Seocho-gu Establishes Electric Vehicle Fire Response System in Public Parking Lots... Seongdong-gu Collaborates with Fire and Police Stations for EV Fire Response
Amid growing social concern over electric vehicle fire issues, Seocho-gu and Seongdong-gu in Seoul have received positive evaluations for their prompt measures.
Seocho-gu, First to Establish Electric Vehicle Fire Response System in Public Parking Lots
Seocho-gu (Mayor Jeon Seong-su) is taking steps to establish an ‘electric vehicle fire response system’ in public parking lots to protect residents' safety.
The electric vehicle fire response system will be installed in 144 spaces across 23 out of 33 public parking lots in the district that have electric vehicle charging facilities and designated parking spaces. Priority will be given to underground parking lots where large-scale damage is expected in case of fire, and then expanded to outdoor parking lots, with plans to complete the system installation within this year.
First, fire response kits containing fire suppression equipment (such as smothering fire blankets, upward water spray devices, and dedicated fire extinguishers) will be installed in easily accessible locations to enable quick initial response in case of fire.
The smothering fire blanket is firefighting equipment designed for initial extinguishing by covering the entire burning electric vehicle at once to block air inflow, preventing fire and toxic gas spread. The upward water spray device (underbody water nozzle) sprays water directly onto the battery from beneath the vehicle. Although metal fire Class D extinguishers are currently available in public parking lots, they are deemed ineffective for electric vehicle fires, so all will be replaced with lithium battery-specific extinguishers.
Additionally, thermal imaging cameras will be installed to monitor electric vehicle designated parking spaces, linked to the district’s Smart Hub Center for 24-hour monitoring, enabling early detection and response to potential risks.
Along with the establishment of the fire response system, joint drills will be conducted with the local fire station. Emergency response training will be held using the above firefighting equipment at simulated electric vehicle fire scenes to build a close cooperative response system with related agencies.
Seocho-gu Mayor Jeon Seong-su said, “Initial response before firefighters arrive at the scene is crucial in electric vehicle fires.” He added, “We will promptly complete the fire response system to alleviate residents’ concerns about electric vehicle fires and ensure they can use public parking lots safely and comfortably.”
Seongdong-gu Collaborates with Police and Fire Department to Respond to Electric Vehicle Fires
Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jeong Won-o) has rolled up its sleeves for electric vehicle fire prevention and response together with related agencies such as Seongdong Fire Station and Seongdong Police Station amid rising anxiety due to recent consecutive electric vehicle fires in various areas.
On the 13th, Seongdong-gu signed the ‘Seongdong-gu Electric Vehicle Fire Prevention and Response Agreement’ with Seongdong Fire Station and Seongdong Police Station.
The agreement emphasizes the importance of initial response in case of electric vehicle fires within the district and includes plans to reinforce dedicated equipment for electric vehicle fire suppression.
Accordingly, the district will support Seongdong Fire Station by providing additional electric vehicle fire suppression equipment, such as mobile water tanks (mobile immersion tanks) known for their battery pack cooling effect during fire suppression, and smothering fire blankets that cover burning vehicles.
Furthermore, to establish a swift and efficient fire suppression system that includes traffic control and securing safety at accident sites during fires, Seongdong-gu Office, Seongdong Fire Station, and Seongdong Police Station will regularly conduct joint fire response drills to strengthen their cooperative framework.
In addition, the agencies agreed to conduct urgent joint inspections of apartment complexes in Seongdong-gu equipped with electric vehicle chargers in underground parking lots, to be completed by August, and to provide special fire safety education for apartment complex managers in the area.
Moreover, they plan to recommend installing thermal imaging CCTV in electric vehicle charging zones to create a system that can detect and warn of fires early, and will continue to collaborate on identifying and implementing improvement tasks for electric vehicle fire prevention.
Seongdong-gu Mayor Jeong Won-o said, “This agreement holds significance as Seongdong Fire Station and Seongdong Police Station have united with one heart to alleviate residents’ growing anxiety caused by recent consecutive electric vehicle fires in various areas and to create a ‘safer and better Seongdong’ together.”
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