About the Division of Industrial Compliance
Who are we?
The Division of Industrial Compliance is a division of the Department of Commerce.
Our mission:
“Uphold Ohio’s regulatory requirements through prompt, efficient,
customer service.”
Our Vision:
"Ensuring a safe environment and improving the quality of life
for Ohioans."
How are we structured?
The Superintendent of Industrial Compliance is appointed by the Director of the
Department of Commerce. The Superintendent administers the activities of the Division
of Industrial Compliance. The Superintendent is assisted by a Chief Legal Counsel.
The Division's functions are divided into the following sections:
- Bedding
- Boilers
- Elevators
- Building Code Compliance
- Industrialized Units
- Plumbing
- Steam Engineers
These sections are supported by a fiscal section and office administration section.
Senior Leader: Superintendent Gary L. Schaeffer
Whom do we serve?
We serve two primary types of customers:
- Ohio's citizens
- Ohio's workers and industrial components
What do we do?
Bureau of Building Code Compliance
The Bureau of Building Code Compliance reviews building plans to insure compliance
with the Ohio Building Code for new construction projects as well as major renovations,
additions or alterations to existing structures.
The Bureau has jurisdiction over all state universities, state funded projects,
state owned properties and all structures other than one, two, or three family dwellings,
except where local certified building departments have jurisdiction.
Applications with architectural drawings for plan review may be sent by mail, email
or dropped off at our office in Reynoldsburg. Smaller projects can utilize our walk-in/same
day review service. Walk-in appointments are scheduled in advance between 7:30 AM
and 2:00 PM daily.
Inspections
The Inspection section ensures that construction, electrical wiring, and plumbing
proceed in accordance with the Ohio Building Code. The duties of the Bureau include
inspection of new construction, and of additions and alterations to existing structures.
The section contains the Building Inspection Section, Electrical Inspection Section,
and Plumbing Section.
Plumbing Section
The Plumbing Section enforces the Ohio Plumbing Code and certifies plumbing inspectors.
These inspectors help maintain a safe water source by enforcing proper design and
installation of water waste and vent piping systems. The Plumbing Section reviews
plumbing plans before issuing permits and dispatches inspectors to enforce code
compliance.
Backflow Program
This program helps protect the environment and safeguard the potable water system
for all the citizens of Ohio. Backflow refers to the unintentional reversal of flow
in a potable water system that may result in contamination or pollution to the system.
To ensure that services are provided by qualified professionals, persons who test
or repair backflow prevention assemblies or perform cross connection survey inspections
are certified by the Division of Industrial Compliance. Certificates are issued
only after an applicant has completed the required training course and successfully
passed a written examination as well as a practical exam.
Bureau of Operations and Maintenance
The Bureau of Operations and Maintenance is responsible for proper operation and
maintenance of the structures and critical systems within Ohio's "built environment."
The Bureau of Operations and Maintenance oversees critical systems such as boiler
operations and maintenance, and elevators. The Bureau is also responsible for the
regulation of bedding, upholstered furniture, and stuffed toy products. In addition
the Bureau provides for the licensing and/or registration of boiler contractors,
boiler operators, steam engineers, boiler and elevator inspectors, ski/tramways,
and roller rinks.
Bedding and Upholstered Furniture Section
The Bedding Section protects Ohio consumers and retailers against misrepresentation
of filling materials in articles of bedding, upholstered furniture and stuffed toys.
Chemists perform analytical tests and law label validation on regulated articles.
The section's laboratory is in Reynoldsburg, OH. The section requires registration
of manufacturers, importers, distributors and wholesalers whose articles are offered
for sale or for use in Ohio. Additionally, the section regulates secondhand dealers
offering used products in Ohio. A component of the secondhand license is proper
sanitization and labeling of regulated articles prior to being offered for sale.
Boiler Section
The Boiler Section enforces the rules relating to inspection, construction, installation,
and repair of operating boilers. All boilers, with some exceptions, must be inspected
annually. These inspections are both internal and external examinations of the boilers
and all operating aspects of them. Both state employed inspectors and special inspectors
(employed by insurance companies) perform the inspections. If a boiler is unsafe
or does not meet the required safety criteria, the superintendent may order its
operation to cease until the necessary corrective action is made. When a boiler
meets all safety standards outlined in the revised and administrative rules a Certificate
of Operation is issued.
