'Water Downpour' at Gangjin Exhibition Hall in Jeonnam... Sprinkler Malfunctions Due to Heatwave

Gangjin Considers Raising Sprinkler Activation Temperature
Reviewing Measures to Insulate Exhibition Hall Roof

In Gangjin, Jeonnam, an accident occurred during an event when the ceiling of an exhibition hall overheated due to a heatwave, causing the sprinkler system to malfunction and drench the venue with water.

According to Gangjin County on July 25, the sprinkler system suddenly activated and water poured down during the "Empathy Talk Concert with the County Governor" event held the previous day at the Baegundong Exhibition Hall.

Photo to aid understanding of the article. Getty Images.

The cause was identified as a malfunction due to the heatwave, and it was confirmed that there was no fire.

It was determined that heat became trapped between the glass windows installed in part of the exhibition hall ceiling and the curtains and skylights, which were set up to block sunlight. As a result, the temperature soared above 70 degrees Celsius, causing the sprinkler system to mistakenly activate as if there were a fire.

Gangjin County is considering raising the temperature threshold for sprinkler activation and is reviewing measures to insulate the roof from heat.

Meanwhile, according to the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee member Han Byungdo of the Democratic Party, who received audit data from Jeonnam Province, as of the end of last year, 917 out of 1,516 apartment complexes (60.4%) in the Jeonnam region did not have sprinkler systems installed. This means that three out of five apartment complexes lack sprinkler facilities, which are crucial for initial fire suppression. In particular, Gangjin County had the highest rate of non-installation in Jeonnam, with 83 out of 90 complexes (92%) lacking sprinklers.

According to current law, sprinkler installation became mandatory for apartment buildings with 16 or more floors constructed after the Fire Facilities Act came into effect in 1990. Since 2005, it has been required for all floors of buildings with 11 or more stories. However, because these regulations were not applied retroactively, many apartment complexes still remain vulnerable in terms of safety.