Frequent Fires in Traditional Markets... Songpa-gu Installs 'Fire Alarm Systems' in Traditional Markets

Fire Prevention in Traditional Markets... Songpa-gu Emphasizes Importance of Accident Detection and Initial Response
Completion of 'Fire Alarm Facility' Installation in All Traditional Markets and Shopping Districts in the First Half of This Year
Traditional Market Fire Safety Inspection Ahead of Seollal Holiday... Fire Extinguisher Usage Training Included

# Around 8:33 AM on May 16, 2019, a fire broke out at a vegetable store in Macheon Central Market. Immediately after the fire started, nearby shop owners noticed smoke rising and quickly reported it to 119. Thanks to the prompt response, the initial suppression was successful, preventing a critical situation.

With fire incidents occurring nationwide recently, Songpa-gu (District Mayor Seo Gang-seok) is focusing all efforts on fire prevention, including installing fire alarm systems and conducting safety inspections, especially in traditional markets where shops are densely packed.

In particular, based on previous cases and recognizing the importance of fire detection and initial response, the district has been installing ‘fire alarm systems’ in local traditional markets since 2019.

The ‘fire alarm system’ is a system that detects ignition factors such as smoke, heat, and flames when a fire occurs and immediately notifies the relevant fire station, merchants’ association, and store owners via text message.

As of December 2022, related legislation (the Act on Installation and Safety Management of Firefighting Facilities) was amended to mandate the installation of such firefighting facilities in traditional markets.

The district will invest 60 million KRW in the first half of this year to install fire alarm systems in 77 locations within the ‘Garakgol Alley-type Shopping District.’ Once installation is complete, all traditional markets and shopping districts in Songpa-gu will be equipped with fire alarm systems.

Additionally, anticipating an increase in traditional market visitors ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, the district has begun fire safety inspections. This is because fires could potentially lead to large-scale casualties and property damage.

According to data from the National Fire Statistics System of the Fire Agency in December last year, there were a total of 285 fires in traditional markets over the past five years, resulting in 28 injuries and property damage amounting to 82 billion KRW.

Accordingly, on the 25th and 26th of last month, the district, together with professional engineers, visited six traditional markets within the jurisdiction to check ▲ whether evacuation and firefighting routes were secured ▲ whether gas shutoff valves and alarms were arbitrarily turned off ▲ and the appropriateness of circuit breakers, voltmeters, capacitors, and wiring.

Any deficiencies were corrected, and additional ‘visible fire extinguishers’ were installed along with training on their use, helping merchants respond effectively in the event of a fire.

District Mayor Seo Gang-seok stated, “Songpa-gu is creating a safe traditional market environment where both merchants and residents can feel secure through thorough inspections and tailored support,” and added, “We hope many people will use traditional markets during this Lunar New Year holiday to invigorate the local economy.”

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