Modular Classrooms to Be Supplied on a 'Rental' Basis... Subject to Fire Inspections Like Regular Buildings

Ministry of Education Signs Modular Classroom Business Agreement with Public Procurement Service and Fire Agency
Expanding Development and Supply of Portable School Buildings, Promoting Fire Facility Completion Inspections

Exterior view of the modular classroom (Source: Ministry of Education)

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The Ministry of Education is preparing a plan to lease portable modular classrooms for schools facing a shortage of classroom space. Modular classrooms will also undergo fire safety completion inspections like regular buildings.

On the 26th, the Ministry of Education will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Public Procurement Service and the National Fire Agency at the Government Complex Seoul to support the development and supply of portable school buildings and ensure fire safety.

Portable school buildings (modular classrooms) refer to buildings manufactured with frameworks, finishing materials, mechanical and electrical facilities, transported to the site, and then assembled and installed to complete the building.

They have performance levels comparable to regular buildings (seismic resistance, fire safety, insulation, etc.) and are easy to install and dismantle, making them an alternative for temporary classrooms during construction and for alleviating overcrowded classes.

This MOU was prepared to effectively respond not only to the temporary classroom needs required for the Green Smart Future School project but also to additional classroom demands to alleviate overcrowded classes, based on inter-agency cooperation.

The Ministry of Education and the Public Procurement Service will cooperate to develop user-centered portable classrooms and support their supply through this agreement.

They plan to establish a system through the Public Procurement Service that allows users to quickly and easily lease portable school buildings (modular classrooms) while expanding the range of choices as soon as possible.

The Ministry of Education expects that the situation, where there were few modular classroom manufacturers and high costs made supply difficult, will improve.

Additionally, through the agreement with the National Fire Agency, the Ministry of Education will cooperate to secure fire safety by having fire stations conduct completion inspections and safety management of fire facilities in portable temporary classrooms.

Although temporary classrooms were considered temporary structures and had been a blind spot, they will now undergo fire facility completion inspections by fire stations just like regular buildings.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye said, "This MOU allows us to respond more flexibly to spaces needed for the Green Smart Future School project and alleviating overcrowded classes, and we will continue to establish a support foundation for future education through collaboration with related agencies."

Kim Jung-woo, Commissioner of the Public Procurement Service, stated, "During the Green Smart Future School project period, we will reliably supply portable classrooms that students can use safely and will also expand support in other procurement areas."

Shin Yeol-woo, Commissioner of the National Fire Agency, said, "We will continue efforts to secure fire safety by installing fire facilities and conducting completion inspections for portable temporary classrooms just like existing schools, alleviating concerns about fire."

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