Descending life line

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How to use a descending life line

A descending life line (DLL), also known by wangang-gi (Korean: 완강기), kankōki (Japanese: 緩降機), or huǎn jiàng qì (Chinese: 缓降器), is a type of emergency descent device installed in mid-rise buildings across East Asia, intended for use when conventional evacuation routes are blocked. Like auto belays used in rock climbing, it slowly lowers the user to the ground with their own weight. Some types are single-use only while others can be used multiple times. DLLs are usually installed near windows or balconies.

Usage

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  1. Hook the apparatus to the designated anchor (may be a re-enforced ring or a specialized arm)
  2. Tighten the nut to secure the hook
  3. Extend the arm outside the window (if it exists).
  4. Throw the spool outside the window.
  5. Equip the belt at shoulder height, tucking it under the armpits.
  6. Fasten the safety ring by pulling it towards the torso.
  7. Descend while pushing against the wall with outstretched arms.[1]

Name

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English translations of the name of the device differ between languages.

Name comparison between languages
Language Native script Transliteration English name
Korean 완강기 wangang-gi descending life line
Japanese 緩降機 kankōki descent device
Mandarin Traditional: 緩降機

Simplified: 缓降器

huǎn jiàng qì lifesaving elevator,

escape sling

History

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South Korea

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1976 design of descending life lines (완강기)

DLLs have been recognized as an "evacuation device" (피난기구) in law since at least 1968, making them an acceptable choice for fulfilling fire code requirements.[2]

삼하흥업 was a former producer of descending life lines. Its 1976 design featured a "50mm wide, 3mm thick belt attached to both ends of the rope" that "can be adjusted with a ring to fit the user's chest size," with the ability to attach a pouch.[3]

By 1984, regulations required hotels to have a simple DLLs installed on floors 6 through 10.[4] These laws were further strengthened in 2004 and 2006.[5][6] In 2012, DLL weight capacity requirement was upgraded from 1000N (~100kg) to 1500N (~150kg) [7]

As of 2024, generally speaking, floors from 3 to 11 of most buildings must have a DLL, with additional requirements based on floor area and use. In particular, each room of hotels and lodgings must be equipped with one regular DLL or two or more single-use DLLs[8] In some situations, life lines are optional, and can be replaced with other types of evacuation devices. Its installation and maintenance are governed by 피난기구의 화재안전성능기준 (NFPC 301) and 피난기구의 화재안전기술기준(NFTC 301).

Since the amendment of the Enforcement Decree of the Fire Services Act by Presidential Decree No. 15485 (소방법시행령) on September 27, 1997, any new DLL models must be approved by designated authorities such as Korea Fire Institute[9] to be installed in buildings. Later, with the amendment of the Enforcement Decree of the Act on Installation, Maintenance, and Safety Control of Fire-Fighting Systems by Presidential Decree No. 19128 (소방시설 설치유지 및 안전관리에 관한 법률 시행령) on November 11, 2005, the term was revised to include DLL supports. The decree was amended again by Presidential Decree No. 23571 on January 31, 2012, to explicitly include single-use DLLs.[10]

Japan

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In Japan, all DLL models must be approved by Japan Fire Equipment Inspection Institute, after which they will be labelled with an identification number. Installation and maintenance are governed by the laws 緩降機の技術上の規格を定める省令, 消防法, and 消防法施行令.[11]

Issues

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Many DLLs are poorly maintained.[5][12] A 2007 study found that out of 300 DLLs surveyed, 34% were placed near a hard-to-break unopenable windows, 24% lacked instruction manuals, 20% were placed in wrong locations, and another 20% were damaged. It recommended that unopenable windows be less than 6mm thick.[13]

Many DLLs are also placed in hard-to-spot locations.[14] A 2018 poll of 307 Sejong and Daejeon residents showed that ~80% never had used a descending life line, and ~60% did not know whether a life line existed in their workplace or school, with similar percentage for their home.[15]

