[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province will conduct a special audit on fire prevention management practices at Motgol General Market in Suwon City and Anseong Matchum Market in Anseong City together with citizen auditors until the 19th.
This special audit comes in light of growing concerns about large-scale fires involving plastic materials following the fire accident in the soundproof tunnel on the Second Gyeongin Expressway last December, which resulted in casualties. Most of the arcades installed in traditional markets across the province are made of plastic materials similar to those used in the soundproof tunnel.
Out of 156 traditional markets in the province, 74 have arcades installed. Most of these are made of polycarbonate (PC), a type of plastic. Accordingly, the province analyzed the aging of facilities and fire safety inspection histories of traditional markets with polycarbonate arcades and selected Motgol General Market in Suwon City and Anseong Matchum Market in Anseong City as sample audit targets.
For this audit, the province formed an audit team including citizen auditors qualified as fire safety engineers. The audit will focus on the maintenance status of fire prevention facilities, such as whether fire extinguishing equipment and fire alarm systems are functioning properly.
Lee Hee-wan, the province’s chief audit officer, stated, "We plan to enhance the professionalism of the special audit by involving citizen auditors from the planning stage through to the reporting of results. We will continue to promptly inspect social issues that may cause anxiety among residents to do our best to protect their lives and property."
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