SB 112 House Testimony — Ohio House Commerce and Labor Committee (June 18, 2024)

Summary

Testimony on SB 112, the Ohio Childhood Safety Act, to the Ohio House Commerce and Labor Committee, dated June 18, 2024, from Jayson Karas, who identifies as a Principal Voting Technical Committee Member for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The testimony says SB 112 mandates annual inspections of ingress, egress, security, fire, and smoke-rated doors in educational institutions. It says that, drawing on experience in healthcare, transitioning to annual inspections of fire and smoke doors proved manageable. It commends Senator Michael Rulli for introducing the legislation.

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Full text

SB 112 House Testimony
Ohio House Commerce and Labor Committee
June 18, 2024

Chairman Johnson, Vice-chair Manchester, Ranking Member McNally, and Committee Members,

Thank you for the opportunity to address the committee today regarding SB 112, the Ohio Childhood Safety
Act. My name is Jayson Karas, and I serve as a Principal Voting Technical Committee Member for the National
Fire Protection Association (NFPA), specifically contributing to NFPA 80 and NFPA 105 standards. With over
twenty-six years of experience in installing and maintaining fire-rated doors and hardware across various
sectors, including healthcare and education, I come before you not only as a technical expert but also as an
advocate for enhancing safety measures in our schools.

SB 112 is crucial for enhancing school safety by mandating annual inspections of ingress, egress, security, fire,
and smoke-rated doors in educational institutions. These doors are vital components that must function
effectively to ensure the safety of all occupants, aligning with the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code. Such
inspections, integrated with a school’s Emergency Management Plan, will provide a clear layout of the facility
and identify areas of protection or vulnerability, thereby supporting emergency services in their preparedness
and response efforts.

The Department of Homeland Security’s SchoolSafety.gov underscores the importance of proactive measures in
preventing, mitigating, and responding to various school safety threats. By ensuring the readiness of fire and
emergency doors through regular inspections, SB 112 aligns with these federal recommendations and
strengthens our state’s commitment to school safety.

Drawing from my experience in healthcare, where similar inspections are mandated under CMS regulations, I
have seen firsthand the positive impact of such measures. Transitioning to annual inspections of fire and smoke
doors proved manageable and significantly enhanced facility safety. The structured inspection process outlined
in NFPA 80 ensures compliance and readiness, reinforcing administrators’ obligations to uphold life safety
standards.

In conclusion, SB 112 represents a critical step forward in safeguarding our schools and protecting our children.
I commend Senator Michael Rulli for introducing this important legislation, which I firmly believe will save
lives. I urge the committee’s support for SB 112 and am available to address any questions you may have.



Thank you.




Jayson Karas
NFPA 80/105 Technical Committee Member
320-247-3434


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