A Study on Fire Water Runoff Retention System to Prevent Water and Soil Pollution at Hazardous Material Handling Facilities = 위험물 취급 시설의 수질·토양 오염 방지를 위한 소화 유출수 저류 시스템 도입 방안 연구

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

When fires occur at hazardous material handling facilities, fire water runoff mixed with hazardous chemicals causes water and soil contamination. Such environmental pollution can persist for extended periods, causing serious damage to ecosystems and human health. According to statistics from the Korea Chemicals Management Association, fire and explosion accidents account for approximately 14% of all chemical accidents over the past five years (2019-2023). Fire department data shows that there are 349 large-scale hazardous material manufacturing facilities and 494 storage and handling facilities exceeding 3,000 times the designated quantity, with 352 hazardous material accidents occurring over the past five years. Notably, 96.94% of all hazardous materials are Class 4 (flammable liquids), some of which can be harmful to aquatic environments, posing environmental contamination risks when discharged with fire water runoff during fires along with fire risks.
The 1986 Sandoz fire accident in Switzerland resulted in contaminated fire water runoff flowing into the Rhine River, causing direct damages of 134 million euros and destroying aquatic ecosystems along 700km downstream. In Korea, environmental contamination accidents caused by fire water runoff during major fires are frequently reported in the media, but it is difficult to determine specific damage scales. Representative cases include the 1991 Nakdong River phenol leak accident causing 21 billion won in damages and contaminating the water source for 10 million downstream residents, the 2012 Gumi hydrogen fluoride accident resulting in 55 billion won in direct damages, and the 2024 Hwaseong hazardous material storage warehouse fire that generated 70,000 tons of contaminated water and polluted 8.5km of waterways across two cities.
Current domestic regulations primarily focus on preventing routine leaks, lacking integrated management standards for environmental pollutants that may be discharged with large volumes of fire water runoff during major fires. This study aims to analyze European fire water runoff retention system operation cases and develop risk assessment methods and system design standards compatible with domestic legal frameworks to present specific policy measures for phased implementation.
This study analyzed European fire water runoff retention systems and presented new risk assessment methods suitable for domestic conditions utilizing fire difficulty grades from the Hazardous Materials Safety Management Act and MSDS standards from the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Field applicability was enhanced by limiting assessment targets to environmentally hazardous substances under hazardous material regulations. For system design, comprehensive technical elements were considered including systematic waste management, stormwater management systems incorporating rainfall contribution calculations based on Korea's 30-year frequency design standards, installation of impermeable oil barriers, and optimal design through hydraulic modeling. Additionally, standardized calculation methods for sprinkler and outdoor fire hydrant systems were presented by analyzing fire water runoff generation volumes according to facility classifications under the Hazardous Materials Safety Management Act.
Economic feasibility analysis was conducted through a scenario involving Grade II fire difficulty hazardous material manufacturing facilities, calculating fire water runoff retention capacity and installation costs. The analysis demonstrated that installation costs of approximately ₩590 million represent only 2.2% of past accident damages (Nakdong River: ₩21 billion) and less than 1% of major accident costs (Gumi accident: ₩55 billion), showing exceptional economic value. Current legal frameworks were analyzed to designate the Ministry of Environment as the lead agency for fire water runoff retention system construction, establishing an integrated management system that maintains compatibility with existing environmental regulations while cooperating with the fire department.
This study holds academic significance as the first systematic introduction plan for fire water runoff retention systems in Korea and practical value by presenting specific system standards applicable to industrial sites. The risk assessment method considering compatibility with domestic legal frameworks is expected to enhance system construction effectiveness and provide cost-effective environmental protection infrastructure.

국문 초록 (Abstract)

