Fire rated door in the boiler room for one family.

It was somehow imprinted not only in my mind ( we also own 3 family) that boiler room requires a fire-rated door.
We have one-family, sitting on the hill. Part of the basement is above ground with windows.

We built a nice room around boiler using cinder blocks a couple of years ago to separate it from the future finished part of the basement.

It is not urgent but I kind of was straggling with a concept of the large fire-rated metal door (like we have in 3 family) for our one family.
1. We put cinder blocks right under a new main beam, so the door should be a 6 inches lower then standard.
2. Boiler room has a small window. We replaced rotten old with pretty nice new one and it lets a light from this side. I’d rather not loose this tiny additional light source – other windows are pretty large, but on the opposite wall ( pretty far).

I was thinking it would be a bright idea 🙂 to use some storm door with some glass on a top, but the codes…
And we try to do strictly codes in our renovation/restoration projects even if some of the jobs do not require permits, like building a couple of new cinder block walls in the basement.

To my surprise I recently learned that fire rated door requirement do not apply to one family dwellings in nyc. So… may be half glass storm door is a reality?

Writing this to bounce this idea. What do you think?

opoddubnaya.bootsoft

in Dept. of Buildings (DOB) 1 weeks ago

5

Please log in, in order to post replies!

5 replies

Newest Oldest

chrispetriplumbing | 1 weeks ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4999 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4953 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "203345"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(18) "chrispetriplumbing"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(63) "$wp$2y$10$X1sdJ4dl4OXVSPGyLSQqNeNPbT.AVNjJ/bBb6ywBNstdwjMtLd5iK"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(22) "chrispetriplumbing-com"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "chris@petriplumbing.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2018-10-27 00:13:52"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(18) "chrispetriplumbing"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(203345)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

If you build a room, you need to build it to code.

cate | 1 weeks ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4997 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5000 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "176696"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(4) "cate"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(63) "$wp$2y$10$4JNbGAK5cKoEp6kzsYVSBO7oMZphxvnQPCDInpVARCm3B1Dj6U75i"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(4) "cate"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "cate@brownstoner.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:24:59"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "Cate Corcoran"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(176696)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["administrator"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["editor"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(13) "administrator"
    [1]=>
    string(6) "editor"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(191) {
    ["switch_themes"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_themes"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["activate_plugins"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_plugins"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_users"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_files"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["manage_options"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["moderate_comments"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["manage_categories"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["manage_links"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["upload_files"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["import"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["unfiltered_html"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_posts"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_others_posts"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_published_posts"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["publish_posts"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_pages"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_10"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_9"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_8"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_7"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_6"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_5"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_4"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_3"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_2"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_1"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_others_pages"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_published_pages"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["publish_pages"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_pages"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_others_pages"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_published_pages"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_posts"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_others_posts"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_published_posts"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_private_posts"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_private_posts"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["read_private_posts"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_private_pages"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_private_pages"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["read_private_pages"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_users"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["create_users"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["unfiltered_upload"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_dashboard"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["update_plugins"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_plugins"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["install_plugins"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["update_themes"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["install_themes"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["update_core"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["list_users"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["remove_users"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["promote_users"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_theme_options"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_themes"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["export"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["NextGEN Gallery overview"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["NextGEN Use TinyMCE"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["NextGEN Upload images"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["NextGEN Manage gallery"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["NextGEN Manage tags"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["NextGEN Manage others gallery"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["NextGEN Edit album"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["NextGEN Change style"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["NextGEN Change options"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["email_users_notify"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["email_single_user"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["email_multiple_users"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["email_user_groups"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["NextGEN Attach Interface"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["copy_posts"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["ure_edit_roles"]=>
    bool(false)
    ["ure_create_roles"]=>
    bool(false)
    ["ure_delete_roles"]=>
    bool(false)
    ["ure_create_capabilities"]=>
    bool(false)
    ["ure_delete_capabilities"]=>
    bool(false)
    ["ure_manage_options"]=>
    bool(false)
    ["ure_reset_roles"]=>
    bool(false)
    ["edit_ads_txt"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["manage_feed_settings"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_feed_source"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["read_feed_source"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_feed_source"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_feed_sources"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_others_feed_sources"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["publish_feed_sources"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["read_private_feed_sources"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_feed_sources"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_private_feed_sources"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_published_feed_sources"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_others_feed_sources"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_private_feed_sources"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_published_feed_sources"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["manage_feed_source_terms"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_feed_source_terms"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_feed_source_terms"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["assign_feed_source_terms"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_feed_item"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["read_feed_item"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_feed_item"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_feed_items"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_others_feed_items"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["publish_feed_items"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["read_private_feed_items"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_feed_items"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_private_feed_items"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_published_feed_items"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_others_feed_items"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_private_feed_items"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_published_feed_items"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["manage_feed_item_terms"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_feed_item_terms"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_feed_item_terms"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["assign_feed_item_terms"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_feed_blacklist"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["read_feed_blacklist"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_feed_blacklist"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_feed_blacklists"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_others_feed_blacklists"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["publish_feed_blacklists"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["read_private_feed_blacklists"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_feed_blacklists"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_private_feed_blacklists"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_published_feed_blacklists"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_others_feed_blacklists"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_private_feed_blacklists"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_published_feed_blacklists"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["manage_feed_blacklist_terms"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_feed_blacklist_terms"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_feed_blacklist_terms"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["assign_feed_blacklist_terms"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_feed_template"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["read_feed_template"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_feed_template"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_feed_templates"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_others_feed_templates"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["publish_feed_templates"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["read_private_feed_templates"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_feed_templates"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_private_feed_templates"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_published_feed_templates"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_others_feed_templates"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_private_feed_templates"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_published_feed_templates"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["manage_feed_template_terms"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_feed_template_terms"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_feed_template_terms"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["assign_feed_template_terms"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_shortcoder"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["read_shortcoder"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_shortcoder"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_shortcoders"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_others_shortcoders"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["publish_shortcoders"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_shortcoders"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_published_shortcoders"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_others_shortcoders"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_published_shortcoders"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["aioseo_manage_seo"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["aioseo_page_analysis"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["aioseo_page_general_settings"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["aioseo_page_advanced_settings"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["aioseo_page_schema_settings"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["aioseo_page_social_settings"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["rank_math_edit_htaccess"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["rank_math_titles"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["rank_math_general"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["rank_math_sitemap"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["rank_math_404_monitor"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["rank_math_link_builder"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["rank_math_redirections"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["rank_math_role_manager"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["rank_math_search_console"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["rank_math_site_analysis"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["rank_math_onpage_analysis"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["rank_math_onpage_general"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["rank_math_onpage_advanced"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["rank_math_onpage_snippet"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["rank_math_onpage_social"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["rank_math_admin_bar"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["rank_math_analytics"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["rank_math_content_ai"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["srm_manage_redirects"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["SPF Manage Analytics"]=>
    bool(false)
    ["administrator"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["editor"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

