Seoul City Supports Up to 26 Million KRW for Fire Safety Performance Enhancement in Multi-Use Facilities

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dong-hyun] Seoul City announced on the 18th that it will provide financial support for fire safety performance reinforcement construction costs for buildings where significant human and property damage is expected in the event of a fire, such as medical facilities, facilities for the elderly and infants, and goshiwons.

The construction cost support targets buildings of three stories or more that use combustible exterior materials and do not have sprinklers installed, among evacuation-vulnerable facilities primarily used by the elderly and young children (such as facilities for the elderly and infants, local children's centers) and multi-use establishments (such as goshiwons and academies).

For these buildings, up to two-thirds of the total construction cost, within 40 million KRW, can be supported, with a maximum of approximately 26 million KRW per building. Reinforcement must mandatorily include replacing combustible exterior materials vulnerable to fire, such as with the dryvit method, or installing sprinklers. Within the construction cost range, outdoor evacuation stairs and fire doors can also be installed.

This policy by Seoul City follows the 'Building Management Act' effective from May 1, which mandates fire safety performance reinforcement for evacuation-vulnerable facilities and multi-use establishments. Since performance reinforcement must be completed by 2022 according to the law, the construction cost support project will also be temporarily promoted until 2022. The aim is to reduce the economic burden on building owners and ensure that all target buildings complete fire safety performance reinforcement within the period.

Building owners wishing to apply for fire safety performance reinforcement construction cost support can submit applications at any time through the Building Management Support Center of the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH). Especially to alleviate inconveniences for building owners lacking expertise, the Building Management Support Center assists in establishing fire safety performance reinforcement plans.

Ryu Hoon, head of the Housing and Architecture Headquarters of Seoul City, said, “Although fire safety standards for newly constructed buildings have been continuously strengthened, major damage accidents mainly occurred in buildings constructed before the standards were strengthened. We will continue to make efforts to reduce casualties caused by building fires and alleviate citizens’ anxiety through active public support system guidance.”

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