Firefighting Drill for Electric Vehicle Fire Response Conducted on the 23rd
A carbon dioxide fire extinguisher installed at the public parking lot of Poi Elementary School in Gangnam-gu. Provided by Gangnam-gu.
Gangnam-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Jo Seong-myeong) announced on the 21st that it has installed carbon dioxide fire extinguishers in all 20 indoor public parking lots with electric vehicle charging facilities to prevent electric vehicle fires, and completed the installation of thermal imaging cameras in 3 locations. After strengthening safety measures, the district will conduct a fire response drill for electric vehicles on the 23rd at Yeoksam Cultural Park Public Parking Lot No. 1.
As the purchase rate of eco-friendly electric vehicles has surged annually, the cumulative number of electric vehicles registered in Gangnam-gu reached 13,703 last year, the highest in Seoul. Accordingly, the district recognized the need for its own measures to prevent electric vehicle fire accidents and launched the “Electric Vehicle Charging Facility Fire Prevention Project” as a new initiative this year.
Among the 56 public parking lots in the district, 22 carbon dioxide fire extinguishers were installed in all 20 indoor parking lots where casualties and property damage could be significant in the event of an electric vehicle fire. Additionally, 9 thermal imaging cameras were installed in three locations: Yeoksam Cultural Park Public Parking Lot No. 1, Nonhyeon Elementary School, and Eonju Elementary School public parking lots.
Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are equipment that can suppress fires at an early stage by covering the vehicle to cut off oxygen, preventing the spread of toxic gases and secondary damage. The thermal imaging cameras, which detect temperature rises early, are linked to the Integrated Parking Control Center and enable 24-hour monitoring to detect fires in advance.
The scheduled fire drill on the 23rd will be hosted by the Gangnam-gu Urban Management Corporation, with participation from four organizations including the district office, Gangnam Fire Station, and related companies. The drill will focus on the use of carbon dioxide fire extinguishers for electric vehicle fire suppression and the installation of pocket-type flood barriers.
District Mayor Jo Seong-myeong stated, “As the distribution of electric vehicles increases, the importance of fire prevention and initial response is growing,” adding, “We will continuously enhance the safety of electric vehicle charging facilities and establish a rapid response system in cooperation with related organizations in the event of a fire.”
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