Fire Hazards Loom Near Smoking Areas
Limited Response to Complaints, Lack of Penalty Regulations
Recently, citizens have been experiencing growing inconvenience due to air conditioner outdoor units that are haphazardly installed throughout residential neighborhoods and alleyways, blowing hot air indiscriminately. Although installation regulations exist, they are not properly followed, and oversight and supervision are virtually neglected, raising concerns about vulnerability to fire hazards.
An outdoor unit violating regulations installed in a residential area in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Choi Youngchan
On the afternoon of August 22 in Mapo-gu, Seoul, a 34-year-old resident surnamed Park said, "It's already unbearably hot, and every time I pass by an outdoor unit, it makes me even more irritated," as he frowned and hurried his steps. In fact, a look around residential areas in Seoul revealed that it was easy to spot outdoor units installed in violation of regulations. Some units did not even have an "air guard" to redirect airflow upward or downward, causing the heat to blow directly onto pedestrians.
There were also numerous cases where outdoor units were placed in front of smoking areas or next to flammable materials. In one officetel smoking area, more than 10 outdoor units were densely installed, and smokers were discarding cigarette butts on the ground right in front of the units after smoking.
The current "Regulations on Building Facility Standards" require that outdoor units be installed at least 2 meters above the road surface or in a way that prevents heat from directly reaching residents or pedestrians. However, there are physical limitations to monitoring every individually installed outdoor unit, so illegal installations are effectively left unchecked.
For multi-family housing built after 2006, it is mandatory to place outdoor units indoors, but for homes built before then, securing installation space is not easy. Since 2019, the government has also required separate outdoor unit spaces to be designated at the building review stage for general buildings, but it will take time for this system to become established. An official from a district office stated, "While we cannot monitor every outdoor unit, we will take immediate action if we receive a complaint."
Even if an illegal installation is identified, another problem is the lack of legal grounds to penalize those responsible for the installation. An official from the Seoul Metropolitan Government explained, "Outdoor units are considered personal home appliances, so there are currently no legal provisions for penalties."
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