What is an in-depth safety diagnosis?
An in-depth safety diagnosis (Korea's statutory "full safety examination") finds the physical and functional defects of a facility, investigates, measures and evaluates its structural safety and the causes of the defects, and proposes repair and reinforcement methods. Its purpose is to find even defects that are not easily revealed by a safety inspection so that prompt measures can follow. HomeCheck reviews the design documents and structural calculations, takes core samples and non-destructive measurements, performs structural analysis and assigns a safety grade before issuing the final report.
Sources:
Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Article 2 (Definitions) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsSideInfoP.do?lsiSeq=283765&joNo=0002&joBrNo=00&docCls=jo&urlMode=lsScJoRltInfoR
Korea's Guidelines on the Implementation of Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments (MOLIT Notice No. 2026-444), Article 8 (General provisions on safety inspections, etc.) and Article 12 (Method of performing in-depth safety diagnosis) — https://www.law.go.kr/admRulLsInfoP.do?admRulSeq=2100000284032&chrClsCd=010202
Which facilities are subject to in-depth safety diagnosis?
Type 1 facilities are statutorily required to receive an in-depth safety diagnosis at set intervals. Also covered are Type 2 facilities other than buildings that received grade D or E in a detailed safety inspection, and Type 2 and Type 3 facilities (excluding buildings) that have passed 30 years after completion without a diagnosis and have been designated grade C or lower. In addition, when a safety inspection or emergency safety inspection finds a diagnosis necessary for disaster prevention, the in-depth safety diagnosis must begin within 1 year from the submission date of the result report, regardless of facility type.
Sources:
Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Article 12 (Implementation of in-depth safety diagnosis) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsSideInfoP.do?lsiSeq=283765&joNo=0012&joBrNo=00&docCls=jo&urlMode=lsScJoRltInfoR
Enforcement Decree of Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Article 10 (Implementation of in-depth safety diagnosis) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsSideInfoP.do?lsiSeq=289677&joNo=0010&joBrNo=00&docCls=jo&urlMode=lsScJoRltInfoR
What is the difference between an in-depth safety diagnosis and a detailed safety inspection?
Both procedures involve visual inspection, measurement and testing, but a detailed safety inspection evaluates condition with a focus on major members, while an in-depth safety diagnosis prepares a visual inspection map of all members and evaluates each member in detail. The in-depth safety diagnosis includes a safety evaluation by structural calculation and numerical analysis, identifies the causes of defects, proposes repair and reinforcement methods and, where necessary, evaluates seismic performance as well. The performing body also differs: a qualified managing entity may carry out a detailed safety inspection itself, but an in-depth safety diagnosis must be commissioned to an outside institution.
Sources:
Korea's Guidelines on the Implementation of Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments (MOLIT Notice No. 2026-444), Article 25 (Method of condition evaluation of facilities) and Article 26 (Safety evaluation of facilities) — https://www.law.go.kr/admRulLsInfoP.do?admRulSeq=2100000284032&chrClsCd=010202
Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Article 26 (Commissioning of safety inspections, etc.) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsSideInfoP.do?lsiSeq=283765&joNo=0026&joBrNo=00&docCls=jo&urlMode=lsScJoRltInfoR
How often is an in-depth safety diagnosis required?
The first in-depth safety diagnosis of a Type 1 facility is carried out within 1 year after 10 years have passed from the completion date or approval-for-use date. After that, it is carried out at least once every 6 years for grade A, 5 years for grades B and C, and 4 years for grades D and E according to the previous safety grade, with the cycle counted from the last day of the month in which the previous diagnosis was completed. Diagnoses required because of a grade, such as grade D or E Type 2 facilities or grade C or lower facilities 30 years after completion, must begin within 1 year from the grade designation date and be completed within 1 year of starting.
