Inspection targets extinguishers installed in 2016–2017 as 10-year service life nears; aging storage boxes also under review
Facility proved its worth when residents used one to contain a blaze near Daelim Jungang Market
Yeongdeungpo-gu in Seoul will conduct a comprehensive inspection of all 253 "visible fire extinguisher" units installed in fire-prone areas, including residential neighborhoods and traditional markets.
The initiative comes as dry weather raises the risk of fires in residential and commercial areas. The district aims to ensure residents can quickly respond to early-stage fires in narrow alleys where fire trucks cannot easily reach.
The inspection covers 253 units installed in 2016 and 2017, which are approaching the end of their 10-year service life. Inspection teams will visit each site to check pressure gauges and operational condition, replacing on the spot any extinguisher found to be underperforming or difficult to use.
Storage boxes will also be examined. Aged acrylic boxes will be repaired, reinforced or replaced in stages depending on inspection results, ensuring anyone can easily retrieve an extinguisher in the event of a fire. Installation locations and maintenance records will be digitized for ongoing management.
The visible fire extinguisher program places extinguishers in red cabinets at street level so anyone can spot and use them quickly. Yeongdeungpo-gu currently has 764 such units across the district.
The program demonstrated its value in 2025, when residents used one of the units to contain a fire in an alley near Daelim Jungang Market before it could spread.
Residents can find the nearest visible fire extinguisher through the Smart Seoul Map website.
"Visible fire extinguishers are a vital piece of safety infrastructure that reduces casualties and property damage in the early stages of a fire," a district official said. "Through proactive inspections and maintenance, we will create a residential environment where residents can feel safe in their daily lives."
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