Seoul City Conducts Fire Safety Consulting for Summer Hotel Stays... 233 Accommodation Facility Fires in the Last 5 Years

Fire Safety On-Site Consulting Conducted for Emergency Evacuation Plans of Passengers During Fire Incidents

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters announced on the 12th that it will conduct on-site safety consulting to strengthen fire safety management targeting major tourist hotels expected to have high usage by citizens during the summer months of July and August.

The on-site safety consulting targets 10 tourist hotels located in Jung-gu, Gangnam-gu, and other areas operating "Hokangs" (a portmanteau of hotel and vacation) programs, and will be conducted from today until July 29.

The on-site safety consulting involves checking the evacuation safety plans of the target hotels in preparation for fire incidents, providing detailed consultations from a fire safety perspective, and conducting on-site safety guidance. Additionally, the proper operation of major fire facilities such as sprinklers and the appropriate management of evacuation facilities that assist urgent evacuation in case of fire will also be confirmed.

Meanwhile, according to the Fire and Disaster Headquarters, there were 233 fire incidents in lodging facilities such as hotels over the past five years, resulting in 90 casualties (14 deaths, 76 injuries) and property damage amounting to 1.57 billion KRW. Among these, fires occurring during the peak heat period of July and August accounted for 33 cases (14.2%), a significant proportion.

Choi Tae-young, head of the Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters, said, “As summer urban tourism hotels become more common for vacations, we are actively promoting fire safety measures,” adding, “We will make every effort to prepare safety measures so that citizens can have a cool and safe holiday during the hot summer.”