Seocho-gu, Complete Replacement of Concrete Manhole Covers with Steel... Installation of Fall Prevention Facilities

Prevention of Manhole Cover Falls with Metal Fall Protection Facilities
Expansion of Continuous Rainwater Inlets with Enhanced Drainage Function

Seocho-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jeon Seong-su) announced on the 12th that it will replace all 1,128 concrete sewer manhole covers installed on sidewalks with iron manhole covers and install fall prevention facilities.

Concrete manhole covers, which have been installed nationwide since the early 2000s with added colors for urban aesthetic improvement, are less durable than iron manhole covers, posing a safety risk to pedestrians if damaged.

Currently, there are 1,128 concrete manhole covers remaining on sidewalks in Seocho-gu. Starting this month, 700 covers in high-traffic areas will be replaced first, with the remaining 428 scheduled for replacement by next year.

The newly installed iron manhole covers are made of strong and high-strength cast iron, significantly reducing the risk of cracks or holes compared to concrete materials.

Additionally, to prevent accidents caused by manhole covers opening during heavy rain, fall prevention facilities will be installed simultaneously. These facilities consist of metal mesh structures installed directly beneath the manhole covers to prevent people from falling into the sewer even if the cover opens.

So far, Seocho-gu has prioritized installing fall prevention facilities on manholes in flood-prone areas such as Gangnam Station, completing installations at 1,200 sites in 2022 and 2,108 sites in 2023. This year, fall prevention facilities will be installed at 3,174 sewer manholes in flood-prone areas.

Moreover, efforts to expand continuous rainwater inlets to prevent road flooding during heavy rain are ongoing. Over the past two years, a total length of 8,325 meters has been installed, and by May this year, continuous rainwater inlets totaling 1,750 meters in length have been installed on low-lying roads with flood risks such as Seoun-ro and Seocho 3-dong Intersection to enhance drainage functions.

Jeon Seong-su, Mayor of Seocho-gu, stated, “Through this replacement of iron manhole covers and installation of fall prevention facilities, we will prepare for safety more thoroughly and meticulously, and continue facility inspections and maintenance thereafter.”