Nowon-gu Launches Reinforcement Project for Fire-Vulnerable Buildings

Use of Flammable Exterior Materials on Buildings Over 3 Floors Without Sprinklers in Facilities for Evacuation-Vulnerable and Multi-Use Establishments... Temporary Measures Until 2022 for Performance Enhancement... Support Up to 26 Million KRW Based on Total Construction Cost of 40 Million KRW

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Nowon-gu (District Mayor Oh Seung-rok) is undertaking a performance reinforcement project for buildings vulnerable to fire to ensure the safety of its residents.

The district has initiated the building performance reinforcement project because, starting May 1, a legal basis for performance reinforcement and support to prevent fires in buildings has been established under the 'Building Management Act.'

The target buildings for support are facilities for vulnerable evacuees and multi-use establishments that are three stories or higher, use combustible exterior materials, and lack sprinkler systems.

‘Facilities for vulnerable evacuees’ include medical facilities, elderly and childcare facilities, community child centers, and youth training centers, while ‘multi-use establishments’ include goshiwon (small lodging houses), bathhouses, and postpartum care centers. However, multi-use establishments are limited to buildings under 1,000㎡ of total floor area with a first-floor pilotis parking structure.

Since the performance reinforcement must be completed by 2022, the construction cost support project will also be temporarily provided only until this period.

The maximum support limit for construction costs is up to two-thirds of the total construction cost based on 40 million KRW, which is up to 26 million KRW. Any excess cost must be borne by the building owner or manager.

Reinforcement methods include replacing combustible exterior materials and reinforcing the ceiling of the first-floor parking lot for pilotis buildings, while other buildings must install simple sprinkler systems. Additionally, within the support amount, outdoor evacuation stairs, fire doors, and downward evacuation exits can be selectively applied.

Applications are accepted year-round, and construction costs are supported after review by the district’s architectural committee. Furthermore, in cooperation with the Building Management Support Center within the Korea Land and Housing Corporation, free consulting is provided for fire safety performance reinforcement, including reinforcement methods and construction cost estimation.

If building owners or managers fail to carry out fire safety reinforcement construction by 2022, they may face imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million KRW.

The district plans to notify building managers subject to fire safety performance reinforcement by mail by October.

Additionally, a field survey will be conducted with the cooperation of the fire station to check the installation status of sprinklers and other conditions.

Oh Seung-rok, Mayor of Nowon-gu, said, “Through the building performance reinforcement project for fire-vulnerable buildings, we can systematically prepare for safety accidents such as building fires,” adding, “We will continue to do our best to make Nowon a safe place for residents to live.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.