Seoul City Strengthens Management of 'Lithium Batteries' in Public Transportation... Introduction of Type D Fire Extinguishers and Automatic Fire Suppression Systems

'Measures to Prevent Traffic Accidents Related to Lithium Battery Fires' Announced
Deployment of Type D Fire Extinguishers on Buses and Appointment of Electrical Safety Managers
City Establishes Manuals and System Improvements for Rapid Response

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has announced fire management measures for public transportation modes equipped with lithium batteries, including subways, buses, taxis, and personal mobility devices (PMs). The plan prioritizes the installation of fire prevention facilities in charging stations and parking lots to help early fire suppression and prevent large-scale fires.

On the 8th, Seoul announced a "Safety Management and Accident Prevention Plan" related to lithium battery fires, which are highly reactive chemically, vulnerable to fire, and difficult to extinguish due to chain explosions caused by toxic gas emissions.

Currently, there are 34 motor cars equipped with lithium batteries and 484 electric trains in Seoul subway stations. There are 1,402 electric city buses, 302 electric village buses, and 6,793 electric taxis. Additionally, there are 19 public electric bus garages, 53 corporate taxi garages, 3 LPG charging stations, and 54 public parking lots among related facilities.

However, due to criticisms about insufficient measures for lithium battery fires, Seoul has decided to prepare proactive countermeasures. First, for the lithium battery-equipped track motor cars that recently caught fire, operation will be switched to diesel engine mode until safety is secured. Furthermore, 'Type D fire extinguishers' will be placed on all operating motor cars (34 units) to enable rapid response in case of fire. Seoul plans to implement these measures as an emergency plan and complete them by July.

The lithium batteries installed in electric trains are currently used only for initial startup and emergency power supply, so they are relatively less risky and have not caused fires. The track motor car fire at Daechi Station was the first case. Nevertheless, Seoul plans to establish proactive measures to prepare for unexpected fires.

By March next year, fire safety facilities will be significantly expanded, including automatic fire extinguishing systems that detect internal temperature of lithium battery compartments and discharge dedicated extinguishing agents when overheating occurs, as well as automatic suffocation fire extinguishing systems inside battery rooms. In the long term, by the end of next year, Seoul will produce a "Lithium Battery Fire Response Manual" to share with facilities and stakeholders and will continuously request the government to improve regulations, such as establishing technical standards for railway vehicle batteries. Changing to relatively safer battery types will also be considered.

Type D fire extinguishers will be provided on over 1,700 electric city and village buses, and each transportation company will appoint an electric safety manager. Regular inspections by specialized companies will be conducted to strengthen on-site management standards, and thorough driver training will be provided to enable prompt initial response in case of fire. Fire extinguishers will also be mandated at bus charging facilities, and joint fire drills with transportation companies, fire headquarters, and related agencies will be regularly conducted to ensure systematic initial fire suppression activities, communication with related agencies, and dispersal of surrounding vehicles in case of fire.

Amendments to ordinances related to the installation of fire safety facilities such as large fire extinguishers will also be pursued. In the long term, Seoul plans to actively request the government to include provisions on battery charging facility installation and safety standards when legislating laws related to personal mobility devices. Additionally, safety management measures for vehicle parking facilities such as public parking lots will be rapidly reinforced. Currently, there are 54 public parking lots in Seoul equipped with electric vehicle charging facilities. For all public parking lots, Seoul plans to prioritize the installation of fire prevention facilities necessary for early suppression, including five legally mandated safety facilities (▲water barriers ▲inert gas fire covers ▲thermal imaging cameras ▲floor water supply facilities ▲upward direct water devices) as well as large fire extinguishers for electric vehicle fire suppression.

Yoon Jong-jang, Director of the Seoul Transportation Office, said, "Citizens' anxiety has increased due to the recent continuous lithium battery fires. We will actively prevent fires through strengthened pre-inspections of public transportation facilities and establish thorough response measures for early suppression, creating a safe Seoul where citizens can use public transportation with greater peace of mind and convenience."

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