Sources:
Enforcement Decree of Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Table 3 (Timing of safety inspections, in-depth safety diagnoses and performance evaluations) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsBylInfoP.do?bylSeq=18451825&lsiSeq=289677&efYd=20260915&directYn=Y
Enforcement Decree of Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Article 10 (Implementation of in-depth safety diagnosis) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsSideInfoP.do?lsiSeq=289677&joNo=0010&joBrNo=00&docCls=jo&urlMode=lsScJoRltInfoR
How is the grade determined from an in-depth safety diagnosis?
The safety grade is set by a comprehensive evaluation that combines the condition evaluation of each member and the structural safety evaluation. The condition evaluation is based on the defects, damage and deterioration found in the visual inspection and material tests, and the safety evaluation assesses the load-bearing capacity of members from load tests, structural analysis and material test results. The final grade is designated in five levels from A (excellent) to E (poor) under Table 8 of the Enforcement Decree; grade D means a condition in which defects have occurred in major members and urgent repair or reinforcement and a decision on use restriction are needed.
Sources:
Korea's Guidelines on the Implementation of Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments (MOLIT Notice No. 2026-444), Article 25 (Method of condition evaluation of facilities), Article 26 (Safety evaluation of facilities), Article 28 (Method of comprehensive evaluation of facilities) and Article 29 (Designation of safety grades) — https://www.law.go.kr/admRulLsInfoP.do?admRulSeq=2100000284032&chrClsCd=010202
Enforcement Decree of Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Table 8 (Safety grade criteria for facilities) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsBylInfoP.do?bylSeq=18451835&lsiSeq=289677&efYd=20260915&directYn=Y
What happens if a facility is rated grade D or lower in an in-depth safety diagnosis?
When grade D or E is designated, the managing entity must take necessary measures such as repair and reinforcement, and if judged urgent, safety measures such as use restriction, prohibition of use, demolition or evacuation of residents. Warning signs must be installed at the facility and residents notified by broadcast or the internet, and within 30 days of completing repair and reinforcement the results must be entered into Korea's integrated facility information management system. Table 8 of the Enforcement Decree defines grade E as a condition requiring immediate prohibition of use and reinforcement or reconstruction, so a grade E result means the question of continued use must be decided first.
Sources:
Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Article 23 (Emergency safety measures) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsSideInfoP.do?lsiSeq=283765&joNo=0023&joBrNo=00&docCls=jo&urlMode=lsScJoRltInfoR
Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Article 24 (Repair and reinforcement of facilities, etc.) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsSideInfoP.do?lsiSeq=283765&joNo=0024&joBrNo=00&docCls=jo&urlMode=lsScJoRltInfoR
Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Article 25 (Installation of warning signs, etc.) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsSideInfoP.do?lsiSeq=283765&joNo=0025&joBrNo=00&docCls=jo&urlMode=lsScJoRltInfoR
Enforcement Rules of Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Article 20 (Timing, method and procedure for notifying the results of repair, reinforcement and other measures) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsSideInfoP.do?lsiSeq=288721&joNo=0020&joBrNo=00&docCls=jo&urlMode=lsScJoRltInfoR
What equipment is needed for an in-depth safety diagnosis?
HomeCheck's in-depth safety diagnosis uses concrete core sampling equipment, rebar detectors, non-destructive test equipment such as Schmidt rebound hammers and ultrasonic testers, displacement gauges and 3D structural analysis software. The MOLIT guidelines require access equipment for hard-to-reach parts and, where necessary, special equipment such as traffic control and underwater cameras. Which tests to perform and at how many locations is decided through a preliminary site survey and drawing review, and only calibrated equipment is used.
Sources:
Korea's Guidelines on the Implementation of Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments (MOLIT Notice No. 2026-444), Article 8 (General provisions on safety inspections, etc.), Article 12 (Method of performing in-depth safety diagnosis) and Article 20 (General provisions on material testing) — https://www.law.go.kr/admRulLsInfoP.do?admRulSeq=2100000284032&chrClsCd=010202
What is included in an in-depth safety diagnosis report?
