Ohio fire code

What fire code edition does Ohio use?

Right now, the 2025 Ohio Fire Code is the one in effect. It grows out of the International Fire Code, a model code from the International Code Council that states pick up and adjust for their own purposes. Ohio's version builds on the 2021 edition, though Chapter 12 comes from the 2024 edition, with changes made by the State Fire Marshal.

The official rules appear in sections 1301:7-7-01 to 1301:7-7-80 of the Ohio Administrative Code. The Ohio Legislative Service Commission publishes them on codes.ohio.gov. If an inspection report lists two numbers for one problem, that's normal, because Ohio citations pair the Ohio chapter with the International Fire Code section number.

This code is built to sit alongside the Ohio Building Code, which follows the 2021 International Building Code. State law requires the State Fire Marshal to adopt these rules and review them at least every five years.

Who enforces the rules

Enforcement across Ohio falls to the Division of State Fire Marshal, which sits inside the Ohio Department of Commerce. The work is carried out by the State Fire Marshal and their assistants, along with certified fire safety inspectors employed by local city or township fire departments.

The division's rules also extend to licensing and inspecting hotels, setting flammability standards, and overseeing fireworks. If you need relief from a particular state rule, you can request a variance, meaning formal permission to step away from one specific requirement. Variance requests go through the State Fire Marshal portal and must be in 4 weeks before the event.

Facing an upcoming inspection or a report that flagged problems? Call now to talk with an Ohio fire protection contractor.

Columbus Fire Prevention Bureau

Within Columbus, the Fire Prevention Bureau handles the city's Fire Prevention Code and runs prevention efforts across the city. The City of Columbus Fire Code operates alongside the Ohio Fire Code, so your building must satisfy both sets of rules. Columbus's own rules live in Title 25 of the city code of ordinances, available on Municode.

Work at the bureau is divided among several offices:

• Emergency Planning and Preparedness inspects buildings for fire code compliance and looks at how well equipment is maintained, as laid out in the Ohio Fire Code's Chapter 4.
• Plans Review and Witness Testing goes over fire sprinkler and fire alarm plans for remodels and new builds.
• Public Assembly handles venues where people gather, food trucks, fireworks shows, and special events.
• Institution, Education and Requested Inspections covers daycares, group and foster homes, schools, and any business that must pass an inspection for state accreditation.

You'll find the Columbus Division of Fire at 3639 Parsons Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43207. Planning a renovation or a new fire protection system in Columbus? Call now to discuss the work with a state-certified contractor.

State Fire Marshal certification for companies

Under the Ohio Fire Code's Section 918.2, supported by Ohio Revised Code 3737.65, no company may work on fire protection equipment for profit, whether servicing, testing, repairing, maintaining, or installing it, without certification. These credentials, for companies and individual technicians alike, are issued by the Testing and Registration Bureau within the State Fire Marshal's office.

Qualifying takes proof of liability insurance or a bond worth $50,000 or more. Company licenses must be renewed annually, with each license year running July 1 to July 1.

Certification for individual technicians

For individuals, Ohio offers 10 test categories, among them sprinklers, fire alarms, and portable fire extinguishers. Every category has its own exam. Job experience or training is required only for categories 6, 7, and 9, and you show it through proof of manufacturer training or approval.

Once your application gets approved, you get 90 days to take the exam. The state contracts with PSI Services, whose closed-book exams run 2 hours with a passing score of 70 percent. Exam content draws on national standards:

Renewal for individual certification happens every year, with your expiry date tied to the first letter of your last name. There's no grace period, so if your certification lapses, you have to take the exam again. Ohio allows reciprocity for qualifying fire protection installers, which may save some people from starting over.