"We are building a system that predicts and prevents risks rather than responding after problems occur by utilizing artificial intelligence (AI)," said Kim Hwa-taek, CEO of Prime Inc., during an interview with reporters at the company's headquarters in Gayang-dong, Seoul, on August 20.
Prime Inc., recognized as an outstanding company in management innovation by the Korea Management Innovation Small and Medium Enterprises Association (Mainbiz Association), was established in 2005 as a specialist in disaster prevention and safety management. The company has expanded its business from managing fire safety in buildings to specialized safety areas requiring high-level technology, such as highway tunnels and nuclear power plants. It handles 50% of fire and ventilation-related services for 270 tunnels managed by the Korea Expressway Corporation and 80% of services related to nuclear power plants.
The company's competitive edge is supported by digital technologies, including AI. Prime Inc. took the lead in adopting digital technologies, starting with the development of a smart fire safety management system in 2010. Kim noted, "The fire industry was underdeveloped, and there was no one to create the programs we wanted, so we spent about seven years developing the system ourselves."
Through a mobile application linked to this system, Prime Inc. communicates with customers in real time. In the past, if a fire alarm malfunctioned, staff had to respond on-site, but now they can check site photos and equipment information through the app to identify the cause and provide guidance on corrective actions. As a result, unnecessary emergency responses have decreased from 1,500 to about 750 annually.
Prime Inc. also developed the country's first mobile app for evaluating the performance of jet fans, which are installed in large tunnels. This allows for monitoring and managing the condition of jet fans, including maintenance history and malfunction status, without needing to visit the site.
The company's leading technology became a springboard for growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. The early establishment of a non-face-to-face smart safety management system gained attention as demand for contactless services surged, leading to a nearly threefold increase in clients. Revenue also saw significant growth, rising from 5 billion won in 2017 to 20.1 billion won in 2025, a 302% increase, while the number of employees grew from 68 to 195 during the same period. Prime Inc. has ranked first in national evaluations of fire facility management for three consecutive years starting in 2024, following top rankings in 2020 and 2021.
Looking ahead, Prime Inc. plans to further expand its safety management capabilities using AI. The company aims to integrate predictive failure systems used in power plants into building safety management to identify equipment anomalies in advance. This approach will notify building owners of potential failures and help them prepare necessary actions, such as parts replacements.
Additionally, Prime Inc. is developing an integrated safety management system that encompasses fire, electrical, elevator, and mechanical systems on a single platform. Kim stated, "We are building an AI-based system that allows users to check and respond to issues with electricity, fire safety, or elevators through one app."
With proven technology in South Korea, the company is also pursuing entry into international markets. Kim emphasized, "South Korea is at the forefront of fire safety inspections globally," and mentioned that they are considering applying their smart safety management system overseas.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.