Table 7 of the Enforcement Decree requires the final report to include an outline and history of the diagnosis, analysis of the design drawings, structural calculations and repair and reinforcement history, and the results of the visual inspection and material tests. This is followed by the condition evaluation of concrete or steel, the safety evaluation including structural analysis, the comprehensive evaluation of the facility, repair and reinforcement methods, and overall conclusions and recommendations. The analysis methods, input data and calculation records used in the safety evaluation must also be included, so the basis of the conclusions can be traced and verified.
Sources:
Enforcement Decree of Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Table 7 (Matters to be included in result reports of safety inspections, etc.) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsBylInfoP.do?bylSeq=18451833&lsiSeq=289677&efYd=20260915&directYn=Y
Korea's Guidelines on the Implementation of Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments (MOLIT Notice No. 2026-444), Article 26 (Safety evaluation of facilities) — https://www.law.go.kr/admRulLsInfoP.do?admRulSeq=2100000284032&chrClsCd=010202
How is the cost of an in-depth safety diagnosis calculated?
The cost is calculated under the fee standards in the MOLIT notice: direct labor costs are set from the standard number of staff by facility type and size, and overheads, technical fees and direct expenses are added. The amount is adjusted when the structural form is complex or the facility is old, and whether a previous report is provided is also reflected. Items outside the basic scope, such as concrete material tests including core sampling, ground investigation and seismic evaluation, are added as optional tasks, so if you tell us the facility type, total floor area, structural form and scope of the diagnosis, we will reflect them in the quote.
Sources:
Korea's Guidelines on the Implementation of Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments (MOLIT Notice No. 2026-444), Article 55 (Principles of cost calculation), Article 60 (Cost of optional tasks) and Article 62 (Adjustment of fees) — https://www.law.go.kr/admRulLsInfoP.do?admRulSeq=2100000284032&chrClsCd=010202
What are the penalties for not carrying out an in-depth safety diagnosis?
A managing entity that fails to carry out a statutory in-depth safety diagnosis is subject to an administrative fine of up to KRW 30 million, a higher ceiling than for failing to carry out a safety inspection. Table 15 of the Enforcement Decree sets the fine at KRW 15 million for a delay of less than 6 months, KRW 20 million for 6 months to less than 12 months, and KRW 30 million for 12 months or more. Omitting a seismic performance evaluation for a facility subject to seismic design and failing to submit the result report are each subject to separate administrative fines.
Sources:
Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Article 67 (Administrative fines) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsSideInfoP.do?lsiSeq=283765&joNo=0067&joBrNo=00&docCls=jo&urlMode=lsScJoRltInfoR
Enforcement Decree of Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Table 15 (Criteria for imposition of administrative fines and imposing authorities) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsBylInfoP.do?bylSeq=18451849&lsiSeq=289677&efYd=20260915&directYn=Y
Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Article 12 (Implementation of in-depth safety diagnosis) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsSideInfoP.do?lsiSeq=283765&joNo=0012&joBrNo=00&docCls=jo&urlMode=lsScJoRltInfoR
Why is an in-depth safety diagnosis needed for reconstruction?
The procedure for deciding on reconstruction is not the in-depth safety diagnosis under the Special Act but the reconstruction assessment under Korea's Act on the Improvement of Urban Areas and Residential Environments. The reconstruction assessment is commissioned by the mayor or county governor to a reconstruction assessment institution, which evaluates residential environment suitability, structural safety, building finishes and equipment deterioration; the result is reviewed together with urban planning and local conditions to decide whether to approve the project implementation plan. The in-depth safety diagnosis is a maintenance-stage diagnosis that finds the causes of defects and repair and reinforcement methods, so if you are considering reconstruction, first check the reconstruction assessment procedure with the competent urban improvement department.
