Smart Safety System for 'Electric Fire Prevention' Established in 51 Traditional Markets in Incheon

Incheon City announced on the 5th that it plans to establish a smart safety system to prevent fires in traditional markets caused by electrical factors.

The city plans to invest a total of 11.6 billion KRW from next year until 2027 to introduce the system to 10,847 stores in 51 traditional markets within the city. In the first year, next year, 3.8 billion KRW will be spent targeting about 3,200 stores in 10 traditional markets.

Among the 56 traditional markets in Incheon, 5 unregistered markets are excluded from this project.

In March last year, a fire caused by arson broke out at Hyundai Market in Dong-gu, Incheon, burning 70 out of 205 stores and causing property damage estimated at 1.23 billion won (according to the fire department).
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The smart electrical fire safety system installs Internet of Things (IoT) sensors for electrical fire prevention on the distribution boards of each store within the market. This allows for 24-hour real-time monitoring, and if overload, leakage, or abnormal current is detected, automatic text notifications are sent to the store merchants, the city/county/district disaster control room, and the fire station.

The city decided to proceed with the project considering that the main causes of fires in traditional markets are electrical factors such as power line overload and overcurrent.

An official from Incheon City stated, "Fires frequently occur in traditional markets due to old electrical facilities and complex structures. Through this project, we will do our best to protect merchants and citizens from fire risks by establishing an integrated control system for traditional markets."