Winner of the Fire Chief’s Prize for Outstanding Product at the 2024 Korea Safety Award

The earthquake-resistant ceiling lightweight steel frame system of Gonggan Tech, an idea technology company in Gangneung, won the Fire Chief’s Prize for Outstanding Product at the 2024 Korea Safety Award. This is the most prestigious award in the field of safety in Korea, hosted directly by the National Fire Agency and organized by the Korea Institute of Safety Certification, Korea Fire Institute, and Korea Fire Safety Institute, and is awarded annually to outstanding products and individuals and organizations that have led the way in protecting people’s lives and property. 

Superior ceiling light gauge steel safety

The company’s seismic ceiling lightweight steel systems are acclaimed for their seismic resistance, safety, functionality, and efficiency. It has the highest level of seismic and wind pressure resistance. It features a patented YES hanger with a 500 kg load capacity for the safety of workers in the ceiling, and functional components that make it easy and safe to repair and reinforce the lightweight steel. The company has registered a total of 13 patents, including U.S. and Japanese. “The system is especially useful in the ceilings of multi-use buildings, where a lot of mechanical equipment such as telecommunications, fire, air conditioning, and refrigeration are installed, as well as ducts and pipes. This naturally leads to a lot of repairs, and when workers climb into the ceiling to work, they inevitably step on the lightweight steel. Hangers on the market often bend. Our YES hanger is the only closed hanger in Korea that is designed to be stronger against side loads, so it is less likely to bend. It also has a high load-bearing capacity of 500kg, which ensures minimum safety for workers.” This further enhanced constructability, while making it easy to install, repair, and manage various machinery and equipment, preventing workers from performing abnormal construction, and ensuring safety and efficiency by selecting and applying the necessary parts as needed. The system was selected as a venture startup innovation procurement product, recommended materials by the Korea Institute of Registered Architects, and a pilot purchase product by the Public Procurement Service. 

Government support is needed

Focusing more on R&D

“The features of our seismic ceiling lightweight steel are designed for the complex ceiling shapes and management of existing multi-use facilities and industrial buildings. Our products have the highest level of seismic and wind pressure resistance, safety for workers in the ceiling and the ability to repair and reinforce lightweight steel. However, small and medium-sized enterprises like us need the government’s help to expand the market. We urgently need support for product development and promotion, as well as opportunities to apply our excellent products in the field. This is how we can build up our competitiveness in the private market by having quality delivery references.” says Jeong. The company has registered about 70 marine power generation patents and is attempting to commercialize the new concept of inclined tidal current power generation technology by discovering its principles.

It has attracted attention from the industry by introducing inclined screw tidal current power generation technology. The structure-integrated tidal current power generation device using screw-type blades developed by Jeong can effectively respond to problems that may occur on the seabed and increase economic efficiency by simplifying the structure and enlarging the water turbine. The inclined screw tidal current power generation technology was recognized for its excellence and won the grand prize in the idea category at the 2023 Marine and Fisheries Startup Contest hosted by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. Jeong is currently discussing the direction of commercialization with Korea Engineering Consultants and conducting research with KRISO. “Korea has abundant marine tidal energy resources, but it is not receiving much attention because its commercialization is not high. In order to commercialize tidal power generation, we need the attention of not only the government but also academia, industry, and researchers. For this, we are waiting for their support and interest. We will strive to make Korea a leader in tidal power generation with our own innovative technology.” says Jeong.