Increase in Fires at Medical Facilities... Mandatory Safety Inspections and Fire Drills for Personnel

Last Year Medical Facility Fires Increased by 26% Compared to the Previous Year

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] The Fire Agency announced on the 31st that the number of fires in medical facilities such as hospitals and clinics last year was 177 cases, a 26% increase compared to 140 cases the previous year. Casualties also increased by 2, with 5 people affected last year (1 death, 4 injuries) compared to 3 people in 2021 (3 injuries).

Last year, fires by medical facility type occurred in ▲hospitals 46 cases, ▲clinics 34 cases, ▲general hospitals 21 cases, ▲Oriental medicine clinics 16 cases, ▲dental hospitals 14 cases, ▲and nursing hospitals 7 cases. The main causes of fires were ▲operating equipment 109 cases, ▲cigarette or lighter flames 37 cases, ▲sparks or embers 11 cases, among which electrical factors accounted for 74 cases, negligence 59 cases, mechanical factors 15 cases, and arson 7 cases.

All 7 arson cases were ignited by matches or lighters, with motives classified as simple impulsive, grievance resolution, and mental illness, each accounting for 2 cases, and others 1 case. Among the arson incidents, in June 2022, a man in his 60s set fire in the emergency room of Pusan National University Hospital by spraying gasoline on himself and the emergency room area. Fortunately, the fire was extinguished within one minute due to the calm actions of the medical staff, and no major damage occurred.

At that time, the medical staff promptly divided tasks such as 'calling 119,' 'initial firefighting using indoor fire hydrants and extinguishers,' and 'guiding evacuation,' quickly suppressing the fire. This was largely attributed to the regular fire drills conducted beforehand. Accordingly, the Fire Agency awarded Pusan National University Hospital the ‘2022 Fire Response Meritorious Self-Fire Brigade Fire Agency Commissioner’s Commendation.’

Medical facilities have a high fire risk due to the presence of many combustible materials and house patients who are immobile or mentally ill, which can result in significant casualties in case of fire. Therefore, special attention from related personnel and proper fire training education are essential.

The Fire Agency recently enacted the 'Act on Fire Prevention and Safety Management,' allowing fire chiefs and fire station chiefs to conduct and evaluate surprise fire drills and training at medical facilities. For special grade and first-grade fire safety management targets, submission of training results is mandatory. Additionally, sprinkler systems capable of early fire suppression will be retroactively installed in hospital-level medical institutions by 2026, and the preparation and distribution of dedicated fire plans for medical facilities have been improved to establish effective fire safety plans.

Hwang Gisuk, Director of the Fire Prevention Bureau at the Fire Agency, urged, “Medical facility personnel should thoroughly conduct safety inspections of medical equipment and electrical facilities and carry out substantial fire education and training regularly.” He added, “Furthermore, since sprinkler systems are the most effective fire safety equipment, we ask for cooperation to enable early installation of sprinkler systems, which are scheduled to be installed in hospital-level medical institutions by 2026.”