▲Professor Kim Pil-su, Department of Future Automobile Engineering, Daerim University


Improvements to the mandatory requirement for fire extinguishers in automobiles scheduled for 2024

Focus on delaying the spread of fire… Small, high-performance fire extinguishers located within the occupants’ field of vision are suitable
Different methods of dealing with fires in internal combustion engines and electric vehicles… Repeated training is required to enable active response

Over the course of over 130 years, automobiles have grown into an important everyday necessity that allows us to move quickly and safely.

As the popularization of electric vehicles has become more active recently and we are going through a confusing time, follow-up measures are becoming more important.

Of course, over the long period of time, various safety devices have been installed mandatorily to enhance the safety of automobiles, and clear policies have been established to reduce casualties from various accidents.

The unexpected accidents that occur while riding and moving in automobiles and the unfortunate loss of life caused by these accidents are raising awareness throughout the industry.

Since it is more certain to take preventive measures before an accident than after it, integrated safety measures that consider both before and after an accident are important.

Among these, car fireis one of the elements that must be mentioned.

Since car fires occur at a certain rate and their causes are diverse, the key is to find ways to reduce casualties in any situation.

Since the methods of responding to fires in conventional internal combustion engine vehicles and electric vehicles are different, it is important to take emergency measures according to the vehicle type.

There are currently about 25.5 million cars registered in the country, of which about 570,000 are electric vehicles.

The number of automobile fires occurring annually is approximately 4,500 to 5,000, including construction equipment fires, which is about 12 per day.

One of the recent trends that is concerning is the increasing number of electric vehicle fires occurring in electric vehicles that are not yet widely distributed.

Unlike fires in internal combustion engine vehicles, electric vehicle fires are characterized by high temperatures and rapid spread centered around the battery, so increasing the golden time for passenger safety is an important factor.

At the same time, the problem of increasing fear and spreading negative views due to one or two electric vehicle fires clearly needs to be improved.

Recently, awareness of automobile fires in Korea is very low.

Active extinguishing efforts in the event of a car fire are very low.

This is a far cry from the advanced countries where, when a car fire breaks out, everyone in the surrounding cars grabs a fire extinguisher and helps put it out.

Most people don't even know if they have a fire extinguisher in their car.

Currently, in domestic vehicles with 7 or more seats, a fire extinguisher is required to be installed in the trunk and used, but as mentioned earlier, many people are not aware of it, and even if they are aware of it, they do not maintain it, which is expected to affect the lifespan of the fire extinguisher.It's inda.

Of course, it is necessary to install a fire extinguisher, and it is also necessary to have repeated training on how to use it actively in case of a car fire, etc.

About five years ago, there was a meeting held by government agencies including the National Human Rights Commission, where there was a consensus on the necessity of mandatorily installing fire extinguishers in all cars.

In particular, I always emphasize the mandatory implementation of emergency equipment for automobiles.

Emergency supplies include a car window-breaking hammer, safety triangle, luminous vest, and fire extinguisher, and all of these items can be said to be directly related to life.

In particular, since fire extinguishers can break out in vehicles at any time, their utility should be increased by making it mandatory to install them.

At the time, several bills had been proposed in the National Assembly, but rather than rigid and specialized bills, abstract bills were in progress.

All cars will be required to have fire extinguishers from December 2024, as one of several options is finalised.

On the surface it may seem like a good decision, but if you look inside, you can see that it is a serious situation.

First of all, the ABC fire extinguishers we use in our daily lives are large and difficult to manage.

Although it means good effect and low price, it is not realistic to place a large fire extinguisher in a moving vehicle.

It is understandable that vehicles with 7 or more seats are required to have fire extinguishers installed in the trunks as they have more space, but this means that there is a lack of flexibility when it comes to installing them in private cars.

A fire extinguisher for a car is a fire extinguisher that is installed directly in the car and is used in the event of a fire. Rather than extinguishing the fire, the main purpose is to delay the spread of the fire, increase the golden time, and find time for the 119 fire department to arrive and extinguish the fire.

Therefore, rather than using the existing heavy and bulky fire extinguishers, it would be wisest to certify recently developed portable fire extinguishers with excellent fire extinguishing functions and place them in a location where drivers can easily pull them out by hand indoors.

In the various meetings I mentioned earlier, it is understandable that the Fire Department and others insisted on using only the existing ABC fire extinguishers, but considering overseas cases, it is judged that a certification basis that allows for the diverse use of small, high-performance fire extinguishers is necessary.

As mandatory installation is set to begin in December 2024, companies that previously manufactured ABC fire extinguishers are required to reduce the negative effects of monopoly by exclusively supplying large quantities, and provide consumers and manufacturers with more freedom to choose through a variety of product lines.

In the case of some importers, there are even bold claims that the fire extinguishers installed under the driver's seat should be removed and instructions should be posted in the trunk and a large ABC fire extinguisher installed to comply with the new domestic regulations.

In Europe, a system has already been established where these compact, high-performance fire extinguishers are installed under the driver's seat, etc., so that they are always readily available, and of course, they have also been certified.

In a situation where we already have a Korea-Europe FTA, we need a big picture that allows us to use both imported and domestic cars through joint certification, as Europe is faster than us.

As mentioned earlier, if a large fire extinguisher is installed in the trunk rather than the driver's seat, it could become a vicious system that is worse than not having one at all, as it reduces efficiency and golden time.

Also for vehiclesRepeated education and promotion that can always use firearms are also important roles, and repeated education, promotion, and campaigns that we always lack can also be considered important duties.

I hope that it will overcome the desk-bound administrative system and become established as a safety regulation that can be properly utilized in the field.

The key is to be reborn with proper regulations through expert advice, and I hope that it will be revised and properly established even now.