Sources:
Korea's Act on the Improvement of Urban Areas and Residential Environments, Article 12 (Reconstruction assessment for reconstruction projects) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsSideInfoP.do?lsiSeq=284065&joNo=0012&joBrNo=00&docCls=jo&urlMode=lsScJoRltInfoR
How long does an in-depth safety diagnosis take?
It varies with the size and complexity of the facility, but an in-depth safety diagnosis takes roughly 2 to 6 months. It proceeds in the order of design document review, site surveys such as core sampling and measurement, test result analysis and structural analysis. Grade determination and report writing follow, and the waiting time for laboratory test results is included in this process. Preparing drawings and previous reports in advance helps shorten the preliminary survey period.
What is structural analysis?
Structural analysis is the work of modeling the building's geometry, member sections, material strengths and load conditions to calculate the forces and deformations acting on each member. In an in-depth safety diagnosis, the actual strengths measured on site and the defect conditions are entered to identify structurally vulnerable parts, and dead load, live load, wind load and seismic load conditions are all reviewed. When repair and reinforcement work is carried out, the temporary loads from materials and equipment are included in the calculation to confirm safety during construction.
Sources:
Korea's Guidelines on the Implementation of Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments (MOLIT Notice No. 2026-444), Article 12 (Method of performing in-depth safety diagnosis) — https://www.law.go.kr/admRulLsInfoP.do?admRulSeq=2100000284032&chrClsCd=010202
Does core sampling damage the building?
Yes. Core sampling is a test that extracts a cylindrical piece of the structure, so minor damage occurs at the sampling point. The MOLIT guidelines also require laboratory tests that remove material to be performed only when they help evaluate the facility as a whole, and the damaged part to be restored to its original condition. In its in-depth safety diagnosis, HomeCheck agrees the sampling locations in advance and fills the holes with high-strength mortar afterwards to reduce the structural effect.
Sources:
Korea's Guidelines on the Implementation of Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments (MOLIT Notice No. 2026-444), Article 22 (Laboratory tests) — https://www.law.go.kr/admRulLsInfoP.do?admRulSeq=2100000284032&chrClsCd=010202
What are the qualification requirements for an in-depth safety diagnosis institution?
In-depth safety diagnoses may be performed only by the Korea Authority of Land & Infrastructure Safety (KALIS) and by institutions specializing in safety examinations that meet the technical staff and equipment requirements and are registered with the provincial governor. Some facilities designated by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, such as special bridges like suspension bridges and dams, may be handled only by KALIS. Under Table 5 of the Enforcement Decree, the responsible engineer in the building field must be a special-grade engineer or higher, or an architect with a certain track record, who has completed in-depth safety diagnosis training and has at least 2 years of practical experience afterwards. Companies that designed, built or supervised the facility, or their affiliates, may not be selected as the performing institution.
Sources:
Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Article 26 (Commissioning of safety inspections, etc.) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsSideInfoP.do?lsiSeq=283765&joNo=0026&joBrNo=00&docCls=jo&urlMode=lsScJoRltInfoR
Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Article 28 (Registration of institutions specializing in safety examinations, etc.) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsSideInfoP.do?lsiSeq=283765&joNo=0028&joBrNo=00&docCls=jo&urlMode=lsScJoRltInfoR
Enforcement Decree of Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Article 21 (Facilities subject to in-depth safety diagnosis) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsSideInfoP.do?lsiSeq=289677&joNo=0021&joBrNo=00&docCls=jo&urlMode=lsScJoRltInfoR
Enforcement Decree of Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Table 5 (Qualifications of responsible engineers who may perform safety inspections, etc. and performance evaluations) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsBylInfoP.do?bylSeq=18451829&lsiSeq=289677&efYd=20260915&directYn=Y
What are HomeCheck's strengths in in-depth safety diagnosis?
