[Joeywhat]

I have a question about creating an attic access in my attached garage. My current attic access in one of my bedrooms is impossible to get into. It's a tiny access hole, and it's in a closet with several built in shelves in the way. Just a real PITA to get to. Now, my attached garage shares a wall with my attic, and it'd be a lot easier to toss a ladder up to an access hole there to get inside. I understand that certain measures must be in place to ensure fires and fumes from the garage cannot enter the house, is an access panel/door permitted here? If so, it presumably can't be wood?

It looks like the previous owner (who is a dunce...) already had my idea but they just blew a hole there and covered it up with sheet metal. I'm assuming this was how they got to the main circuit panel which is right there when they remodeled the kitchen and added a circuit.

My plan is to remove the 3 sheets that were cobbled together to cover the hole and fab up something with hinges or latches that can be secured in place when not in use and still be up to code. I'm thinking some plate aluminum as I have plenty of access to metal plate and sheet. Is that possible?

 

[Nealtw]

I would check what the local inspectors I have put a few in garages and never had anyone say it was wrong.

he drywall guys just put edge banding on the drywall with about a 1" lip, so a piece of drywall just sits on the lip.

 

[carpdad]

Just a guess. Door is fine between garage and another space as long as the door doesn't burn down quickly. I think the time is 20 minutes. It is metal skin or 1.75" solid wood. you can make such a door. Why not screw 2 sheets of 3/4" ply and line the surface with sheetmetal? Use small nails to hold the sheet down. 2x4 jamb with stop all around, line the jamb with foam strip of weather seals and keep the door tightly closed with a slide bolt?

 

[Joeywhat]

Great, good to know. I think I still have a big enough piece of aluminum diamond plate, might just pop some handles on there and put a couple latches to secure it. Maybe grab some rubber to seal it nicely.

 

[Old Thomas]

Technically it is a fire rated wall so an opening should have an opening protective (fire rated door or access panel). That said, in a private garage in a one family house, do what you are comfortable with.

 

[Joeywhat]

Technically it is a fire rated wall so an opening should have an opening protective (fire rated door or access panel). That said, in a private garage in a one family house, do what you are comfortable with.

Well, I want to make sure it passes inspection when I sell it. What is the code for fire rating? I feel like aluminum would qualify.

 

[ron45]

Well, I want to make sure it passes inspection when I sell it. What is the code for fire rating? I feel like aluminum would qualify.

Then it also becomes an issue with the floor.?

 

[carpdad]

Any access should have that fire rating. Garage ceilings are supposed to be 5/8 drywall. Can't remember now. Search if that is for 20 or 60 minute rating. So access hatch should have same thickness drywall lining the face.
Also useable is cement backers. I think wonderboard (cement/fiber) probably. I don't know about pure cement boards which seem to be full of air pockets and may not pass. Search for their fire rating.
I think metal plate would pass the rating easily. You can hold it tight against the wall with bent nails and should pass.