Logistics Center Storage Structure Makes It Hard to Prevent Fire Spread, Safety Measures Needed

The fire at the Incheon Coupang logistics center has once again brought the structural fire risks of logistics centers into the spotlight. According to the article, the wide open layout, high ceilings, and storage methods such as threetier shelving make flames spread quickly and make initial suppression difficult. The fires at the Icheon Coupang logistics center and the Cheonan ELand logistics center in the past also took several days to fully extinguish, and most of the stored items inside were burned as well. Fire experts point out that in structures where combustible materials are stacked together, entry itself is not easy, so if the initial response fails, it is difficult to completely stop the fire. There are also concerns at the site that basic safety equipment such as sprinklers and fire compartments is often insufficient. Accordingly, calls are growing for a special law that would clearly define storage standards and fireproof zone settings for logistics centers and require hazardous materials to be stored separately.