Seocho-gu Establishes 'Electric Vehicle Fire Response System' in Public Parking Lots

23 Public Parking Lots, 144 Parking Spaces Targeted
Installation of Fire Response Kits Including Fire Suppression Covers
24-Hour Monitoring and Emergency Drills with Fire Stations

Appearance of the smothering fire blanket. Provided by Seocho-gu.

As social anxiety over electric vehicle fire issues rises, Seocho-gu in Seoul has begun establishing an 'Electric Vehicle Fire Response System' in public parking lots. On the 12th, Seocho-gu announced that it will install the electric vehicle fire response system within this year, targeting 144 parking spaces across 23 public parking lots equipped with electric vehicle charging facilities and dedicated parking sections out of 33 public parking lots in the area.

Seocho-gu plans to first install the system in underground parking lots, where large-scale damage is a concern in case of fire, and then expand it to outdoor parking lots.

Accordingly, the district will install fire response kits in public parking lots to assist initial response during fires, including suffocation fire suppression covers, upward direct water spray devices, and dedicated fire extinguishers. The suffocation fire suppression cover is firefighting equipment designed for initial extinguishing that covers the entire burning electric vehicle at once, blocking air inflow to prevent fire and toxic gas spread. The upward direct water spray device (lower water supply nozzle) sprays water directly upward onto the battery from beneath the vehicle.

Additionally, all metal Class D fire extinguishers placed in electric vehicle parking zones in public parking lots will be replaced with fire extinguishers dedicated to lithium batteries. Furthermore, thermal imaging cameras will be installed to monitor electric vehicle parking sections, linked with the district’s Smart Hub Center for 24-hour monitoring.

Along with the establishment of the fire response system, Seocho-gu will conduct emergency response drills in collaboration with the local fire station, practicing rapid response using firefighting equipment in simulated electric vehicle fire scenarios.

Jeon Seong-su, the district mayor, stated, “Initial response before firefighters arrive at the scene is crucial in the event of an electric vehicle fire,” adding, “We will promptly complete the installation of the fire response system so that residents can reduce their anxiety about electric vehicle fires and use public parking lots safely and comfortably.”

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