The government will strengthen fire safety for pilotis structures in apartments, using the 'Gwangmyeong pilotis apartment fire' as an opportunity. It will urgently supplement the vulnerable aspects of pilotis residential buildings that were constructed before the strengthening of fire safety regulations for buildings.
A building performance verification system will be introduced for transactions, loans, and insurance. If a building receives a low grade for fire or structural safety, loans may be unavailable or insurance premiums adjusted.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport confirmed the 'fire safety improvement measures for pilotis residential buildings' at the third meeting of relevant ministers presided over by the Prime Minister on the 3rd.
This measure was prepared in response to the increased concerns about fire and human casualties in pilotis residential buildings due to a fire that occurred at the Gwangmyeong apartment pilotis parking lot in July.
As of July, it is estimated that there are about 350,000 buildings with pilotis across the country. Among them, dwellings account for the largest number at 280,000 (81%), followed by commercial facilities at 40,000 (11%) and educational facilities at 9,000 (2.7%).
Of the 280,000 residential pilotis buildings, approximately 220,000 (78%) are equipped with flammable exterior materials like those in the recent Gwangmyeong apartment fire. Among these, 116,000 are residential buildings (3.08 million units). There are 30,000 apartments (259,000 units) and 83,000 multi-family homes (716,000 units).
◇Support for existing pilotis residential building safety measures
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has judged that buildings constructed before the strengthening of fire safety regulations pose significant risks, and has prepared safety enhancement measures focusing on existing dwellings.
First, support will be provided for 30,000 pilotis residential buildings for arc breakers and automatic diffusion-type fire extinguishers. An arc breaker is a device that detects electric arcs and cuts off the power supply. An automatic diffusion-type fire extinguisher automatically sprays extinguishing agents when a fire is detected, and is effective in preventing fire spread when installed at first-floor entrances.
The government will support the installation of equipment at an average of 2 million won per unit in conjunction with local governments. The selection of support targets will depend on criteria such as the area of the pilotis parking lot and whether there are first-floor fire compartments.
The ministry will expand information disclosure so that residents can enhance fire safety performance on their own. Important fire safety information, such as exterior materials and sprinklers, will be indicated in building registers to ensure that citizens can easily access it. Moreover, the procedure for promptly adjusting long-term repair plans used for fire prevention will be simplified.
◇Introduction of performance verification system... linking evaluation grades to loans and insurance
To fundamentally improve the fire safety performance of existing buildings in the medium to long term, the ministry will introduce a performance verification system. This system will objectively evaluate and confirm the main functions and performance of buildings and utilize it for transactions such as sales, leases, loans, and insurance. Once this system is implemented, it will encourage building managers to continuously manage and improve building performance.
Overseas, such building performance verification systems have already been implemented and are in operation. In the United Kingdom, the performance verification assessment of buildings is mandatory when taking out collateral loans. If the evaluation grade is low, loans may be unavailable or reduced. In the United States, adjustments in price or contract termination can occur based on the inspection and report results during building transactions.
The ministry plans to prepare concrete measures by the first half of next year to amend the 'Building Management Act' for the introduction of a performance verification system, and once the operation of the system stabilizes, to promote financial links such as loans and insurance.
There is also a proposal to mandate fire safety performance reinforcement for existing residential buildings. The ministry will look into the legal feasibility, scope of mandatory enforcement, and methods in collaboration with experts and institutions starting next year for reinforcing the fire safety performance of existing residential buildings.
Minister Kim Yoon-deok noted, "Safety is the top priority value that directly relates to the lives of the people, and it is the government's duty to protect it," and added, "The government will promptly initiate reinforcement measures for pilotis residential buildings to prevent human casualties from fires and will systematically resolve the fundamental causes."