위험물 취급시설에서 화재가 발생할 때 유해물질과 혼합된 소화 유출수는 수질 및 토양오염을 야기한다. 이러한 환경오염은 장기간 지속되어 생태계와 인간 건강에 심각한 피해를 초래할 수 있다. 화학물질안전원 통계에 따르면 화재·폭발로 인한 화학사고는 최근 5년간(2019-2023) 전체 화학사고의 약 14%를 차지한다. 소방청 자료에 의하면 지정수량의 3,000배를 초과하는 대규모 위험물 제조시설 349개소, 저장·취급 사업장 494개소가 있으며, 최근 5년간 352건의 위험물 사고가 발생했다. 특히 전체 위험물의 96.94%가 제4류(인화성 액체)이며, 이 중 일부는 수생환경에 유해할 수 있어 화재 위험과 함께 소화 유출수 배출 시 환경오염 위험이 있다.
1986년 스위스 산도즈 화재사고는 오염된 소화 유출수가 라인강으로 유입되어 1억 3천 4백만 유로의 직접 피해와 하류 700km 구간의 수생태계 파괴를 초래했다. 국내에서도 주요 화재 시 소화 유출수로 인한 환경오염 사고가 언론에 빈번히 보고되고 있으나 구체적인 피해 규모 파악은 어려운 실정이다. 대표적 사례로는 1991년 낙동강 페놀 유출사고로 210억원의 피해와 하류 1천만 주민의 식수원 오염, 2012년 구미 불산 사고로 550억원의 직접 피해가 있었다. 특히 2024년 1월 화성 위험물 보관창고 화재에서는 유해화학물질 48톤과 위험물 264톤 등 총 361톤이 누출되어 약 7만톤의 오염수가 발생했다. 구리, 벤젠, 나프탈렌 등 수질유해물질이 기준을 2~36배 초과하고 생태독성이 16배 이상 초과하여 화성·평택 지역 8.5km 구간의 수로가 심각하게 오염되었으며, 이는 소화 유출수 저류시설의 필요성을 명확히 보여준다.
현행 국내 법규는 일상적 누출 방지에 주로 초점을 맞추고 있어, 대형 화재 시 대량의 소화 유출수와 함께 배출될 수 있는 환경오염물질에 대한 통합적 관리기준이 부족하다. 본 연구는 유럽의 소화 유출수 저류시설 운영사례를 분석하고, 국내 법체계와 호환 가능한 위험성 평가방법 및 시설 설계기준을 개발하여 단계적 도입을 위한 구체적 정책방안을 제시하고자 한다.
본 연구는 유럽의 소화 유출수 저류시설을 분석하고 위험물안전관리법의 소화난이도 등급과 산업안전보건법의 MSDS 기준을 활용한 국내 여건에 적합한 새로운 위험성 평가방법을 제시했다. 위험물 법규에 따른 위험물 중 환경유해물질로 평가 대상을 한정하여 현장 적용성을 높였다. 시설 설계를 위해 체계적 폐기물 관리, 한국의 30년 수문 설계빈도 기준에 따른 강우량 기여도 산정이 포함된 우수관리시설, 불투수성 방유제 등 종합적인 소화 유출수 누출 방지 방안을 고려했다. 또한 위험물안전관리법상 시설 분류에 따른 소화 유출수 발생량을 분석하여 스프링클러 및 옥외소화전에 대한 표준화된 산정방법을 제시했다. 소화난이도 2등급의 위험물 제조시설에 대한 시나리오를 가지고 소화 유출수 저류용량 산정과 함께 설치비용을 분석한 결과, 약 4억 6천 9백만원의 설치비용은 과거 사고 피해액(낙동강: 210억원) 대비 2.2%, 주요 사고비용(구미사고: 550억원) 대비 1% 미만, 최근 화성사고(1,000억원) 대비 0.45%에 불과하여 사전 예방투자의 경제적 가치가 입증되었다. 현행 법체계를 분석하여 환경부를 소화 유출수 저류시설 구축의 주관기관으로 제시하고, 기존 환경법규와의 호환성을 유지하면서 소방청과 협력하는 통합관리체계를 구축했다.
본 연구는 국내 최초로 소화 유출수 저류시설에 대한 체계적 도입방안을 제시한 학술적 의의와 산업현장에 적용 가능한 구체적 시설기준을 제시한 실용적 가치를 갖는다. 특히 국내 법체계와의 호환성을 고려한 위험성 평가방법은 시설 구축의 실효성을 높이고 비용 효과적인 환경보호 인프라를 제공할 것으로 기대된다.

목차 (Table of Contents)

