Strengthening Initial Fire Response
Ensuring Residential Safety for Vulnerable Groups
Busan Urban Corporation (BMC, led by Shin Changho) has promoted the installation of simple sprinklers to enhance fire safety in aging permanent rental apartments.
Although sprinklers are recognized as highly effective for initial fire response, the legal requirements for mandatory installation vary depending on when the relevant laws were amended. As a result, some older housing units lack this equipment, leading to ongoing concerns about fire risks. To address this issue and strengthen the safety of permanent rental apartment residents, the corporation conducted a pilot installation of simple sprinklers in October.
This pilot project increased reliability by conducting performance tests in collaboration with fire safety experts from the Busan Fire and Disaster Headquarters. The test results confirmed that installing simple sprinklers enables initial fire control, securing the critical 3 to 5 minutes known as the "golden time" for extinguishing fires.
In addition, Busan Urban Corporation has provided fire extinguishers to every household in permanent rental apartments and has continuously strengthened various safety facilities, including the installation of smoke detectors and automatic kitchen fire extinguishers. The corporation plans to continue installing simple sprinklers in approximately 300 households each year, working to ensure residential safety for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and people with disabilities.
Shin Changho, President of Busan Urban Corporation, stated, "Although aging public rental apartments are not legally required to have sprinklers, we have decided to promote the installation of simple sprinklers, which are the most effective for initial fire suppression, to ensure residents' safety. Despite the significant cost burden, we will do our best to expand installation targets in the future and create a safer living environment."
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