Gwangju Seobu Office of Education Promotes 'School Rooftop Exposed Pipe Freeze Prevention Project'

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Cho Hyung-joo] The Gwangju Western Office of Education has decided to implement a two-year plan for the ‘School Rooftop Exposed Pipe Freeze Prevention Project,’ which includes overall pipe replacement and repairs to prepare for winter cold wave damage.

According to the Gwangju Western Office of Education on the 22nd, this project aims to prevent secondary damage such as leakage and flooding caused by rooftop pipe freezing in winter, water supply interruptions to indoor fire hydrants and sprinklers within schools, and water supply cuts to restrooms, thereby creating a safe educational environment.

According to data compiled by the Disaster Information System of the Korea Educational Facilities Safety Institute, a total of 43 disaster incidents (disaster recovery costs amounting to 130,929,000 KRW) have been recorded in schools under the jurisdiction of the Gwangju Western Office of Education over the past three years.

Among these, 23 incidents (53.5%, 66,182,000 KRW) were caused by cold waves, highlighting the urgent need for measures to prevent freezing of exposed pipes during winter cold waves.

Currently, there are 53 schools (1 kindergarten, 33 elementary schools, 19 middle schools) within the Gwangju Western Office of Education jurisdiction with rooftop exposed pipes. The aged exposed pipe replacement project is planned and implemented as a short-term plan over two years.

Through this year’s supplementary budget, funding has been secured for 19 schools (1 kindergarten, 18 elementary schools). In the 2022 main budget, funds will be allocated for 34 schools (15 elementary schools, 19 middle schools) to complete the rooftop exposed pipe freeze prevention project.

Jo Young-woo, Director of the School Facilities Support Division, stated, “Through the ‘School Rooftop Exposed Pipe Freeze Prevention Project,’ we can prevent secondary damage including administrative resource waste and disaster recovery expenses caused by pipe freezing.” He added, “After conducting on-site inspections of the aging rooftop exposed pipes, we will actively discuss the urgency of the project and replacement timing with schools, focusing on those that have experienced freeze damage due to cold waves.”