Mapo-gu Continues Free Installation Support for Emergency Escape Devices This Year

Free Installation Support for Escape Devices in Fire Safety-Vulnerable Small Houses, Year-Round Applications Accepted... Mapo-gu Conducted Nation's First Project in 2019, Supporting 158 Households Over 2 Years

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Mapo-gu (District Mayor Yudonggyun) will continue the emergency escape device installation support project, which has been implemented since 2019 to protect the lives of residents, this year as well.

An emergency escape device is an emergency evacuation device designed to allow a person to slowly descend from a high floor to an evacuation floor by wearing a belt in case of fire or other emergencies. According to the "Act on Fire Prevention, Installation and Maintenance of Firefighting Facilities and Safety Management," it is mandatory to install these devices in apartments of five floors or higher and non-residential buildings of a certain size or larger.

However, small-scale houses where the majority of residents live are excluded from this law, so in the event of an emergency without secured evacuation routes, residents living in general households had no choice but to rely solely on firefighters' rescue.

In response, in 2019, the district became the first nationwide to implement a support project for installing emergency escape devices in small-scale houses. To establish the legal and institutional basis for the project, the Mapo-gu Fire Safety Vulnerable Household Evacuation and Rescue Equipment Support Ordinance was enacted and promulgated, and emergency escape devices were installed in 114 households that year.

In the following year, 2020, installation was completed in 44 households within the district, supporting a total of 158 households over two years. The district plans to continue support this year to expand the project.

The support targets small-scale houses (single-family, multi-family, multiplex, row houses, etc.) that are three floors or higher above ground and have a net floor area of 85㎡ or less. After going through a selection process by the Evacuation and Rescue Equipment Support Review Committee, which includes fire safety experts, the installation of emergency escape devices proceeds, with all installation costs fully covered by the district.

Building owners wishing to apply can download the application form from the Mapo-gu Office website, fill it out, and submit it either by visiting the Mapo-gu Urban Safety Division in person or via email (rmarn01@mapo.go.kr).

For other inquiries related to emergency escape device installation, contact the Mapo-gu Urban Safety Division for guidance.

Yudonggyun, Mayor of Mapo-gu, said, “We have been carrying out the emergency escape device installation project with the hope of contributing to the safe and happy lives of our residents. We will continue this effort to realize a safe city and a desirable city to live in, Mapo.”

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