• TABLE OF CONTENTS i
• LIST OF FIGURES iv
• LIST OF TABLES v
• ACRONYMS viii
• ABSTRACT ix
• Chapter 1. Introduction 1
• 1.1 Background and Necessity of the Study 1
• 1.2 Purpose of Study 4
• 1.3 Scope and Method of the Study 5
• Chapter 2. Current Status of Water and Soil Contamination Caused by Fire Runoff Water 6
• 2.1 Cases of Environmental Pollution Caused by Fire Runoff Water 6
• 2.1.1 Domestic Cases 6
• 2.1.2 Overseas Cases 8
• 2.1.3 Analysis of Cases of Environmental Pollution Caused by Fire Water Runoff and Implications 12
• 2.2 Impact of Fire Water Runoff on Water Quality and Soil 13
• 2.2.1 Impact on Water pollution 13
• 2.2.2 Impact on Soil Pollution 15
• 2.3 Current Status of PFOS and PFAS-based Fire Extinguishing Agents in Korea 17
• 2.4 Environmental Behavior and Ecological Impact of Fire Suppression Water by Ingredient 19
• 2.4.1 Environmental Behavior of Extinguishing Agent Ingredients 19
• 2.4.2 Environmental Behavior of Aquatic Environment Harmful Substances Handled and Stored in Industrial Facilities 20
• 2.5 Review of Hazardous Materials Handling Facilities and the Need for Fire Water Runoff Retention Systems 21
• 2.5.1 Current Status of Hazardous Materials Handling Facilities in Korea and Accident Statistics 21
• 2.5.2 Risk-based Necessity of Introducing a Fire Water Runoff Retention System 24
• Chapter 3. Analysis of Domestic and International Systems Related to Water and Soil Pollution 26
• 3.1 Current Status of Water and Soil Pollution Management Systems in Korea 26
• 3.1.1 Water Quality Management System under the Water Environment Conservation Act 26
• 3.1.2 Management System for Facilities Subject to Specific Soil Pollution Management under the Soil Environment Conservation Act 28
• 3.1.3 Technical Standards for Leakage Prevention in Chemical Storage and Handling Facilities 31
• 3.1.4 Review of the Current Water and Soil Pollution Control System and Its Limitations in Korea 33
• 3.2 Current Status of Overseas Fire Runoff Water Management System 34
• 3.2.1 Background of System Introduction (Sandoz Incident and EU Response) 34
• 3.2.2 Current Status of Fire Runoff Water Management System in Major Countries (Germany, Ireland, Switzerland, etc.) 35
• 3.2.3 Emergency response system to prevent fire runoff water pollution 36
• 3.2.4 UNECE Prevention of Fire Runoff Water Spills Main Contents 38
• 3.2.5 EU Environmental Management System Corresponding to the Domestic Water and Soil Pollution Management System 42
• 3.2.6 Review of Overseas Fire Runoff Water Management Systems and Limitations 44
• 3.3 Comparison of Domestic and European Systems for Fire Runoff Water Management and Implications 45
• Chapter 4. Introduction and Application of Fire water Runoff Retention System 51
• 4.1 Fire water runoff retention System Risk Assessment Framework 51
• 4.1.1 Requirements for Fire Water Runoff Retention Facilities and Risk Assessment Methodology 52
• 4.1.2 Fire Water Runoff Risk Assessment Criteria Suitable for Domestic Conditions 56
• 4.1.3 Evaluation Method Proposed for Domestic Implementation 60
• 4.1.4 Detailed Guidelines for Assessing the Severity of Fire Incidents 61
• 4.2 Management of Substances Hazardous to Aquatic Environments and Selection of Target Facilities 63
• 4.2.1 Classification and Management Standards for Substances Harmful to the Aquatic Environment 64
• 4.2.2 Representative Substances with Aquatic Environmental Hazards Among Hazardous Materials and Site Zone Designation 67
• 4.3 Design and Operation Plan for Fire Water Runoff Retention System 70
• 4.4 Strategy and Economic Feasibility Analysis for Fire Water Runoff Retention System Implementation 86
• 4.4.1 Anticipated Implementation Challenges and Solutions 87
• 4.4.2 Economic Analysis of the Fire Water Runoff Retention System 88
• 4.4.3 Investment Cost Analysis 89
• 4.5 Legal Framework and Management System for Fire Water Runoff Retention Facility Implementation 91
• 4.5.1 Current Status of Related Laws and Competent Authorities 91
• 4.5.2 Evaluation of Ministry of Environment Leadership Rationale 93
• 4.5.3 Inter-agency Cooperation Framework and Operational Plans 93
• Chapter 5. Conclusion and Policy Recommendations 95
• 5.1 Conclusion 95
• 5.2 Policy Recommendations 97
• 5.3 Future Research 99
• REFERENCES 101
• APPENDIX 105
• Appendix A. Fire Difficulty Rating - Hazardous Materials Safety Management Act Enforcement Rule [Table 17] 105
• Appendix B. Specific Water Pollutants - Water Environment Conservation Act Enforcement Rules [Table 3] 109
• Appendix C. Ireland EPA Fire Incident Severity Assessment Criteria 110
• ABSTRACT IN KOREAN 114