Achievements Include Easing the Mandatory Installation of "Firefighter Entry Windows"
Mayor Lee Sangil: "We Will Boost Semiconductor Industry Competitiveness by Breaking Down Regulations"
Yongin City in Gyeonggi Province is making an all-out effort to break down regulatory barriers that hinder the creation of a large-scale semiconductor belt. The city is determined to accelerate the establishment of semiconductor production lines (fabs) by improving unnecessary construction regulations and other obstacles for companies.
Yongin City is making every effort to ease regulations that hinder smooth factory construction within the semiconductor industrial complex. A panoramic view of the "Yongin Semiconductor Cluster General Industrial Complex" in Wonsam-myeon, Cheoin-gu, Yongin, where SK Hynix's semiconductor production line is under construction. Provided by Yongin City
According to Yongin City on September 16, the city has submitted a total of 54 regulatory improvement proposals to the central government this year regarding semiconductor fab construction. This reflects the philosophy of Mayor Lee Sangil, who believes that "the best subsidy for the semiconductor industry is speed."
Of the regulatory improvement proposals submitted by the city, legislative procedures such as law amendments are already underway for seven items. It has also been reported that the relevant ministries are reviewing whether to ease regulations for 41 other proposals.
A representative case involves the regulation on "firefighter entry windows" in high-rise buildings. Under the existing Building Act and its enforcement decree, it was mandatory to install firefighter entry windows up to the 11th floor when constructing new buildings, regardless of the building type or actual height.
The problem arises with semiconductor fabs, where the height of a single floor is about 8 meters-more than twice that of ordinary buildings. For floors above the 7th, which cannot be reached by ladder trucks, the installation of firefighter entry windows is ineffective and only complicates the installation of clean rooms.
Reflecting the city's request for regulatory improvement, the government is currently amending the law to exempt semiconductor fabs from installing entry windows in areas above 44 meters, which cannot be reached by ladder trucks.
Additionally, the city has achieved results in improving the standards for fire compartmentalization between floors. Taking into account the wide pipe corridors and numerous lines in semiconductor factories, the city has introduced measures that require the installation of firefighting equipment inside pipe passageways instead of setting up fire compartments between floors, thereby ensuring effective fire safety.
Other improvements include excluding small temporary structures from the list of buildings subject to demolition permits, removing simple exterior wall material replacements from the list of demolition notifications, and revising application forms for land division-leading to further improvements in construction-related regulations.
Mayor Lee stated, "We will continue our efforts to eliminate unnecessary regulations, strengthen industrial competitiveness in sectors like semiconductors, and make life more convenient for our citizens."
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