Measures to strengthen fire safety in aging homes — smoke detectors extended to ordinary households, nationwide by 2028
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
In its “Measures to Strengthen Fire Safety Management in Aging Homes” announced on September 22, 2026, the government said it will extend distribution of stand-alone smoke detectors (단독경보형 연기감지기) from fire-vulnerable households to ordinary households. 72% of deaths in residential fires are caused by suffocation from smoke inhalation. A stand-alone smoke detector costs KRW 8,000 each, is easy to install and sounds an 85-decibel alarm. The government plans to run a distribution pilot in Naju and Gurye, South Jeolla Province, in October 2026, then expand to the metropolitan level in 2027 and nationwide in 2028. It is also consulting with Nonghyup (농협) so that smoke detectors and other fire-fighting supplies can be bought at Hanaro Mart (하나로마트) stores nationwide from 2027. For aging apartment buildings without sprinklers, distribution of automatic fire extinguishers (자동확산소화기), which cost about KRW 30,000 each, will be expanded. After a 2026 pilot for 39,000 households in Seoul and distribution linked with local governments in 2027, the plan is to expand nationwide with national funding from 2028. In addition, from 2027 aging apartment buildings without sprinklers will be subject to mandatory electrical safety inspections, and a “resident-requested fire safety inspection system” (화재안전점검 주민신청제도) will be piloted in Jeju and Incheon in 2027.
Key facts
| Announced | September 22, 2026, joint inter-ministerial (coordinated by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety) |
|---|---|
| Smoke detector target | About 8.97 million households — 4.53 million fire-vulnerable households + 4.44 million ordinary households |
| Smoke detector expansion schedule | Pilot in Naju and Gurye, South Jeolla Province, in October 2026 → metropolitan level in 2027 → nationwide in 2028 |
| Smoke detector price | KRW 8,000 each, 85-decibel alarm |
| Automatic fire extinguishers | About KRW 30,000 each — 2026 pilot for 39,000 households in Seoul, nationwide expansion with national funding from 2028 |
| Electrical safety inspections | From 2027, aging apartment buildings without sprinklers become subject to mandatory inspections |
| Gas timer valves | Continued support for about 14,000 fire-vulnerable households per year |
| Resident-requested fire safety inspections | Pilot in Jeju and Incheon in 2027 |
| Inquiries | Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Land and Industrial Disaster Response Division (국토산업재난대응과) 044-205-6336 |
Last checked:
On September 22, 2026, the government announced joint inter-ministerial “Measures to Strengthen Fire Safety Management in Aging Homes” (노후주택 화재안전 관리 강화 대책). Of about 8.97 million households that need smoke detectors because they lack sprinklers and similar systems, support will extend beyond the 4.53 million fire-vulnerable households to the remaining 4.44 million ordinary households, with a pilot project in Naju and Gurye, South Jeolla Province (전남 나주·구례), in October 2026, followed by expansion to the metropolitan level in 2027 and nationwide in 2028. From 2027, aging apartment buildings without sprinklers will be subject to mandatory electrical safety inspections, and distribution of automatic fire extinguishers is planned to expand nationwide with national funding from 2028.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
Why are smoke detectors needed?
72% of deaths in residential fires are caused by suffocation from smoke inhalation rather than by flames. A stand-alone smoke detector detects smoke in the early stage of a fire and sounds an 85-decibel alarm.
Will ordinary households also get support for smoke detectors?
In addition to the 4.53 million fire-vulnerable households supported by the National Fire Agency (소방청), the government will strengthen its support system so that distribution extends to the remaining 4.44 million ordinary households. After a pilot in Naju and Gurye, South Jeolla Province, in October 2026, it plans to expand to the metropolitan level in 2027 and nationwide in 2028.
What is an automatic fire extinguisher?
It is a device that automatically sprays extinguishing agent when a fire breaks out, costing about KRW 30,000 each. Distribution will be expanded to aging apartment buildings without sprinklers, with nationwide expansion planned with national funding from 2028.