Investigation into Intentional Accident Possibility Including Manual Switch Pressed Circumstances
Verification of Fingerprint Recognition Device Malfunction During On-Site Escape Process
[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] The police summoned the person in charge of the construction site on the 24th in connection with the fire extinguishing agent leakage accident that occurred at the new construction site of the knowledge industry center in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul.
The Geumcheon Police Station in Seoul announced that they summoned the person responsible for the fire extinguishing agent leakage accident site on the same day to ascertain the facts, including the safety measures at the site before the accident, the structure of the primary and subcontractors, and the response situation after the accident.
The police are conducting an investigation not only to confirm the basic facts but also to determine whether the accident was due to negligence in the course of work.
In particular, they are focusing on investigating the fact that the manual switch of the fire alarm, which operates the fire extinguishing equipment, was pressed.
The switch is set to release carbon dioxide from the fire extinguishing agent container in case of fire, causing the leakage accident when activated. If the switch was manually pressed, there is a possibility that someone intentionally caused the gas leak.
The police are also reportedly examining the evacuation process of the workers at the site. At the leakage accident site, there were testimonies that the fingerprint recognition device on the exit door malfunctioned twice, delaying the workers' escape by more than 30 seconds.
Meanwhile, the fire extinguishing agent leakage accident occurred at around 8:52 a.m. on the 23rd in the basement of the new construction site of Gasan Metro Knowledge Industry Center in Geumcheon-gu.
About 130 fire extinguishing devices weighing 58 kg and with a capacity of 87 liters, which release carbon dioxide in preparation for fire, were located in the basement of the construction site, and about 123 of these devices leaked the agent. It is reported that inhaling this agent in a confined space can paralyze the central nervous system.
As a result of the accident, two men in their 50s and 40s who were working lost consciousness and were taken to the hospital but died. Two others suffered serious injuries to their respiratory systems, and 17 people sustained minor injuries.
They were performing insulation work covering insulation material on the ducts of the power plant room on the third basement floor when the fire detector suddenly activated, and the contents of the chemical storage containers were released, causing the accident.
At the time of the accident, a total of 52 people were working on site, and except for the casualties, all evacuated on their own. The police have formed a dedicated team at the Geumcheon Police Station to investigate this accident.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
