FireKimES has developed an automatic fire extinguishing system that releases more than 90% of extinguishing agents immediately upon the occurrence of a fire, aiding in early suppression. Based on the management philosophy of "creating products that save lives," the company has conducted research and development in the fire safety field for many years, securing 25 domestic and international patents related to automatic fire extinguishing systems. CEO Kim Byung-yeol of FireKimES, who aims to achieve a corporate value of KRW 1 trillion by 2027 and grow into a unicorn company in the global disaster safety sector, was met at the Cheongju business site.


Development of a Responsive Plastic-Based Automatic Fire Extinguishing System with Proprietary Technology…Building a Customized Product Lineup

CEO Kim Byung-yeol, who accumulated extensive experience in a plastic materials company, founded FireKimES with the determination to address social issues using his manufacturing-based experience.

CEO Kim Byung-yeol recalled, “In 2014, while working at a plastic materials company, a tragic fire at a nursing hospital in Jangseong-gun, Jeollanam-do resulted in 21 deaths. The incident was devastating as elderly patients with mobility difficulties could not evacuate. It was shocking and heartbreaking to see a fire starting in a small space lead to significant casualties. The most frightening aspect of a fire is the lack of initial response. A few minutes before the fire truck arrives can determine life or death, and I thought technology was needed to withstand that time. After searching through the Korea Intellectual Property Office’s KIPRIS for days, I found no related technology. Eventually, I decided to create it myself and started the business.”


CEO Kim Byung-yeol focused on responsive plastic materials that react sensitively to temperature changes. Responsive plastics that deform and dissolve at certain temperatures served as the core foundation for an automatic fire extinguishing system that automatically releases extinguishing agents even during a power outage.

CEO Kim Byung-yeol stated, “During product development, we conducted countless fire suppression experiments in our explosion-proof test lab within our R&D center for eight years, verifying performance independently. Particularly for battery fire suppression technology, we conducted numerous simulations and ignition experiments for each battery cell type, accumulating extensive data. We also collaborated with battery manufacturers to test in real environments. Despite developing a high-quality product after years of research and development, another challenge awaited: obtaining certification from the Korea Fire Institute (KFI).”



He continued, “Products related to fire facilities installed in buildings must obtain KFI certification. The stick-type automatic fire extinguisher made from responsive plastic material was an innovative product not previously available in the market. Therefore, it was challenging to determine the criteria and methods for evaluation. After nearly a year of testing and proving product performance in various ways, we were able to obtain KFI certification. I still cannot forget that day.”

Following KFI certification, FireKimES also acquired the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's disaster safety product certification, allowing them to widely promote the utility of their technology.


FireKimES's automatic fire extinguishing systems include ▲ the 'Stick' series for small spaces ▲ 'Stick Sensor+' with real-time fire monitoring capabilities ▲ 'Red Block' for medium to large spaces ▲ and the battery fire-specific extinguishing system (ANT). These systems can be installed in fire-prone areas such as electrical rooms, battery rooms, and hospital wards, tailored to the size of the space.

FireKimES's stick-type extinguisher suppressing a fire early

CEO Kim Byung-yeol explained, “The automatic extinguisher stick operates on the principle of detecting temperature automatically and releasing more than 90% of the internal extinguishing agent instantly in spaces where the internal temperature rises to 100-110 degrees due to a fire. It spreads the extinguishing agent throughout the protected area, displacing air and removing heat through smothering and cooling extinguishing simultaneously. It can operate without a separate power supply or sensors, making it functional even during power outages. During the nursing hospital fire, the ignition point was a small distribution panel. The product was designed in a compact stick form to be easily installed in small spaces like distribution panels.”


He continued, “To cover medium to large spaces, we also developed Stick Sensor+ and Red Block. Stick Sensor+ can monitor real-time abnormal signals by detecting changes in smoke concentration, temperatures above a certain level, and leakage of extinguishing agents in the installed environment. Red Block is suitable for transformers, ESS rooms, ships, large drones, UPS, and power plants. All our products use clean extinguishing agents, leaving no residue after suppression, allowing for quick resumption of equipment operation. The use of clean extinguishing agents allows for suppression without secondary damage, making it suitable for sensitive electronic facilities like data centers and distribution panels.”


Recognized for such innovation, FireKimES received the Minister of the Interior and Safety Award at the 2017 Korea Safety Awards, and each product has been selected as an innovative and excellent product by the Public Procurement Service, being supplied to public institutions like government offices. Products are also supplied to major domestic companies such as Hyundai Motor, Doosan Group, and SK Group.

FireKimES “Next-Generation Battery Fire-Specific Extinguishing System for Electric Vehicles and ESS to be Released Next Year”

FireKimES is accelerating preparations for the release of a next-generation extinguishing system to be applied to electric vehicles and energy storage systems (ESS) in collaboration with battery manufacturers and electric vehicle suppliers.

CEO Kim Byung-yeol stated, “Electric vehicle battery cells are encased in packs, making it difficult to suppress fires by spraying water from the outside. Meanwhile, the fire spreads, leading to significant damage. To solve this social issue, we embarked on ‘battery extinguishing system development’ based on a small and medium-sized enterprise technology development project in January 2017. Through years of collaboration with battery and electric vehicle manufacturers, we have consistently advanced our proprietary technology. As a result, we were able to implement a next-generation battery fire-specific extinguishing system with a structure covering the entire battery cell with a fire-responsive capsule.”


He continued, “There are several companies interested in the battery fire-specific extinguishing system, including the largest electric vehicle manufacturer in North America and the largest automobile manufacturer in Korea. After conducting various tests, they were satisfied with the performance and offered contracts. Not content with these achievements, we have prioritized obtaining international certifications to aggressively target overseas markets. We are in the process of obtaining the notoriously rigorous UL certification in the United States and CE certification in Europe, and we expect to receive results soon.”

Finally, the goals set by FireKimES were discussed.

CEO Kim Byung-yeol stated, “We are conducting continuous research and development and testing to enhance the completeness of the battery fire-specific extinguishing system, with plans to launch the product in the market by the first half of 2026. Through this, we aim to establish a foothold for entry into overseas markets where the electric vehicle, mobility, and ESS industries are developed, as well as domestically. As soon as the UL certification in the United States is completed, we will push for entry into the North American market and expand our global sales network sequentially by securing additional certifications such as the European CE certification. We will actively seek partnerships in the smart city and data center markets of major Asian countries.”


He continued, “We will boldly invest in expanding production infrastructure and recruiting outstanding talent to respond to increasing demand and support ongoing R&D. We will also strengthen ESG management, actively participating in clean extinguishing technology development and social contribution activities to enhance corporate value. By realizing these plans, we aim to leap forward as a global leader in the disaster safety technology field. We have declared our goal of achieving a corporate value of over KRW 1 trillion by 2027 and becoming a unicorn company both internally and externally. We will steadily work towards this goal every day. Ultimately, we promise to uphold our corporate philosophy of ‘creating products that save lives’ and elevate the status of Korean firefighting technology to a higher level.”

IT Donga Reporter Kim Dong-jin (kdj@itdonga.com)

Popular News