Division of Industrial Compliance Recognizes Building Safety Month, Reinforces Commitment to Public Well-Being

COLUMBUS, Ohio - In recognition of the International Code Council's Building Safety Month, the Ohio Department of Commerce's Division of Industrial Compliance is highlighting how its work helps to ensure that Ohio's commercial, public, and industrial buildings are safe and code-compliant for Ohioans who work at and visit these facilities every day.

The Division is using Building Safety Month to emphasize the collaborative effort behind building safety, including the role that inspectors, engineers, contractors and code officials play in supporting safe communities - from designing a building to construction to occupancy.

In 2025, the Division recorded strong activity and impact, conducting more than 93,000 inspections across all of its bureaus while seeing more than 112,000 active registrations and licenses.

"Building safety is a shared responsibility, and we're proud to partner with communities and industry professionals to support safe, reliable structures across Ohio," said Division Superintendent Robb Coventry. "Whether we're reviewing plans, inspecting equipment, or updating codes, our goal is always the same - to help ensure Ohio buildings are safe for all."

Inspections: The Division conducts thousands of building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, boiler, elevator, structural, and bedding inspections each year, working alongside design and construction professionals to help ensure systems meet Ohio's safety codes.

Plan Review: Before construction begins, the Division reviews and approves commercial and public building plans to help ensure projects start with safety and compliance in mind. Plans examiners make sure the plans meet the codes approved by the Ohio Board of Building Standards. During FY 2025, this process resulted in the issuance of more than 1,000 final building Certificates of Occupancy.

Regulation and Compliance: The Division works closely with building professionals, local code officials, and certified departments to help ensure compliance with state and national codes. If questions or concerns arise, the Board of Building Appeals provides an administrative process for reviewing and resolving code-related appeals.

Specialized Safety Checks: The Division also inspects boilers (more than 24,000 in FY 2025) and elevators (more than 48,000) to prevent hazards and ensure the safety of the public who use that equipment daily.

Licensing & Certification: The Division and the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board ensures that the more than 14,000 licensed professionals in electrical, HVAC, plumbing, hydronics, and refrigeration meet the state's high safety and quality standards.

Code Updates & Collaboration: The Division works with advisory boards, industry professionals, and local jurisdictions to keep Ohio's building codes current with safety innovations and best practices.

For additional information on the Division of Industrial Compliance, visit com.ohio.gov/DIC.

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About the Division of Industrial Compliance
The Division of Industrial Compliance is part of the Ohio Department of Commerce. The department is Ohio's chief regulatory agency, focused on promoting prosperity and protecting what matters most to Ohioans. We ensure businesses follow the laws that help them create jobs and keep Ohioans safe. To learn more about what we do, visit our website at com.ohio.gov.