Hwaseong Develops 'Fire Risk Map' Across City…Fires Concentrate in Sprinkler Blind Spots

Hwaseong Special City has created a 'fire risk map' based on data including sprinkler blind spots and fire prevention facility distribution.

The map is designed to preemptively diagnose fire risks through GIS spatial analysis regarding quantitative evidence on fire risk factors, and to establish a data-driven fire management system centered on preventive measures rather than post-response actions.

On the 28th, Hwaseong Special City held an interim report meeting on 'Data-Based Customized Fire Prevention Measures for Hwaseong Special City' at the Hwaseong City Research Institute, attended by officials from the city, Hwaseong Fire Department, and Hwaseong City Research Institute.

The research, conducted collaboratively by the city and Hwaseong Research Institute, divided the entire Hwaseong city into grids of 500m×500m in size, calculated fire risk scores for each grid, and displayed them on a map. This method is the first of its kind nationwide.

The analysis utilized key factors related to fire risks. Major factors include ▲buildings in blind spots where sprinkler installation status could not be identified because permits were issued before strengthened installation standards ▲small-scale buildings excluded from mandatory automatic fire suppression system installation requirements ▲piloti-structured buildings with open designs that pose risks of fire spreading to upper floors.

According to the survey results, 55.6% of fires were concentrated in the top 20% grid with the highest fire risk. In particular, 'sprinkler blind spot' buildings were found to number 741 throughout the city. Areas with such buildings were concentrated 94% in the top 20% grid, and the number of fires in blind spot areas was more than five times higher than the average fire count in grids without blind spots.

Based on this research, the city plans to establish fire prevention policies. The direction includes reflecting priority in fire inspections for high-risk areas, reviewing designation of 'fire prevention reinforcement zones' (if necessary), and conducting comprehensive surveys of sprinkler blind spots.

Responsive measures under discussion include ordinance and regulation improvements for supporting sprinkler installation costs in blind spot buildings, promotion of basic fire prevention facilities for buildings with floor areas of 600㎡ or less and piloti buildings, and establishment of a fire response system utilizing drones.

Hwaseong Special City Mayor Jeong Myeong-geun stated, "Through this research, we can now accurately identify which buildings and alleys are actually at risk," adding, "We will meticulously inspect high-risk areas first and implement practical measures such as sprinkler support so that citizens can live with peace of mind."