Governor DeWine’s
2026 State of the State Address highlighted a continued focus on Ohio’s children, including school-based health services, literacy supports, and expanded opportunities during the school day.
As districts implement these initiatives—whether through reconfiguring spaces, expanding facilities, or increasing flexible use of existing buildings—OBOA encourages members to partner early with superintendents, facility managers, and design professionals. These collaborations should include review and application of
Ohio Building Code (OBC) Group E (educational occupancy) requirements, which are not always fully understood by project stakeholders. Early coordination can help align educational objectives with life safety, accessibility, and code compliance.
When working with school stakeholders, members are encouraged to emphasize the need to:
- Maintain required means of egress, including clear corridors and usable exits, when adding storage, furniture, partitions, or small rooms within existing spaces.
- Preserve required fire and smoke separations when introducing new openings, doors, service rooms, or shared-use areas.
- Evaluate changes in use or occupancy, such as on-site health services or after-hours community programs, that may affect mixed occupancy provisions, egress requirements, or allowable accessory uses.
- Ensure that any added equipment or constructed elements comply with all applicable structural, construction type, fire protection, and accessibility requirements for Group E occupancies.
OBOA recognizes the focus on Ohio’s students and schools and supports the role of its members in advancing these efforts through consistent and collaborative application of Ohio Building Code provisions.
To support this work, OBOA plans to offer Group E–focused education for code officials and partners beginning in Fall 2026. Additional information will be available at
OBOA.US/Education.