must swing closed on its own every time someone walks through it. The most common solution is a hydraulic door closer mounted at the top, similar to what you see on commercial doors. These cost $30 to $80 and take about 15 minutes to install. Spring hinges are another option, though door closers provide smoother operation and are easier to adjust. The self-closer ensures the door is never accidentally left open, which would completely defeat the purpose of the fire separation.

A few additional code requirements for this door that often get missed. The door must swing into the house, not into the garage — this prevents a fire from blowing the door open. The threshold and weather stripping must be tight enough to resist smoke and gas migration. And the door cannot have a mail slot, pet door, or any other opening that would compromise the fire rating.

If you are renovating and your current garage-to-house door is a standard hollow-core door with no self-closer, replacing it is a relatively straightforward upgrade. A complete fire-rated door replacement including the door, frame, hardware, self-closer, and installation typically costs $500 to $900 in Ottawa. This is one of the most cost-effective fire safety investments you can make for your home.

During any garage renovation that requires a building permit, the Ottawa building inspector will check this door. Even if your project does not trigger a permit, upgrading to a proper fire-rated door is worth doing for your family's safety. It is a small expense relative to the protection it provides.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The Ottawa Construction Network connects Ottawa homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Luxe Painting and Renovations
• RenoMotion Inc.
• The Granite shop
• JMY Renovations
• Garage doors unlimited