The Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters said on the 27th that it will implement fire safety measures targeting unmanned stores and unmanned multi-use facilities.
Unmanned multi-use facilities operate without management personnel or other responsible parties. As such, there have been concerns that initial responses to fires would be difficult. There are a total of 4,254 unmanned facilities in Seoul, including 3,829 unmanned stores such as photo studios, laundromats, and study cafes, as well as 425 unmanned multi-use facilities such as singing practice rooms and kids' cafes.
First, the Seoul city government plans to deploy 25 fire safety inspectors to the buildings housing unmanned multi-use facilities to check compliance with fire safety management. Additionally, investigations into the condition of fire protection equipment and evacuation and fire prevention facilities will be conducted, along with safety consultations.
After the investigation, the Seoul city government will immediately take corrective actions on-site for facilities where minor deficiencies are found. For serious violations such as blocking, shutting down, or locking fire protection equipment during a fire, it will respond with fines and orders for corrective actions.
In addition, the Seoul city government will operate the 'Unmanned Store 119 Safety Protector,' consisting of volunteer firefighters. The Unmanned Store 119 Safety Protector will check safety facilities like fire extinguishers within unmanned multi-use facilities and inspect electrical appliances, such as curling irons in photo studios.
Kwon Hyuk-min, head of the Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters, said, "We will work to resolve the safety blind spots in unmanned multi-use facilities and enhance the safety and welfare of citizens."