Elevator Section
The Elevator Inspection Section promotes safety in Ohio by performing semiannual
inspections of passenger, freight, special service, tower, coal mine, and handicap
elevators. Additionally, escalators, dumbwaiters, stage-lifts and belt-type man-lifts
fall within the jurisdiction of the Section. There are nearly 31,000 elevator devices
tracked in the section’s database. The elevator section’s field inspectors are certified
under the ASME Q.E.I. criteria. The cities of Cleveland and Cincinnati provide their
own inspections and are not regulated by the Section. Ohio enforces the revised
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME A17.1) code for elevators, which
includes provisions for special purpose personnel elevators, as well as the ASME
A18.1 standard for platform lifts and stairway chair lifts. Please see the section’s
web site for specific information.
Licensing and Certification Section
Within the Licensing and Certification Section, the Steam Engineers Section is responsible
for conducting examinations and licensing of persons who qualify as stationary steam
engineers and boiler operators. Without a license, no person may legally perform
the duties relating to the operation of stationary steam engines or stationary steam
boilers over 30 horsepower. Licensed stationary steam engineers and boiler operators
must have knowledge on a variety of subjects relating to power plant systems. The
State of Ohio Stationary Steam Engineers License Examinations are designed to determine
if individuals have such knowledge and skill to operate steam equipment in a safe
and effective manner.
The Licensing and Certification Section also oversees the licensing and/or registration
of Boiler and Elevator Inspectors, Boiler Contractors, Roller Rinks, and Ski/Tramway
equipment.
Board of Building Appeals
The Board of Building Appeals reviews appeals of adjudication orders issued by the
Bureau of Construction Compliance or a certified local or county building department.
The board may reverse, modify, or repeal an order of the enforcing agency if the
Board finds the order to be contrary to a fair interpretation or application of
the governing laws or rules.
Board of Building Standards
The Board of Building Standards formulates and adopts rules governing the erection,
construction, repair, alteration, and maintenance of all buildings or classes of
buildings specified in Section 3781.06 of the Ohio Revised Code. The board also
governs the installation of equipment and materials used in these buildings.
The board is the State entity that adopts administrative rules for Ohio's building
code, pressure piping, boilers, and elevators. The mission of the board is to ensure
building safety. In addition, the board certifies local building code enforcement
departments and their personnel and considers all petitions for changes to the existing
codes.
Industrialized Unit Section
Industrialized units are structures or parts of a structure built away from the
site of intended use. This necessitates inspection at the manufacturer's location
rather than the construction site. The Industrialized Unit (I.U.) Section evaluates
a manufacturer's construction documents to insure compliance with the Ohio Building
Code. Inspectors from the Industrialized Unit Section (I.U.) or inspectors from
a third party inspection agency perform plant evaluation inspections. The inspectors
from the third party inspection agency must be certified by the Ohio Board of Building
Standards.
Historical Boilers Licensing Board
The Historical Boilers Licensing Board ensures public safety through the adoption
of rules governing the criteria that inspectors of historical boilers shall utilize
in determining the safe operation of historical boilers. In addition, the board
approves historical boiler operator courses and issues operator licenses to those
individuals qualified to operate historical boilers in public.
Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board
The Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board issues state qualification licenses
to qualified electrical, plumbing, hydronics, HVAC, and refrigeration contractors.
The board is responsible for developing and administering a program of testing,
licensing, and continuing education for these five trades. Possession of these licenses
exempts the holder from taking city or county examinations for contractor licensing.
The board's continuing education program updates licensed contractors about new
developments, procedures, equipment, or products affecting their businesses, allowing
them to perform quality work for Ohio residents.
Roller Skating Rink
The Division of Industrial Compliance registers roller skating rinks according to Chapter
4171 in the Ohio Revised Code.
Ski Tramway Board
The Ski Tramway Board ensures public safety with the construction, maintenance and
mechanical operations of passenger tramways at Ohio's ski areas according to the
Ohio Revised Code 4169.01
How are we funded?
The Division of Industrial Compliance is fully funded through annual renewal fees
paid by licensees, application processing fees, certification and registration fees.
The Division does not receive funding from the general revenue fund. As a result,
this division operates like a private business enterprise, recovering costs through
fees and assessments for its services. Nevertheless, the Division of Industrial
Compliance is subject to the same budgeting and expense reporting requirements as
other state agencies and makes a conscious ongoing effort to minimize expenses.