South Gyeongsang Province is offering free safety inspections for aging small buildings and facilities that do not fall under mandatory periodic checks, a gap that leaves many older properties without a clear path to professional evaluation.
The province highlighted one case in Changwon involving a detached house built in 1994. During a detailed inspection, the team found a crack in a beam above the first floor. Inspectors said the damage stemmed from the unauthorized removal of a masonry wall on the lower level. They also found the masonry wall on the second floor had sagged, with a gap that kept widening. The team recommended repairs based on the home’s condition, including crack repair, reinforcement of beams and columns, and strengthening work where reinforcing steel was exposed.
The free inspections are part of a program called Safe Gyeongnam 365. Under the program, private-sector experts visit sites for residents who face financial burdens or lack information about how to obtain a safety assessment. Eligible properties include small residential buildings such as detached houses and multi-unit homes completed at least 30 years ago. The program also covers stone walls and retaining walls that are no more than 5 meters high and less than 100 meters long, plus bridges shorter than 20 meters. Facilities already subject to mandatory inspections under the Special Act on the Safety Control of Public Structures and other laws are excluded, along with facilities involved in disputes.
For mason contractors and repair crews, the program’s inspection scope reads like a jobsite punch list for aging masonry-related assets. Inspectors check for cracks and deformation in major structural elements, including load-bearing walls, columns, and beams.
They also look for tilting in retaining walls and stone walls, drainage channel blockages, and building system risks tied to electrical, mechanical, and gas installations.
When inspectors identify risks, officials provide repair and maintenance guidance, and cases needing deeper review are referred to safety assessment agencies for a detailed diagnosis.
Read the full, original article from Seoul Economic Daily here.