'Former Firefighter' Rep. Oh Young-hwan Proposes Large-scale Fire Prevention Act

by Lim Chunhan

Published 17 Jun.2020 17:19(KST)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Oh Young-hwan, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea and a former firefighter, proposed three amendment bills to the Building Act, the Industrial Safety and Health Act, and the Firefighting Facilities Act as his first legislative proposals on the 17th.

Lawmaker Oh introduced these bills to prevent large-scale fires like the recent Icheon logistics warehouse disaster, which resulted in 38 deaths.

The amendment to the Building Act mandates the use of fire-retardant materials or higher-grade materials as the core material for finishing materials, insulation materials, and composite materials used in factories, warehouses, and multi-use facilities.

The amendment to the Industrial Safety and Health Act includes a provision prohibiting the simultaneous handling of hazardous substances and welding/cutting work at construction sites.

The amendment to the Firefighting Facilities Act requires the appointment of a fire safety manager and an assistant fire safety manager when constructing, expanding, remodeling, or reconstructing buildings.

Lawmaker Oh stated, "Repeated large-scale fires are due to patchwork measures driven by economic logic prioritizing cost reduction over the lives and safety of the people," adding, "Fundamental measures must be established to prevent further large-scale casualties caused by fires."