Jeonbuk Fire Department Launches Fire Safety Facility Installation Support Project

Fire Safety Facility Support Project to Prevent the Spread of Electric Vehicle Fires
from Next Month Until December

The Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Fire Department will implement the 'Fire Safety Facility Installation Support Project' from next month until December.

According to the Jeonbuk Fire Department on the 27th, this project was established to improve the initial response capability and prevent the spread of fires in apartment underground parking lots caused by electric vehicles. It is being carried out as an extension of various systematically implemented policies and projects.

On October 4, 2023, the Fire Department established an institutional foundation by revising the 'Ordinance on the Promotion of Supply and Use of Environmentally Friendly Vehicles in Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province.' In February of the following year, a business agreement was signed with Jeonbuk Development Corporation to carry out a pilot project for installing fire safety facilities in underground charging stations. From March to August last year, a pilot project was conducted at three apartment complexes, with the operating entities bearing 100% of the costs (non-budget), to determine the types of safety facilities and support standards.

Through a demand survey, it was also decided to install fire safety facilities (20% funded by the province, 30% by cities and counties, and 50% self-funded) at 27 apartment complexes where it is impossible to relocate underground charging stations above ground this year. This project is being promoted under the 'Ordinance on Fire Prevention and Support for Safety Facilities in Electric Vehicle Exclusive Parking Zones of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province.' The Fire Department plans to support the installation of fire safety facilities at the 27 apartment complexes that have applied.

The supported facilities include four types: fire barrier walls, smothering fire blankets, upward discharge devices, and dedicated parking zone surveillance CCTV. Each apartment complex will receive support worth approximately 3 million to 8 million KRW. The total project cost is 340 million KRW, with apartments bearing 50% of the cost. By region, 17 complexes in Jeonju, 3 in Gunsan, 1 in Iksan, 1 in Namwon, and 5 in Wanju are participating in the project.

This support project is expected to help prevent the spread of fires before the arrival of firefighters, thereby preventing casualties and reducing property damage. In particular, taking lessons from the massive property damage of 3.728 billion KRW caused by the 2023 fire at the Cheongna apartment in Incheon, the effectiveness of this project will be analyzed and the installation of fire safety facilities will be expanded in the future to mixed-use apartment underground parking lots and other areas.

Fire Chief Lee Osuk stated, "Initial response is especially crucial in electric vehicle fires, which can last for a long time and may spread rapidly along ceiling pipes, as seen in the underground parking lot fire at the Cheongna apartment in Incheon," and added, "Along with the fire safety facility support project, we will also provide education for stakeholders and conduct inspections of fire facilities, thereby realizing a safer Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province for residents."

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