HomeCheck is registered in Korea as an institution specializing in safety examinations in both the building and civil engineering fields and as an engineering business in the structural field, and has structural Professional Engineers (Korea's national qualification) on staff. Structural engineers who have completed the refresher training for in-depth safety diagnosis carry out the site survey themselves, and connect the core sampling and non-destructive measurement results to structural analysis to present the causes of defects and repair and reinforcement proposals. For facilities with different load conditions, such as schools, hospitals and logistics centers, items suited to the use are added to the diagnosis.
Why is a ground stability investigation needed?
To find the right repair method, it is necessary to determine whether building cracks are caused by simple aging or by a structural problem from ground settlement. The in-depth safety diagnosis measures the displacement of the foundation and ground and assesses the progress of settlement and its effect on the superstructure. If differential settlement is confirmed, crack repair and foundation reinforcement are handled together, and ground investigation by boring or sampling is added as an optional task when needed.
Sources:
Korea's Guidelines on the Implementation of Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments (MOLIT Notice No. 2026-444), Article 60 (Cost of optional tasks) — https://www.law.go.kr/admRulLsInfoP.do?admRulSeq=2100000284032&chrClsCd=010202
Do the results of an in-depth safety diagnosis carry legal weight?
Yes. The final report of an in-depth safety diagnosis under the Special Act is the basis for statutory follow-up procedures such as safety grade designation, repair and reinforcement obligations and emergency safety measures. The managing entity must submit the report to the competent authority, and the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport evaluates the results and may demand corrections or supplements if the report is found deficient. It is treated as an official record: false preparation is punishable by imprisonment of up to 3 years or a fine of up to KRW 30 million, poor preparation is subject to an administrative fine, and the diagnosing institution must keep the report for 10 years from the submission date.
Sources:
Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Article 16 (Designation of facility safety grades, etc.) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsSideInfoP.do?lsiSeq=283765&joNo=0016&joBrNo=00&docCls=jo&urlMode=lsScJoRltInfoR
Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Article 17 (Reporting of results of safety inspections and in-depth safety diagnoses, etc.) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsSideInfoP.do?lsiSeq=283765&joNo=0017&joBrNo=00&docCls=jo&urlMode=lsScJoRltInfoR
Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Article 18 (Evaluation of results of detailed safety inspections or in-depth safety diagnoses) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsSideInfoP.do?lsiSeq=283765&joNo=0018&joBrNo=00&docCls=jo&urlMode=lsScJoRltInfoR
Enforcement Rules of Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Article 13 (Retention period of result reports of safety inspections and in-depth safety diagnoses, etc.) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsSideInfoP.do?lsiSeq=288721&joNo=0013&joBrNo=00&docCls=jo&urlMode=lsScJoRltInfoR
Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Article 65 (Penalties) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsSideInfoP.do?lsiSeq=283765&joNo=0065&joBrNo=00&docCls=jo&urlMode=lsScJoRltInfoR
Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Article 67 (Administrative fines) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsSideInfoP.do?lsiSeq=283765&joNo=0067&joBrNo=00&docCls=jo&urlMode=lsScJoRltInfoR
Can an in-depth safety diagnosis be carried out without structural drawings?
Yes. An in-depth safety diagnosis is possible without structural drawings. If there are no design or as-built documents, member dimensions are measured on site to produce as-measured drawings first, and rebar detection and core tests are used to confirm the reinforcement and material strength and fill in the values needed for structural analysis. Preparing as-measured drawings is an optional task with a separate cost under the MOLIT fee standards, so telling us early in the consultation whether drawings exist makes it easier to set the schedule and quote.
Sources:
Korea's Guidelines on the Implementation of Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments (MOLIT Notice No. 2026-444), Article 60 (Cost of optional tasks) — https://www.law.go.kr/admRulLsInfoP.do?admRulSeq=2100000284032&chrClsCd=010202
How does an in-depth safety diagnosis of civil structures such as bridges or retaining walls differ from one for buildings?
