The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is set to rationalize the fire compartment standards for piping spaces in semiconductor plants and establish quality recognition criteria for new building materials.
Starting from July 15 until August 24, the ministry will announce legislative proposals for amendments to the 'Enforcement Decree of the Building Act' and the 'Regulations on Standards for Evacuation and Fire Safety Structures of Buildings.'
The proposed amendments aim to reasonably improve building regulations by reflecting the conditions of industrial sites and the trends in new technology development, while also addressing shortcomings identified during the current system's operation.
Specifically, the regulations will ease the obligation to install fire compartments between floors when piping spaces in semiconductor plants are separated from other areas and sprinklers are installed following expert review.
Semiconductor plants often require the addition or relocation of piping due to changes in manufacturing processes. Previously, this necessitated the demolition and reconstruction of concrete fire compartments each time piping was modified, placing a significant burden on operations.
The ministry believes that allowing the omission of floor fire compartments when equivalent fire safety performance, such as sprinklers, is ensured will reduce operational difficulties while maintaining fire safety.
Additionally, the criteria for quality recognition of new building materials will be expanded. Previously, only fire-resistant structures were eligible for new product quality recognition, but the criteria will now also apply to fire doors, fire shutters, fire-resistant filling structures, and composite materials.
The installation standards for composite fire shutters will also be clarified. When installing composite fire shutters that include fire doors, there will be no need to install additional fire doors, as the standards will be revised. The requirement to include the birth dates of manufacturers, distributors, and constructors in quality management forms will also be removed.
Given the short replacement and expansion cycles of semiconductor production facilities, rationalizing regulations based on safety performance can impact the speed of investment in advanced industries and operational efficiency.
Jeong Seung-soo, head of the Building Safety Division at the Ministry of Land, stated, “This amendment reflects changes in industrial sites and new technologies in a reasonable manner while ensuring fire safety in buildings. We will continue to prioritize public safety while actively incorporating the voices of the industrial sector.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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