Final answer:
Garage doors typically have a minimum fire rating of 20-minutes, which is designed to provide a brief period of protection against fire spread, allowing occupants to evacuate. The correct answer to the student's question is option b. 20-minutes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the fire rating of garage doors is crucial for ensuring residential or commercial property safety. In the construction industry, the fire rating of a door signifies the duration that the door can withstand exposure to fire before it fails to its integrity. These ratings are determined by standardized fire tests and are essential for providing time to evacuate in the event of a fire.
The typical fire ratings for garage doors range from 20-minute to 90-minute protection. Most residential garage doors will have a minimum fire rating of 20 minutes. For example, an entry door between the garage and the living space is expected to have a 20-minute fire resistance to slow the spread of flames and smoke between these areas.
However, code requirements may vary depending on local building regulations and the specific application of the door (such as between a house and an attached garage).
In response to the student's multiple-choice question regarding the fire rating of garage doors, the correct option from the given choices would be b. 20-minutes. This is the standard minimum fire rating for many residential attached garage doors, although commercial and industrial settings may require higher-rated doors.