Jeonnam Fire Department Ensures Thorough Safety Management in Factory-Dense Industrial Complex

Promotion of 'Fire Safety Measures' Including Inspection of Electrical Wiring in Ceilings Using Thermal Imaging Cameras

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Fire Headquarters (Chief Ma Jaeyoon) is tightening fire safety management in industrial complexes densely packed with factories.

Jeonnam Fire announced on the 29th that it will implement a 'Fire Safety Plan' for industrial and agro-industrial complexes in the province as casualties and property damage from factory fires have increased recently.

Looking at factory fires over the past five years (2016?2020), a total of 346 cases occurred, causing property damage worth 20.3 billion KRW and casualties of 13 people (1 death and 12 injuries).

The causes of fire were mostly electrical factors with 91 cases (26.3%), followed by negligence with 85 cases (23.3%), and mechanical factors with 77 cases (22.2%).

Due to the nature of industrial complexes, fires are highly likely to escalate into large-scale fires. In fact, last month, a factory fire in Chungnam resulted in 10 casualties, and earlier, a fire at a factory in Gangjin, Jeonnam last year caused property damage worth 3 billion KRW.

Accordingly, Jeonnam Fire will implement safety measures for national industrial complexes, fire boundary zones, and priority management targets within the province.

In particular, for industrial complexes older than 20 years, they plan to conduct detailed inspections using thermal imaging cameras to check areas not visible to the naked eye, such as electrical wiring inside ceilings.

This time, the main initiatives include ▲eliminating fire risk factors through special fire inspections ▲forming fire safety councils between fire departments and tenant companies ▲strengthening safety management in fire boundary zones ▲administrative guidance visits by fire station chiefs to tenant companies in industrial complexes ▲and submission of construction plans for national industrial complexes.

Ma Jaeyoon, Chief of Jeonnam Fire Headquarters, said, “Due to the nature of industrial complexes, fires spread quickly, raising concerns about casualties and causing significant property damage due to the loss of expensive equipment. While the fire department will do its best, active participation in fire prevention by related parties is most important.”