Sprinklers to Be Installed in All Schools and Special Schools Difficult for Fire Trucks to Access

3-Year Average School Fire Incidents 191 Cases
Ministry of Education Announces First Comprehensive School Fire Prevention Plan

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Sprinklers will be additionally installed in all classrooms of schools and special schools where fire truck access is difficult by 2025.

The Ministry of Education announced on the 31st that it will prepare and implement a comprehensive fire safety plan for educational facilities.

The average number of school fires over three years is 191 cases, and this announcement is the first comprehensive measure for school fire prevention.

The Ministry of Education will establish minimum "fire safety facility standards" and "maintenance and management guidelines" within the safety and maintenance standards of the Educational Facilities Act. The "sprinkler installation standards" will be strengthened and additional installations will be made. To ensure rapid recovery from fires during school construction, a system will be created allowing construction companies handling small-scale school projects to subscribe to construction damage insurance. Additionally, flammable finishing materials such as Dryvit and sandwich panels will be replaced early, and old facilities will be repaired and safety equipment will be provided.

Fire watchers must be mandatorily assigned at school construction sites to prevent fires, and processes with fire risk will be managed through a supervisor's prior approval system. Cooperation with construction-related organizations will be strengthened to prevent fires. Night evacuation drills in dormitories will be made more realistic and substantial, and fire safety culture campaigns will be held regularly.

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