State Fire Marshal trims nearly 300K words from fire code for clarity, compliance
Ohio’s fire safety rules just got leaner, clearer, and easier to follow. The newly updated 2025 Ohio Fire Code (OFC), which has taken effect, includes key revisions from the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal.
The updates removed outdated and redundant language, making the code more streamlined and user-friendly. The changes reflect Ohio’s ongoing commitment to protecting lives and property while also keeping pace with new technologies and evolving safety needs.
By incorporating the 2021 International Fire Code (IFC), the Division was able to trim the number of words included in the fire-related portions of the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) and OFC by 29%, resulting in 8,772 fewer regulatory restrictions that are either out of date, duplicative or unnecessary by today's standards of safety.
“The 2025 Ohio Fire Code will be streamlined and will look different from what fire service members are used to, but these changes are intentional and designed to make the code easier to navigate and apply,” said State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon. “By removing duplicative and outdated language, we’re not only reducing the size of the codebook, we’re improving its usability. Hard copy versions will be more compact, and the online format will be more interactive and user-friendly, helping both fire service professionals and the public better understand and comply with fire safety standards.”
The purpose of the OFC is to safeguard Ohio citizens and those who visit the state, as well as property, from fire and explosion risks. The OFC constitutes the minimum standards in Ohio for all aspects of fire safety at all structures, buildings, premises, vehicles, or other locations within the territorial jurisdiction of the State of Ohio. The 2025 OFC includes significant updates to enhance overall fire safety and align with the latest fire safety standards.
Examples of the outdated and duplicative regulations that were addressed include removing redundant OFC provisions about administrative process and hearings that are already included in the Ohio Revised Code, and also clarifying ADA accessibility language to remove outdated and conflicting terminology.
In addition to regulatory reductions, several additions were made as well to the 2025 OFC, including:
• Energy Storage Systems: A new chapter has been added to address the safe installation and operation of energy storage systems, reflecting advancements in renewable energy technologies.
• Mobile Food Preparation Vehicles: Updated terminology and safety provisions for mobile food operations ensure compliance with modern standards.
• Higher Education Laboratories: A new chapter introduces specific safety requirements for laboratories in colleges and universities.
• Additional updates include provisions for outdoor pallet storage, on-demand mobile fueling, and enhanced safety measures for fireworks and solar energy systems.
Additional information, including a full list of the significant updates, is available at https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/com.ohio.gov/SFM/Code/2025_OFC….
“When it comes to the fire code, the top priority is always safety,” Reardon said. “But safety isn’t static. As times change and new technologies emerge, our fire safety standards must evolve with them. The 2025 Ohio Fire Code reflects that evolution.”
The 2025 OFC will soon be available on an Ohio-specific page on the International Code Council’s website.