Mandatory Installation of Carbon Monoxide Detectors for Boilers to Prevent '2nd Gangneung Pension Accident'

Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy Revises and Promulgates Enforcement Rules of the Gas Business Act

Officials from the National Forensic Service and police investigating the gas boiler vent at the site of the gas explosion accident on the second floor of the Arara Lake Pension in Gangneung City that occurred in December 2018. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The government announced on the 24th that it will apply regulations mandating the installation of carbon monoxide (CO) alarms on boilers to prevent gas explosions like the 2018 Gangneung pension accident.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that the "Amendment to the Enforcement Rules of the City Gas Business Act" will take effect from the 25th. The amendment includes mandatory installation of CO alarms.

From now on, when installing or replacing gas boilers, lodging facilities used by unspecified multiple people for extended periods must install CO alarms mandatorily.

The amendment also includes safety-related provisions for city gas facilities, such as permitting mobile liquefied natural gas (LNG) refueling businesses and rational improvements to pipelines buried across rivers.

As part of safety enhancement measures, the amendment strengthens the system for verifying the status of city gas pipeline burial. It stipulates that excavation contractors must request pipeline burial inquiries at least 24 hours before excavation work.

Follow-up measures such as preventing excavation accidents, public awareness campaigns on CO alarm installation, and strengthening pre-education for city gas companies and construction industries will be thoroughly prepared.

Among deregulation measures, the establishment of a "mobile liquefied city gas yard tractor refueling business" stands out. Institutional grounds have been established to allow refueling yard tractors using LNG tank lorries.

Detailed standards (KGS Code) for facilities, technology, and inspections for related business permits will be established in the second half of the year.

An official from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said, "Through the amendment, it is expected that major city gas accidents such as excavation accidents and carbon monoxide poisoning incidents will decrease, and fine dust within ports will be reduced."

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