In-depth safety diagnoses of civil structures such as bridges and retaining walls differ from those of buildings in the field of the institution that performs them and in the survey standards. Table 9 of the Enforcement Decree divides civil safety examinations into the bridge and tunnel, hydraulic facility and port fields: bridges and tunnels go to the bridge and tunnel field, dams and levees to the hydraulic facility field, retaining walls fall within the scope of all three fields, and multi-family housing and large buildings are diagnosed by the building field. For civil structures with electrical equipment, mechanical equipment or measurement facilities related to structural safety, the Enforcement Decree requires that equipment to be diagnosed by technically qualified persons in the relevant field; this provision does not apply to buildings, and survey methods are also set separately for each facility type, such as bridges, tunnels and dams, in the detailed guidelines. Retaining walls that are ancillary to a building, such as those within a complex, are treated as part of the building. HomeCheck is registered as an institution specializing in safety examinations in the building field and the civil engineering (bridge and tunnel) field, so at consultation the facility type is confirmed first and the applicable standards decided.
Sources:
Enforcement Decree of Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Table 9 (Scope of safety inspections, etc. and performance evaluations) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsBylInfoP.do?bylSeq=18451837&lsiSeq=289677&efYd=20260915&directYn=Y
Enforcement Decree of Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Article 10 (Implementation of in-depth safety diagnosis) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsSideInfoP.do?lsiSeq=289677&joNo=0010&joBrNo=00&docCls=jo&urlMode=lsScJoRltInfoR
Enforcement Decree of Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Table 1 (Types of Type 1 and Type 2 facilities) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsBylInfoP.do?bylSeq=18451819&lsiSeq=289677&efYd=20260915&directYn=Y
Are apartment complexes subject to in-depth safety diagnosis?
Apartment complexes can be facilities under the Special Act, but they are not subject to the in-depth safety diagnosis required at set intervals. Under Table 1 of the Enforcement Decree, apartment buildings with 16 or more stories are Type 2 facilities, and those with 5 to 15 stories fall within the range that local governments and others may designate as Type 3 facilities 15 years after completion. The diagnosis obligations attached to Type 2 facilities rated D or E in a detailed safety inspection and to facilities rated C or lower 30 years after completion all exclude buildings, so an apartment in-depth safety diagnosis is carried out when a safety inspection or emergency safety inspection finds it necessary for disaster prevention. Mixed-use residential buildings are treated as buildings other than multi-family housing and become Type 1 facilities if they have 21 or more stories, and the reconstruction assessment that decides on reconstruction is a separate procedure under Korea's Act on the Improvement of Urban Areas and Residential Environments.
Sources:
Enforcement Decree of Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Article 10 (Implementation of in-depth safety diagnosis) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsSideInfoP.do?lsiSeq=289677&joNo=0010&joBrNo=00&docCls=jo&urlMode=lsScJoRltInfoR
Enforcement Decree of Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Table 1 (Types of Type 1 and Type 2 facilities) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsBylInfoP.do?bylSeq=18451819&lsiSeq=289677&efYd=20260915&directYn=Y
Enforcement Decree of Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Table 1-2 (Scope of Type 3 facilities) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsBylInfoP.do?bylSeq=18451821&lsiSeq=289677&efYd=20260915&directYn=Y
How can I check the registered field of an in-depth safety diagnosis company?
The registered field of an institution specializing in safety examinations appears in a separate box on the registration document issued by the provincial governor, so you can check it with a copy of the registration document before the contract. The fields are bridges and tunnels, hydraulic facilities, ports, buildings and comprehensive; under Table 9 of the Enforcement Decree, the bridge and tunnel field covers bridges, tunnels, retaining walls and the like, the building field covers multi-family housing, large buildings and the like, and the comprehensive field covers both civil and building facilities. Check the registration together with whether the facility to be diagnosed falls within the scope of that field; registrations are managed in the provincial register, and MOLIT may publish the status and track record of institutions so that managing entities can choose a performing institution. Tell HomeCheck, which is registered in the building field and the civil engineering (bridge and tunnel) field, your facility type and we will first advise whether it is a field we can handle.