One thing to be sure of is that the boiler gets enough fresh air that it needs to operate.

tartozmoustafa | 1 weeks ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5001 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5002 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "229045"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(14) "tartozmoustafa"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(63) "$wp$2y$10$H0DoqG7zTAr9qNiO4AWh3.fWaUHEZ9jPaflth/C1ro.a1kefWbDZO"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(14) "tartozmoustafa"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(17) "tartoze@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2025-11-04 17:56:48"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(15) "tartoz moustafa"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(229045)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Yeah, you’re right, one-family homes in NYC aren’t required to have fire-rated doors for boiler rooms. As long as it’s safely enclosed and built with non-combustible materials like those cinder blocks, you’re fine. A half-glass storm door sounds totally reasonable, adds light and still keeps things separated.

Brownstone Home Inspection | 1 weeks ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5003 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5004 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "191038"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(26) "Brownstone Home Inspection"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(63) "$wp$2y$10$2Dh.tVTWca7o8G2o2QDdSeR1sOPSrs2w3wRCKLoxX3NZi3rnCHU0S"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(26) "brownstone-home-inspection"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(29) "stevehomeinspection@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2021-01-20 15:12:39"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(26) "brownstone home inspection"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(191038)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["participant"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [1]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["participant"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

does not. in a one. these things sit in the middle of open cellars all over the city.

jimhillra | 1 weeks ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4998 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5005 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "180609"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "jimhillra"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(63) "$wp$2y$10$QRWZTbPjDPrlhsfWuWTHKeCqy5fBaiZJQCbDzaRLhdOw/y0.5HfD6"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "jimhillra"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(25) "info@urban-pioneering.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:06:33"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(21) "Jim Hill, RA, LEED AP"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(180609)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

You’re right in that the boiler in a one or two family does not need to be enclosed. However, we’ve had this come up during a construction inspection once where the boiler was enclosed, and we did not want to put in a metal door. The inspector said that if the boiler is enclosed, it needs to have a fire rated door. We didn’t push to see if we could just omit the door entirely, but I can say that because we had a door, it needed to be rated. The situation hasn’t come up since then, so I can’t say if this is consistently applied, or was a particular inspector’s issue.