Gyeonggi Province Fire Department Intensifies Crackdown on Emergency Exit Closures Through the 26th

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] The Gyeonggi Province Fire and Disaster Management Headquarters announced on the 15th that it will conduct intensive crackdowns on violations including emergency exit closures and damage, and blockade of fire-fighting equipment through the 26th.

During this period, the provincial fire and disaster management headquarters plans to focus on facilities at risk of loss of life, including large discount stores, department stores, railway stations, and passenger terminals, concentrating on ▲emergency exit closures (including locks) and damage ▲placement of objects around evacuation facilities ▲fire pump shutdowns and neglected malfunctions and other blockades of fire-fighting equipment.

A total of 40 inspection teams comprising 110 personnel from fire safety patrol teams at each fire station will be deployed in this crackdown. In the event of violations, fines or administrative penalties will be imposed in accordance with fire safety laws.

Choi Moon-seok, head of the Fire Special Investigation Team at the Gyeonggi Province Fire and Disaster Management Headquarters, said, "We will continue with repeated surprise inspections until the safety awareness of related parties improves," and added, "Since securing emergency exits and the operation of fire-fighting equipment are directly linked to public safety, we ask for the voluntary cooperation of business owners and related personnel."