42 violations found at Seoul warehouses after Incheon Coupang fire

Some large warehouses in Seoul have been found neglecting fire safety — failing to maintain sprinkler systems and stacking goods beneath automatic fire shutters, among other violations. The findings came from an investigation the Seoul Metropolitan Government launched to prevent fires and strengthen safety management at large warehouse facilities across the city, prompted by last month's fire at a Coupang Inc. logistics center in Incheon.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government's Fire and Disaster Headquarters said an emergency fire safety inspection of 37 large warehouse facilities in the city from July 22 to July 31 uncovered 42 violations at four of the sites.

A total of 93 inspectors were deployed for the probe, including fire safety investigators attached to local fire stations and specialists in fire safety, architecture and electrical systems. The 37 facilities were classified under the fire safety management system as follows: one special-grade facility (total floor area of 100,000 square meters or more), six first-grade facilities (total floor area of 15,000 square meters or more), and 30 second-grade facilities (required to have indoor fire hydrants or sprinkler systems installed).

Inspectors focused on three main areas: the installation and maintenance of fire suppression equipment; the proper management of fire doors, automatic fire shutters and other evacuation and fire-containment systems; and compliance with fire safety management obligations, including the preparation and implementation of fire safety plans and supervision of open-flame work.

The 42 violations at four facilities included sites where sprinkler heads were not functioning properly — posing a risk of inadequate water discharge in a fire — facilities lacking appropriate fire extinguishers that could allow a blaze to spread rapidly, and warehouses where obstacles had been stacked beneath automatic fire shutters, significantly increasing the risk of fire spreading.

Inspectors also found cases where fire detectors had come loose and emergency exit guide lights were not illuminating properly. The Seoul Metropolitan Government issued fines and corrective orders to the facilities found to be in violation.

Alongside the safety inspections, the headquarters provided fire safety consulting to warehouse facility managers. Guidance covered initial fire suppression upon outbreak, evacuation procedures and early response methods, the organization and operation of an initial response system with individual duties assigned to private fire brigade members, and improvements to the visibility of guide lights and emergency exits for swift evacuation.

For high-priority sites — particularly Seoul Complex Logistics, which is designated and managed as a fire prevention reinforcement zone — fire station chiefs visited in person to conduct fire safety consultations.

"Large warehouse facilities carry the risk of mass casualties if a fire breaks out, so we will continue to eliminate blind spots in fire safety through ongoing guidance and oversight," said Hong Yeong-geun, head of the headquarters. "We especially ask that high-risk goods be handled and stored in appropriate spaces, and that fire prevention efforts be made with the utmost care, including the establishment of safety management plans."