Water barrier created by sprinklers (R) at the restroom’s entrance, with the ventilation system (L) that pressurizes the air in the room, prevents fire and smoke from entering into the area. (image: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport)
SEJONG, Feb. 27 (Korea Bizwire) – Among this month’s three “new architectural technologies” chosen by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport was a restroom design that can function as a shelter in case of fire.
In the new design, a water barrier is created at the restroom’s entrance by sprinklers during an emergency, preventing the door from catching fire. Together with a ventilation system that pressurizes the air within the restroom, the design prevents fire and smoke from entering into the area, safeguarding the victims until a rescue team arrives.
According to officials, the design could be used in apartment complexes and other residential buildings, which do not always provide a clear, easy path to evacuation shelters, and will benefit mostly children, the elderly, and the disabled – bringing down the number of casualities in fire disasters.
The design was selected as the 809th “new technology,” an initiative which the ministry established in 1989 to promote the use of innovative ideas in the architectural sector and encourage private investment.
By Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
