Yeongdeungpo-gu Strengthens Electric Vehicle Fire Response by Installing Fire Extinguishers at Charging Facilities

26 Fire Extinguishers Installed at 26 Formerly Owned Electric Vehicle Charging Stations... Initial Fire Response Measures Developed Amid Electric Vehicle Expansion... Updated Safety Guidelines and Campaigns to Prevent Overcharging, a Major Fire Cause

Fire Extinguishers Installed at Dangsan Neighborhood Park Public Parking Lot

Yeongdeungpo-gu (District Mayor Choi Ho-kwon) announced that it has installed fire extinguishers within electric vehicle charging facilities to respond quickly to vehicle fires.

Recently, as the supply of electric vehicles has expanded, the installation of charging facilities for the convenience of owners has also increased.

However, concerns have been raised that safety guidelines have not kept pace with the increase in electric vehicle charging facilities, and issues related to electric vehicle fires have especially come to the forefront.

In the event of a fire in an electric vehicle, the battery’s thermal runaway can cause the temperature to rise rapidly to over 1000℃, making initial suppression difficult and increasing the likelihood of a large-scale fire. Additionally, if a fire occurs in places where fire trucks have difficulty accessing, such as underground parking lots, it can lead to significant casualties and property damage.

Accordingly, to respond quickly to initial fires, the district completed the installation of a total of 48 fire extinguishers at 26 district-owned charging facilities last year.

Currently, fire extinguishers are available at ▲Yeongdeungpo-bon-dong (3 locations) ▲Yeongdeungpo-dong (1 location) ▲Yeouido-dong (1 location) ▲Dangsan-dong (7 locations) ▲Dorim-dong (1 location) ▲Mullae-dong (2 locations) ▲Yangpyeong-dong (3 locations) ▲Singil-dong (4 locations) ▲Daerim-dong (4 locations).

In addition, the district plans to strengthen publicity to prevent ‘overcharging,’ a major cause of electric vehicle fires, and will continue efforts to ensure user convenience by informing that the installation of electric vehicle charging facilities is mandatory in public facilities and apartment complexes.

A district official stated, “We will continuously prepare measures to strengthen the safety of charging facilities, such as additional installation of fire safety equipment,” and added, “We will strive to provide charging facilities that offer both convenience and safety to residents.”