ARTICLE
This Legislative Update provides NAFED members with information related to new and/or modified fire protection and fire safety regulations/requirements at the state level. The report is not all-encompassing but rather informational and directional in nature. Should you be interested in learning more about a specific initiative listed, please click on the applicable link. OHIO 2025 Ohio Fire Code Update: Proposed Ohio Fire Code update includes information, redline drafts of proposed rules, and important dates regarding the 2025 Ohio Fire Code update process. The Ohio State Fire Marshals Office announced that the "Common Sense Initiative" office has completed its review of the proposed 2025 Ohio Fire Code (OFC), also known as Ohio Administrative Code sections 1301:7-7-01 through 1301:7-7-80, and that the rules have now been filed with the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR). With the filing of the proposed 2025 OFC with JCARR, they enter the final formal phase of the rule revision process. The Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of State Fire Marshal (SFM), will conduct a public hearing on the proposed rules at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at the Division of State Fire Marshal, 8895 East Main Street, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068. The purpose of this hearing is to receive public comment on the rescission of the currently existing 2017 Ohio Fire Code (as amended) and the adoption of the proposed 2025 Ohio Fire Code. Any person may appear at the hearing in person or through counsel and provide oral and/or written comments or testimony regarding the proposed 2025 OFC. In addition, any person may submit written comments or testimony to the SFM prior to or after the hearing. Written testimony or comments must be submitted on or before Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. A person that does submit written comments prior to the hearing may, but is not required to, also appear at the hearing and may give oral testimony or not. Written comments may be submitted on or before October 7, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., to the SFM via hand delivery, mail, facsimile, or e-mail to the following: Division of State Fire Marshal Attn. Code Enforcement Bureau 8895 East Main Street Reynoldsburg, OH 43068 P: 614.728.5460 / Toll Free: 888.276.0303 F: 614-728-5168 OhioFireCode@com.ohio.gov In previous versions of the OFC, the SFM adopted actual text from the International Fire Code (IFC) into the OFC. That language would become an official part of the section of the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) known as the Ohio Fire Code (OAC Chapters 1301:7-7-01 through 1301:7-7-80). However, as part of Governor DeWine’s and then Lt. Governor Husted’s initiative to streamline the OAC and to eliminate duplicative provisions, outdated sections, and unnecessary requirements, the SFM will no longer duplicate model code language (that is IFC text) into the OFC. Instead, the SFM will adopt IFC provisions by reference and then indicate any Ohio-specific changes, additions, or deletions (or “Ohioizations” or “Ohio-ized language”) that will be made to the IFC language. Learn More » TEXAS TX SB1: Relating to Campground and Youth Camp Safety. This bill, known as the Heaven's 27 Camp Safety Act, introduces comprehensive new safety regulations for youth camps and campgrounds in Texas. The legislation requires youth camp operators to develop detailed emergency plans that address various potential scenarios such as lost campers, fires, severe injuries, aquatic emergencies, epidemics, and unauthorized individuals on camp premises. The bill mandates that camps install emergency warning systems, maintain weather alert radios, and provide annual safety training for staff. Bill status effective immediately 9-5-2025. Fire safety requirements are noted on Page #3 (lines 22-26), Page #7 (lines 22-26), Page #10 (lines 12-20) and Page #11 (line 26). Page #11, specifically calls out Section 762.003 – Fire Protection Standards. The fire protection standard referenced is, NFPA 1194, Standard for Recreational Vehicle Parks and Campgrounds, 2026 Edition [Chapter 6 Fire Safety]. Chapter 6 calls for a minimum extinguisher rating of 2-A:20-B:C, selected, installed, serviced and maintained per the requirements of NFPA 10. Learn More »
This Legislative Update provides NAFED members with information related to new and/or modified fire protection and fire safety regulations/requirements at the state level. The report is not all-encompassing but rather informational and directional in nature. Should you be interested in learning more about a specific initiative listed, please click on the applicable link.
OHIO
2025 Ohio Fire Code Update: Proposed Ohio Fire Code update includes information, redline drafts of proposed rules, and important dates regarding the 2025 Ohio Fire Code update process. The Ohio State Fire Marshals Office announced that the "Common Sense Initiative" office has completed its review of the proposed 2025 Ohio Fire Code (OFC), also known as Ohio Administrative Code sections 1301:7-7-01 through 1301:7-7-80, and that the rules have now been filed with the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR). With the filing of the proposed 2025 OFC with JCARR, they enter the final formal phase of the rule revision process. The Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of State Fire Marshal (SFM), will conduct a public hearing on the proposed rules at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at the Division of State Fire Marshal, 8895 East Main Street, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068. The purpose of this hearing is to receive public comment on the rescission of the currently existing 2017 Ohio Fire Code (as amended) and the adoption of the proposed 2025 Ohio Fire Code. Any person may appear at the hearing in person or through counsel and provide oral and/or written comments or testimony regarding the proposed 2025 OFC. In addition, any person may submit written comments or testimony to the SFM prior to or after the hearing. Written testimony or comments must be submitted on or before Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. A person that does submit written comments prior to the hearing may, but is not required to, also appear at the hearing and may give oral testimony or not. Written comments may be submitted on or before October 7, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., to the SFM via hand delivery, mail, facsimile, or e-mail to the following: Division of State Fire Marshal Attn. Code Enforcement Bureau 8895 East Main Street Reynoldsburg, OH 43068 P: 614.728.5460 / Toll Free: 888.276.0303 F: 614-728-5168 OhioFireCode@com.ohio.gov In previous versions of the OFC, the SFM adopted actual text from the International Fire Code (IFC) into the OFC. That language would become an official part of the section of the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) known as the Ohio Fire Code (OAC Chapters 1301:7-7-01 through 1301:7-7-80). However, as part of Governor DeWine’s and then Lt. Governor Husted’s initiative to streamline the OAC and to eliminate duplicative provisions, outdated sections, and unnecessary requirements, the SFM will no longer duplicate model code language (that is IFC text) into the OFC. Instead, the SFM will adopt IFC provisions by reference and then indicate any Ohio-specific changes, additions, or deletions (or “Ohioizations” or “Ohio-ized language”) that will be made to the IFC language.
Learn More »
TEXAS
TX SB1: Relating to Campground and Youth Camp Safety. This bill, known as the Heaven's 27 Camp Safety Act, introduces comprehensive new safety regulations for youth camps and campgrounds in Texas. The legislation requires youth camp operators to develop detailed emergency plans that address various potential scenarios such as lost campers, fires, severe injuries, aquatic emergencies, epidemics, and unauthorized individuals on camp premises. The bill mandates that camps install emergency warning systems, maintain weather alert radios, and provide annual safety training for staff. Bill status effective immediately 9-5-2025. Fire safety requirements are noted on Page #3 (lines 22-26), Page #7 (lines 22-26), Page #10 (lines 12-20) and Page #11 (line 26). Page #11, specifically calls out Section 762.003 – Fire Protection Standards. The fire protection standard referenced is, NFPA 1194, Standard for Recreational Vehicle Parks and Campgrounds, 2026 Edition [Chapter 6 Fire Safety]. Chapter 6 calls for a minimum extinguisher rating of 2-A:20-B:C, selected, installed, serviced and maintained per the requirements of NFPA 10.