DASMA TDS 157 - Garage Doors and Foam Plastic Insulation

Foam plastic insulation burns. The building code generally requires a thermal barrier such as 1/2-inch drywall between foam and the occupied space to slow ignition. Garage door sections cannot use drywall as a barrier, so the code created a special test path for doors with bonded foam cores. DASMA TDS 157 explains that exception and what it means for selecting an insulated door.

What this data sheet says

TDS 157 describes how IBC Section 2603 regulates foam plastic in building components and how garage doors qualify for the exception in IBC 2603.4.1.9.

"Foam plastic used in garage door sections is exempt from the thermal barrier requirement of IBC 2603.4 provided the door has been tested per ANSI/DASMA 107."

Key points from TDS 157:

• IBC 2603.4 generally requires a thermal barrier (minimum 1/2-inch gypsum board) to be installed between foam plastic and the interior of a building. This prevents rapid flame spread if the foam is exposed to fire.
• IBC 2603.4.1.9 provides an exception for garage door sections that have been tested in accordance with ANSI/DASMA 107, the Room Fire Test Standard for Garage Doors Using Foam Plastic Insulation.
• ANSI/DASMA 107 tests the door section in a room-corner fire scenario to verify that the foam does not accelerate fire spread beyond acceptable limits without an additional thermal barrier.
• Passing doors are listed by the manufacturer and can be installed with exposed foam-core panels in garages without adding a separate thermal barrier between the door sections.
• The IRC (residential code) references a similar provision. In practice, residential insulated garage doors sold by reputable manufacturers are designed to meet this requirement.

When it applies

TDS 157 matters whenever an insulated garage door is installed in a jurisdiction using the IBC or IRC:

• New commercial construction where a plan reviewer or inspector asks for documentation of the foam insulation compliance path.
• Residential fire-separation audits. When a home inspector or AHJ reviews the garage-to-dwelling fire separation under IRC R302.6, they may also review the door section materials.
• Specifying insulated doors for a building permit. Including a note that the door is tested per ANSI/DASMA 107 can prevent a plan review comment asking for a thermal barrier detail.

In Denver, most standard insulated residential garage doors from major manufacturers meet this requirement, but the documentation should be available from the manufacturer on request.

What this means for you

Ask your door supplier for the ANSI/DASMA 107 test listing before specifying an insulated door for a project that will have a plan review. This is typically in the product literature or available from the manufacturer's technical team.

Do not add foam board insulation to a non-insulated door interior without verifying compliance. Aftermarket foam board added to a door that was not tested with that foam may not qualify for the IBC 2603.4.1.9 exception.

The foam exception covers the door, not the garage walls. If you are also insulating the garage walls with foam board, that foam still requires a thermal barrier per IBC 2603.4 unless a separate exception applies.

G Brothers installs insulated garage doors from manufacturers whose products meet ANSI/DASMA 107. We can provide documentation when required for a permit.

Full text and source

Download DASMA TDS 157 from the official TDS index at https://www.dasma.com/technical-data-sheets/.

This entry focuses on the IBC/IRC foam plastic provisions as they apply to sectional garage door sections. Fire-rated garage doors (labeled for fire-resistance ratings) are a separate product category with different compliance paths.