DLLs are difficult to use for older people.[16] There have incidents in which improper operation caused users to fall to death.[17]

Many older apartments still lack DLLs due to grandfather clauses in fire code.[18]

Development of new designs are ongoing, improving on usability and safety.[19]

References

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  1. ^ "완강기 사용법". 경기도소방재난본부 (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  2. ^ Enforcement Decree of the Fire Services Act (Presidential Decree). Government of the Republic of Korea. 1968-01-15. Presidential Decree No. 3345 (full revision).
  3. ^ "완항기". 매일경제 (in Korean). 1976-12-23. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  4. ^ "호텔 2~5층에「피난 밧줄」". Chosun Ilbo. 1984-06-20. p. 11.
  5. ^ a b ""에어매트보다 안전한 완강기"라면서… 1999년산, 뽑히는 지지대 '관리 엉망'". 한국일보 (in Korean). 2024-08-27. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  6. ^ "비상시 완강기 있어도 사용법 모르면 `무용지물`". 매일경제 (in Korean). 2017-06-20. Retrieved 2025-11-25.
  7. ^ Bae, La-Sim; Oh, Ryun-Seok; Choi, Jun-Ho (2023-03-31). "Evaluation of Evacuation Time for Each Evacuation Equipment in Neighborhood Facilities: Focused on Descending Lifeline and Elevating Equipment for Evacuation". International Journal of Fire Science and Engineering. 37 (1): 32–44. doi:10.7731/KIFSE.e6d7eca7. ISSN 2950-8991.
  8. ^ 소방시설 설치기준 개정연혁 및 자체점검 관련 법령집. 한국소방시설관리협회. 2024. pp. 133–137.
  9. ^ "Test". www.kfi.or.kr. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
  10. ^ 2022 법령해석 사례집 (하) [2022 Legal Interpretation Case Studies]. Vol. 2. Ministry of Government Legislation. 2022.
  11. ^ http://www.jfeii.or.jp/pdf/lecture/13.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  12. ^ 뉴시스 (2025-04-25). ""뛰어내릴 수 밖에"…구축아파트 화재 '완강기' 없어". 뉴시스 (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-11-25.
  13. ^ 최, 용혁; 박, 성진; 김, 태구; 김, 광일 (2008-03-31). "완강기의 설치 실태 분석 및 개선에 관한 연구" [A Study on Analysis of Installation on the Actual State and Improvement about a Descending Life Line]. 한국화재소방학회논문지 (in Korean). 22 (1). 한국화재소방학회: 105–114. eISSN 2765-088X. ISSN 2765-060X – via KoreaScience.
  14. ^ 김지은 (2024-08-26). "꼭꼭 숨은 완강기…찾아내도 "이거 어떻게 써요?"[르포]". 머니투데이 (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-11-26.
  15. ^ 이원주; 이창섭 (April 2018). "소방용 완강기에 대한 학습자의 인식 조사 연구". 한국화재소방학회논문지 (in Korean). 32 (2): 73–81. doi:10.7731/kifse.2018.32.2.073. ISSN 1738-7167.
  16. ^ 이, 성우 (2021). "노약자안전을 위한 소방용 완강기의 구조개선에 관한 연구" [A Study on Structural Improvement of Fire Evacuation Descenders for the Safety of the Elderly and Weak]. 안전문화연구 (in Korean) (12): 75–86.
  17. ^ 안윤학 (2011-12-26). ""완강기 있었지만..." 사용법 모르면 무용지물". YTN (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-11-25.
  18. ^ 기자메일네이버, 부산cbs 김혜민 기자메일 부산cbs 송호재 (2023-09-12). ""완강기만 있었어도…" 소방 안전 사각지대에 놓인 노후 아파트". mbs.nocutnews.co.kr. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
  19. ^ "화재 시 '간편·안전하게 탈출' 가능한 완강기 발명 특허출원". 서울신문 (in Korean). 2021-03-02. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
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