Hazards of Prefabricated Panel Structure Houses
The hazards of prefabricated panel structure houses are mainly reflected in poor earthquake resistance, fragile connection points, shoddy materials, poor sound insulation and thermal insulation, difficulty in adjusting the internal structure, high risk of water seepage, and short service life.
Almost zero earthquake resistance: Prefabricated panel houses have poor integrity, with weak connections between panels and walls, as well as between panels themselves. During an earthquake, the floor slabs and walls can easily separate instantly, leading to sudden collapse. Due to the lack of crack warning and deformation buffering mechanisms, occupants have very few opportunities to escape, especially in earthquake-prone areas where the risk is extremely high.
Fragile connection points: Prefabricated panels are simply overlapped with walls and filled with seams between panels, without rigid frameworks such as ring beams and structural columns for support. When the foundation settles or the walls crack, the panels are prone to misalignment and loosening. After long-term use, the connection points weather and the steel bars rust, significantly reducing strength. After living in old houses for two or three decades, the floor slabs may become precarious, and a slight increase in weight or wall demolition may trigger a chain collapse.
Shoddy materials: Regular prefabricated panels use relatively thin steel bars, while small workshops often substitute them with thin steel wires. The concrete grades do not meet standards and the thickness is insufficient, resulting in brittle materials. When overloaded, the prefabricated panels can break instantly without warning. Daily stacking of heavy objects, renovation work that involves hitting the floor, or aging over time can all trigger sudden collapses, posing serious safety hazards.
Poor sound insulation and thermal insulation: The hollow design and seams of prefabricated panel houses result in extremely poor sound insulation, with neighbors' voices clearly audible. The thermal insulation performance is also inadequate, making the houses stuffy in summer and cold in winter, requiring long-term reliance on air conditioners or heaters, which increases energy consumption and living costs.
Difficult to adjust the internal structure: Unlike modern commercial houses, every wall in a prefabricated panel house may serve as a structural support, and large-scale modifications can easily damage the overall stability. Residents find it difficult to customize the space according to their needs, limiting living comfort.
Risk of water seepage: Over time, cracks appear in the cement components and the gaps between components widen, leading to frequent water seepage problems between floors, affecting the living environment and potentially causing disputes among neighbors.
Short service life: The design service life of prefabricated panel houses is about 30 to 50 years. Most of them were built in the 1970s to 1990s and are now approaching or exceeding their service lives. Aging is widespread, and it is necessary to promptly assess the structural safety and consider reinforcement or renovation.
