Gangnam Has the Most Electric Vehicles in Seoul... Public Parking Lot Fire Measures Also Prompt

Electric Vehicle Fire at Public Parking Lot Under Elementary School Raises Safety Concerns
Gangnam-gu to Launch 'Charging Facility Fire Prevention Project' from June
Seocho-gu to Establish 'Electric Vehicle Fire Response System' This Month

A carbon dioxide fire extinguisher installed in the underground public parking lot of Nonhyeon Elementary School, Gangnam-gu. Provided by Gangnam-gu.

"I can even see XX brand electric cars in our complex's underground parking lot. Measures are needed. If a problem occurs, shouldn't the electric car owners be clearly responsible? The news is really scary."

Amid growing public anxiety following an electric car fire incident in an underground parking lot of an apartment complex in Incheon on the 1st, some local governments' proactive responses are drawing attention.

After the battery fire accident, some apartment complexes have seen public opinion emerging that "electric car parking should be banned," and complaints expressing unease are increasing in public facilities such as public parking lots. Moreover, many public parking lots are located underground at schools like elementary schools, intensifying parents' concerns.

In this situation, the prompt responses of Gangnam-gu and Seocho-gu have somewhat lowered the anxiety index. Gangnam-gu and Seocho-gu rank first and second in the number of electric car registrations among Seoul's 25 districts.

Gangnam-gu's preemptive measures stand out in Seoul. Two months before this incident, in June, Gangnam-gu installed smothering fire extinguishing covers in 20 indoor public parking lots with electric car charging facilities and installed nine thermal imaging cameras in three locations, strengthening safety measures.

The smothering fire extinguishing cover is an initial firefighting device that covers the entire burning electric car at once to block air inflow, preventing fire and toxic gas spread, thereby preventing secondary damage. The thermal imaging cameras, which detect temperature rises early, are linked to the integrated parking control center and can quickly detect fires through 24-hour monitoring.

On the 23rd of last month, Gangnam-gu conducted an electric car fire response firefighting drill at the Yeoksam-dong public parking lot together with the Gangnam Fire Station and others. Gangnam-gu started the "Electric Vehicle Charging Facility Fire Prevention Construction Project" as a new project this year to strengthen fire preparedness, judging that its large number of electric car registrations requires its own measures.

As of the end of the first half of the year, Gangnam-gu has 14,300 electric cars registered, accounting for 18% of Seoul's total (79,500), the highest number. There are 56 public parking lots in total, of which 20 indoor parking lots could cause significant human and property damage in the event of an electric car fire.

The image shows a deployed gas suppression system. Provided by Seocho-gu.

Seocho-gu plans to establish an "Electric Vehicle Fire Response System" by the end of this year in 23 out of 33 public parking lots in the district where electric car charging facilities and dedicated parking spaces totaling 144 parking spots are installed. After the battery factory fire incident in June, Seocho-gu was reviewing internal opinions on the need for electric car fire response measures in public parking lots, and accelerated the plan following the apartment fire.

For underground parking lots where large-scale damage is feared in case of fire, installation is planned to be completed within this month. The district will install fire response kits for initial response in public parking lots, including smothering fire extinguishing covers, thermal imaging cameras, upward direct water spray devices (lower water supply nozzles), and dedicated fire extinguishers. The upward direct water spray device sprays water directly onto the battery from the underside of the vehicle upwards.

Additionally, the metal fire Class D extinguishers, which are of little use for electric car fires, will be completely replaced with extinguishers dedicated to lithium batteries. As of the end of last year, Seocho-gu had 5,725 electric cars registered, the second highest in Seoul after Gangnam-gu.

Cho Seong-myeong, Mayor of Gangnam-gu, said, "We will continuously enhance the safety of electric vehicle charging facilities and establish a rapid response system with related organizations in case of fire."

Jeon Seong-su, Mayor of Seocho-gu, said, "Initial response is crucial before firefighters arrive at the scene in case of an electric car fire. We will promptly complete the establishment of the fire response system."