IBC 1609.2.2 - Glazed Garage Door Impact Protection in Windborne Debris Regions

When a windborne debris region triggers impact protection requirements for a commercial building's openings, garage doors are not exempt. IBC 1609.2.2 addresses garage doors directly, specifying the standard they must meet.

What this section says

IBC 2024 Section 1609.2.2 states:

"Garage door glazed opening protection for windborne debris shall meet the requirements of an approved impact-resisting standard or ANSI/DASMA 115."

This is the garage-door-specific provision within the broader windborne debris framework established by IBC 1609.1.2. The two sections work together: 1609.1.2 identifies the trigger conditions, and 1609.2.2 names the specific standard for garage door glazed panels.

ANSI/DASMA 115 is "Standard Method for Testing Sectional Garage Doors: Determination of Structural Performance Under Missile Impact and Cyclic Wind Pressure." It defines two missile tests:

• A small missile test uses a 2-gram steel ball bearing fired at the glazed surface at specified velocity.
• A large missile test uses a 9-pound 2x4 lumber piece launched at specified velocity toward the door panel.

After missile impact, the door is subjected to cyclic wind pressure loads simulating a storm event. The door must not structurally fail, perforate, or allow water intrusion beyond test limits.

The reference to "an approved impact-resisting standard" in the code text allows an alternative to DASMA 115 if the authority having jurisdiction approves it. However, DASMA 115 is the purpose-built standard for this application and the expected compliance path.

When it applies

IBC 1609.2.2 applies to commercial buildings with glazed garage door panels located in windborne debris regions as defined by IBC 1609.1.2. The geographic trigger is generally Vult greater than 130 mph for the applicable risk category, which identifies coastal and other high-wind areas.

Colorado, with Denver's design Vult of 115 mph, is generally outside windborne debris region thresholds. This section is most relevant to:

• Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast commercial construction
• Florida, Texas, and other coastal states with high design wind speeds
• Contractors and specifiers working across multiple states

For Front Range commercial projects, knowing this section exists allows proper specification for doors destined for other markets.

What this means for you

The test covers impact AND wind cycling. DASMA 115 is not just an impact test. After absorbing missile strikes, the door must survive repeated cyclic wind loading. A door that cracks on impact and then fails under wind load does not pass.

The requirement is for glazed panels only. Solid steel or insulated doors without glass panels are not governed by 1609.2.2. If a commercial door has windows or glass inserts, those panels need to meet the impact standard in windborne debris regions.

Colorado projects generally do not need DASMA 115. Unless a Colorado commercial project has unusual wind exposure or has customers in high-wind regions, DASMA 115 impact rating is not required by IBC 1609.2.2 in this state.

Multi-state distribution may require it. A Front Range industrial facility that ships to or replaces doors at coastal locations should be aware that those sites require DASMA 115 compliance.

Full text and source

Read IBC 2024 Section 1609.2.2 at https://up.codes/s/garage-doors. ANSI/DASMA 115 is available from DASMA at dasma.com.

IBC 1609.2.2 applies to commercial buildings in windborne debris regions. It governs glazed panels in garage doors, not solid doors. Colorado buildings at standard design wind speeds are generally outside the geographic trigger.

Want to put numbers to this? Use the interactive wind load psf / mph converter below, or open the full wind load psf / mph converter with examples and notes.