ANSI/DASMA 203 - Standard for Non-Fire-Rated Rolling Doors

Rolling steel doors coil up above the opening rather than swinging out or tracking overhead on a sectional system. They are common in commercial garages, warehouses, and self-storage facilities. ANSI/DASMA 203 sets the baseline product standard for rolling doors that are not required to be fire-rated.

What this standard says

ANSI/DASMA 203-2004 covers the design and construction of non-fire-rated rolling doors. The standard addresses:

"Minimum requirements for the construction, materials, and performance of non-fire rated rolling doors, including curtain slat profiles, guide and barrel specifications, coil housing dimensions, and structural performance under design loads."

Key elements of the standard include:

Curtain construction. Rolling door curtains are made of interlocking steel slats. ANSI/DASMA 203 sets minimum steel gauge requirements for slats by opening width. Wider doors require heavier-gauge slats.

Guide design. The guides (the vertical tracks on each side) must retain the curtain under design wind loads and keep the door from racking out of the opening.

Barrel and coil housing. The standard sets minimum barrel diameter requirements relative to door weight and height. A correctly sized barrel distributes coil stress evenly and extends service life.

Structural performance. Doors must meet design wind-load requirements for their application. ANSI/DASMA 203 references the same design pressure approach used for sectional doors.

Operation. The standard covers both manual and motorized operation requirements.

When it applies

Specifying a commercial rolling door. A project specification that calls out ANSI/DASMA 203 compliance ensures the door meets the industry baseline for materials and construction. This is relevant for commercial garages, loading docks, and storage facilities in the Denver metro area.

Replacing a rolling door. When a rolling door needs replacement, the new door should meet current ANSI/DASMA 203 requirements. Older installations may have used lighter-gauge curtains that do not meet current minimums.

Distinguishing from fire-rated rolling doors. Fire-rated rolling doors are governed by a separate standard and must carry a UL listing for their fire rating. ANSI/DASMA 203 is only for doors not required to be fire-rated. For example, a loading dock door in a non-fire-separation wall uses ANSI/DASMA 203. A door in a fire wall between occupancies needs a fire-rated door with a UL label.

Wind load design. Commercial rolling doors in Denver must be designed for the Vult of 115 mph at Exposure C. ANSI/DASMA 203 structural requirements set the framework for verifying that the door's curtain gauge and guide system can resist that pressure.

What this means for you

Ask for the ANSI/DASMA 203 compliance documentation when replacing a commercial rolling door. The spec sheet should state the door's curtain gauge, slat profile, and design pressure rating.

Verify fire-rating status. If your building has a fire wall or fire separation that requires a rated opening protective, ANSI/DASMA 203 alone is not sufficient. You need a fire-rated rolling door listed under a separate standard.

Gauge matters for Denver's wind. A light-gauge door on an exposed commercial building may not meet design pressure requirements even if it meets ANSI/DASMA 203 minimums for that opening width. Have your contractor confirm the wind-pressure rating for your specific door size and exposure.

G Brothers installs commercial rolling steel doors for commercial garages and warehouses in the Denver metro area and can provide ANSI/DASMA 203 documentation for any door we supply.

Full text and source

ANSI/DASMA 203-2004 is available at https://www.dasma.com/wp-content/uploads/pubs/Standards/DASMA-203-Web.pdf.

ANSI/DASMA 203 covers non-fire-rated rolling doors only. Rolling doors required to provide a fire rating must meet UL listing requirements under a separate standard. For self-storage rolling sheet doors, see ANSI/DASMA 207.