Attached Garages

This blog is all about the garage and common issues we find during home inspections in regards to safety and fire concerns. Garages are a common area for fires due to the likeliness of flammable materials, such as motor oils, exhaust fumes, paint thinners, varnish, camping fuels and other flammable liquids that are commonly stored in garages. Here is some valuable tips and advice that every home owner should know!

The following tips can help prevent garage fires and their spread:

• If the garage allows access to the attic, make sure a hatch covers this access.
• The walls and ceiling should be fire-rated. Unfortunately, it will be difficult for untrained homeowners to tell if their walls are Type X fire-rated gypsum. 
• The floor should be clear of clutter. Loose papers, matches, oily rags, and other potentially flammable items are extremely dangerous if they are strewn about the garage floor.
• Use light bulbs with the proper wattage, and do not overload electrical outlets.
• Tape down all cords and wires so they are not twisted or accidentally yanked.

If there is a door that connects the garage to the living area, consider the following:

• Do not install a pet door in the door! Flames can more easily spread into the living area through a pet door, especially if it’s made of plastic.
• Does the door have a window? If it does, it should be fire-rated.
• The door should be self-closing. While it may be inconvenient, especially while carrying groceries into the house from the car, doors should be self-closing. You never know when a fire will happen, and it would be unfortunate to accidentally leave the door open while a fire is starting in the garage.
• Check the joints and open spaces around the door. Are they tightly sealed? Any openings at all can allow dangerous fumes, such as carbon monoxide or gasoline vapor, to enter the living area. 

Concerning items placed on the floor, you should check for the following:

• Store your flammable liquids in clearly labeled, self-closing containers, and only in small amounts. Keep them away from heaters, appliances, pilot lights and other sources of heat or flame.
• Never store propane tanks indoors. If they catch fire, they can explode. Propane tanks are sturdy enough to be stored outdoors.

There are plenty of things that you can do to prevent garage fires from spreading to the rest of the house, or to keep them from starting in the first place. If you have any concerns about your garage, why not have it inspected by a qualified home inspector or contractor! If you have any concerns feel free to contact us anytime, we’d be glad to help.

Be sure that the walls and ceilings are sealed!