In a significant move to enhance school safety, Ohio has enacted the Childhood Safety Act (Senate Bill 112), which mandates annual inspections of specific door assemblies in all school buildings. This legislation aims to ensure that protective door assemblies meet established safety standards, thereby enhancing the protection of students and staff.

          Understanding the New Requirements:

The law specifies that the following types of doors fall under the category of protective door assemblies:

• Doors equipped with panic hardware or fire exit hardware 

• Door assemblies in exit enclosures, such as stairwells 

• Electrically controlled egress doors 

• Doors with special locking arrangements, including delayed egress, sensor release egress doors, and elevator lobby doors

Qualified inspectors are tasked with evaluating each protective door assembly to ensure proper operation and full closure. If a door assembly is found non-compliant, the school governing authority must take necessary steps to achieve compliance and have the assembly re-inspected. Inspection reports must be maintained by the school governing authority and made available for review.

• If a protective door assembly is non-compliant, schools have 18 months to address the issue. 

• If the non-compliance poses a serious fire or life safety hazard, the issue must be resolved within 180 days.

• Failure to comply within these timeframes, without actively taking steps toward compliance, will result in a citation from the authority having jurisdiction. The citation must be posted on the school's website until the issue is resolved.

The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission estimates that updating a protective door assembly to meet NFPA 101 standards could cost between $400 and $1,000 per assembly, depending on the technology used. In some cases, replacing a door could cost up to $5,000. The state may provide funding assistance to help schools cover these expenses.

The implementation of the Childhood Safety Act underscores Ohio's commitment to providing a secure educational environment. By enforcing regular inspections and adherence to safety standards, the state aims to minimize risks associated with fire hazards and unauthorized access, thereby safeguarding students and school personnel.

For more detailed information on the specific requirements and standards, schools and interested parties can refer to the full text of the law via the Ohio Revised Code – Section 3737.07.

To schedule an inspection, go to: https://www.cacdoorsystems.com/