Suwon Traditional Markets Establish Robust Fire Safety Network

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] A robust fire safety network has been established at 4 traditional markets in Suwon.

The city installed 'fire alert systems' at 4 traditional markets (332 shops) in the city—Motgol Market, Gucheon-dong Tool Market, Jowon Market, and Maesan Market—from July onwards, completing the project recently.

The fire alert system sounds an alarm when a fire breaks out. It then automatically notifies the Gyeonggi Province Fire and Disaster Management Headquarters, Suwon Fire Station 119 Disaster Situation Room, and Suwon City Integrated Safety Control Center of the fire situation. The system uses composite detection sensors that can detect major ignition factors such as smoke, heat, and flames early, automatically detecting and reporting the fire location and other details when a fire occurs.

Upon receiving notification, officials from the city and Suwon Fire Station will use CCTV installed at the market to confirm the occurrence of fire in real time, dispatch to the scene, and respond promptly. Merchants (shop owners) can receive automatic text message services.

With the establishment of the 'fire alert system,' more efficient disaster response is expected compared to the existing method requiring direct confirmation of the fire scene and reporting. In particular, it is hoped that initial fire suppression can be achieved when a fire occurs, and expansion to large-scale fires can be prevented.

Officials from the city, Suwon Fire Station, and Suwon South Fire Station Disaster Prevention Division visited traditional markets on the 20th to confirm the operation of the fire alert system.

The city plans to expand the fire alert system installation project for traditional markets going forward and to make further efforts in fire prevention, such as replacing outdated CCTV and installing new CCTV within traditional markets.

Shim Eon-hyung, Head of the Local Economy Division at the City, said, "Traditional markets are vulnerable areas where fires can cause significant damage due to narrow spaces between shops. With the mindset that 'prevention is the best approach to disasters,' we will work to create a safe traditional market environment."