Sources:
Enforcement Rules of Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Article 25 (Registration of institutions specializing in safety examinations, etc.) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsSideInfoP.do?lsiSeq=288721&joNo=0025&joBrNo=00&docCls=jo&urlMode=lsScJoRltInfoR
Enforcement Decree of Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Table 9 (Scope of safety inspections, etc. and performance evaluations) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsBylInfoP.do?bylSeq=18451837&lsiSeq=289677&efYd=20260915&directYn=Y
Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Article 36 (Management of track records of safety inspections, etc. and performance evaluations) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsSideInfoP.do?lsiSeq=283765&joNo=0036&joBrNo=00&docCls=jo&urlMode=lsScJoRltInfoR
Which guidelines and detailed guidelines govern an in-depth safety diagnosis?
Under Article 21 of the Special Act, an in-depth safety diagnosis follows the Guidelines on the Implementation of Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments issued by MOLIT and the detailed guidelines set by the Korea Authority of Land & Infrastructure Safety (KALIS) with the approval of the Minister. The guidelines set the framework for the purpose and method of the diagnosis, material testing, condition and safety evaluation, comprehensive evaluation and report preparation, and refer methods and procedures not covered to the detailed guidelines. The detailed guidelines contain implementation methods and inspection forms for each facility type, such as bridges, tunnels, dams and buildings, minimum items and standard quantities for material tests, and grading criteria for condition and safety evaluation. When MOLIT evaluates diagnosis results, these guidelines, the detailed guidelines and the terms of reference are the standard, and HomeCheck prepares its final reports according to the forms and evaluation methods of both.
Sources:
Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Article 21 (Guidelines on safety inspections, etc.) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsSideInfoP.do?lsiSeq=283765&joNo=0021&joBrNo=00&docCls=jo&urlMode=lsScJoRltInfoR
Korea's Guidelines on the Implementation of Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments (MOLIT Notice No. 2026-444), Article 3 (Scope of application), Article 19 (Procedures for safety inspections, etc.) and Article 66 (Evaluation criteria) — https://www.law.go.kr/admRulLsInfoP.do?admRulSeq=2100000284032
What is the difference between an in-depth safety diagnosis and a performance evaluation?
An in-depth safety diagnosis is a procedure that finds a facility's defects and their causes and proposes repair and reinforcement methods, while a performance evaluation comprehensively evaluates the facility's performance, such as structural safety, durability and serviceability, to forecast future performance changes and set the direction of maintenance. Under Table 13 of the Enforcement Decree, performance evaluation is limited to certain Type 1 and Type 2 facilities, such as bridges and tunnels on expressways and national highways, bridges and tunnels on high-speed and conventional railways, mooring facilities at trade ports and coastal ports, and multipurpose dams; among buildings, only airport terminals are included. The reports also differ: a performance evaluation includes the performance targets and management indicators set by the managing entity and maintenance proposals that take those targets into account. For Type 1 facilities, the performance evaluation may be carried out together with the in-depth safety diagnosis or may use the results of a diagnosis carried out within 1 year, so the two procedures are sometimes carried out together.
Sources:
Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Article 2 (Definitions) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsSideInfoP.do?lsiSeq=283765&joNo=0002&joBrNo=00&docCls=jo&urlMode=lsScJoRltInfoR
Enforcement Decree of Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Article 28 (Performance evaluation of facilities) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsSideInfoP.do?lsiSeq=289677&joNo=0028&joBrNo=00&docCls=jo&urlMode=lsScJoRltInfoR
Enforcement Decree of Korea's Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments, Table 13 (Scope of facilities subject to performance evaluation) — https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsBylInfoP.do?bylSeq=18451845&lsiSeq=289677&efYd=20260915&directYn=Y
