Seoul tightens fire rules for small lodging facilities

The interior of a capsule hotel appears blackened by fire on the third floor following a blaze in Sogong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, April 14. Korea Times file

Seoul is moving to tighten oversight of capsule hotels and other small lodging facilities, unveiling a sweeping fire safety plan Thursday aimed at closing regulatory gaps that officials say could cost lives in a fast-moving blaze.

The city government said it will conduct a full inspection of 7,958 lodging facilities across Seoul, while expanding sprinkler coverage, strengthening emergency equipment requirements and building an integrated safety management system that links construction, tourism and firefighting authorities.

City officials said more than 90 percent of lodging facilities in Korea’s capital currently lack sprinklers, including many properties under 300 square meters that are not legally required to install them.

Capsule hotels and dormitory-style accommodations, which often feature tightly packed sleeping units and narrow corridors, will be designated as “priority management targets” under the new plan.

The city said it is also pushing for national legal changes that would classify such facilities as multi-use establishments, which would trigger mandatory sprinkler installation regardless of floor area.

Seoul said it would expand inspections to include emergency lighting, evacuation routes, fire alarm systems and exits, while targeting issues such as blocked escape paths and corridors.

For properties without sprinkler systems, the city will recommend alternative measures including automatic fire extinguishers, standalone smoke detectors and portable emergency lighting devices.

The government said it plans to expand installation of these devices in capsule hotels, including smoke detectors and portable extinguishers in individual sleeping pods, while also encouraging separate charging areas to reduce battery fire risks.

Seoul officials said they will also increase the share of lodging facilities subject to direct fire inspections from 10 percent to 30 percent.

The city also plans to expand penalties and rewards for reporting fire safety violations and broaden incentives such as tax reductions and insurance discounts for voluntary safety upgrades.

Kim Seong-bo, acting mayor of Seoul, said small lodging facilities are widely used by residents and tourists but remain vulnerable under current regulations.

“We will move quickly on inspections, safety upgrades and integrated management,” Kim said.

“We will also continue to push for legal reforms to ensure fire safety keeps pace with reality.”

This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.