Seoul City's Building Mechanical Equipment Management Becomes Stricter Starting from the 18th

[Asia Economy Reporter Onyu Lim] The installation and management of mechanical equipment in buildings will become more stringent. When constructing or expanding buildings that consume large amounts of energy or have a total floor area of 10,000㎡ or more, mechanical equipment design-related approvals must be obtained from the mayor or district head before construction. Additionally, mandatory inspections for the maintenance and management of mechanical equipment in buildings will be enforced. In Seoul, approximately 24,000 buildings will be primarily affected.

Seoul City announced on the 7th that it will implement the Mechanical Equipment Act on the 18th, which systematizes everything from design to construction, inspection, and management in the mechanical equipment sector. Mechanical equipment collectively refers to sanitary equipment, air conditioning equipment, and equivalent building equipment. This includes heating and cooling heat source equipment, hot water supply equipment, wastewater and ventilation, seismic equipment, and air purification and ventilation equipment for indoor air quality management.

Seoul City plans to thoroughly enforce the Mechanical Equipment Act to maximize building energy management efficiency and focus on preventing mechanical equipment accidents, thereby leading the improvement of building quality.

The main points are ① mechanical equipment approval and inspection before and after the start of construction for new or expanded buildings ② mandatory inspections for mechanical equipment maintenance ③ registration for mechanical equipment performance inspection businesses.

First, contractors planning mechanical equipment construction for buildings that consume large amounts of energy or have a total floor area of 10,000㎡ or more must obtain design approval and inspection for mechanical equipment from the mayor or district head before and after the start of construction.

For example, before construction, it must be confirmed whether the mechanical equipment design documents meet technical standards, whether a contract has been made with the mechanical equipment constructor, and whether a supervisor has been assigned. After construction, the mechanical equipment can only be used after passing an inspection confirming that the construction was carried out according to the design before use.

The targets are ① all buildings with a total floor area of 10,000㎡ or more (excluding warehouses) ② buildings with large energy consumption such as ?floor area of 500㎡ or more with installed refrigeration, cold storage, and temperature/humidity control facilities ?apartments and row houses (660㎡) ?bathhouses and water play facilities with a total floor area of 500㎡ or more ?dormitories, medical facilities, and lodging facilities with a floor area of 2,000㎡ or more ?sales, research institutes, and office facilities with a floor area of 3,000㎡ or more ③ all underground stations and underground shopping malls with a total floor area of 2,000㎡ or more.

Until now, there was no law related to mechanical equipment, so architects coordinated with mechanical engineers for each field and prepared the overall architectural design before obtaining approval, proceeding without pre-construction confirmation or pre-use inspection procedures for mechanical equipment.

Second, building owners are required to conduct mandatory inspections for mechanical equipment maintenance. For new or expanded buildings and existing buildings, they must appoint or assign a mechanical equipment maintenance manager or entrust inspection and management tasks to a registered mechanical equipment performance inspection company. Previously, inspections for maintenance were not mandatory, so building owners conducted them at their discretion.

A Seoul City official said, "With the mandatory design approval, inspection, and maintenance inspection of mechanical equipment, safety and durability will be enhanced, allowing mechanical equipment to maintain optimal performance." They also noted that since mechanical equipment typically consumes about 40% of building energy, energy savings will contribute to greenhouse gas reduction and ultimately improve building quality.

Third, companies wishing to perform mechanical equipment performance inspections for buildings must register as mechanical equipment performance inspection businesses with the mayor or governor within one year after the law's enforcement by meeting certain conditions. This is expected to contribute to job creation in related industries. The conditions include ?capital of 100 million KRW or more ?at least four personnel including technical staff ?possession of 21 types of equipment such as infrared thermal imaging cameras.

Ryu Hoon, head of the Housing and Architecture Headquarters of Seoul City, said, “With the enforcement of the Mechanical Equipment Act, the lifespan of building mechanical equipment will be extended economically, and energy facilities will be efficiently inspected and managed, reducing energy consumption as well as greenhouse gases and fine dust.” He added, “Furthermore, the realization of comfortable green buildings will enhance building quality.” He continued, “Going forward, Seoul City will work to strengthen personnel responsible for mechanical equipment-related tasks.”