The Anjeon Industry plant in Munpyeong-dong, Daedeok-gu, Daejeon, where 55 people were injured, is not required to have sprinklers. However, with large amounts of sodium stored inside the plant, some say sprinklers could have made the damage worse. Sodium can cause a large explosion when it comes into contact with water.
According to fire authorities on the 20th, the Anjeon Industry plant where the fire broke out was not subject to mandatory sprinkler installation. Instead, sprinklers were installed only in the third-floor indoor parking lot. Fire authorities said they understand the plant is designated as a hazardous materials site that requires indoor fire hydrants.
Under the Fire-Fighting System Installation and Management Act revised in 2021, factories with four or more floors and a floor area of 500 square meters (about 151 pyeong) or more on every floor must install sprinklers. However, the plant that caught fire this time is not subject to the current law because the building was approved for use in 1996.
Still, because this plant is a hazardous materials-approved building with 101 kilograms of sodium stacked up, which poses an explosion risk when exposed to water, analysts say it likely had fire suppression systems in place to replace sprinklers.
In fact, Gong Ha-seong, a professor in the Department of Fire and Disaster Prevention at Woosuk University, told Yonhap News, "It is difficult to install sprinklers in places such as factories that handle substances dangerous when exposed to water, where water damage is expected to be significant," adding, "Depending on the plant's situation and conditions, gas-based suppression systems may have been installed, and not only hydrants but other systems as well."
Sodium fires are classified as Class D metal fires, which are difficult to extinguish with water. The flames must be put out using dry sand, expanded vermiculite, expanded perlite, and the like.
Fire authorities said, "The sodium was stored outdoors in a different location from where the fire broke out, and we have now safely transported the sodium," adding, "We used a foam suppression agent due to potential risks."
According to fire authorities, 156 of 170 workers have been located. The whereabouts of 14 people who lost contact are being checked. Through mobile phone location tracking, fire authorities believe the missing workers are likely in the plant's second-floor break room.