Porous Prefabricated Panel House

Whether a porous prefabricated panel house can continue to be inhabited depends on the housing safety appraisal report issued by a professional institution, rather than simply the age of the house. According to the Housing Safety Appraisal Standard (JGJ125 - 2016), housing safety is classified into four levels, with different levels corresponding to different handling methods:

I. Criteria for Determining Housing Safety Levels

1. Level A: The structural load-bearing capacity meets the requirements for normal use, with no dangerous points. Such houses can be inhabited normally without special treatment.
2. Level B: Some components have aging hazards (such as local cracks and steel bar corrosion), but they do not affect the safety of the main structure. They can continue to be used through regular maintenance (such as repairing cracks and waterproofing).
3. Level C: The load-bearing capacity of some structural components is insufficient, and it is a partially dilapidated house. Professional reinforcement (such as adding supports and pasting carbon fiber sheets) is required to improve structural safety. After passing the appraisal, it can continue to be inhabited.
4. Level D: The load-bearing structure is severely damaged, and it is a completely dilapidated house. Such houses must be demolished and rebuilt, and continued use is prohibited.

II. Particularities of Porous Prefabricated Panel Houses

1. Historical Background: They were widely used before 2000, with a designed service life of mostly 30 years (estimated based on industry experience), but the current standard is uniformly 50 years. The actual service life is affected by material quality, construction techniques, and maintenance conditions.
2. Common Defects:
   • Poor Integrity: The connections between the porous panels and the walls, beams, and columns are weak, making them prone to shaking or even collapse during earthquakes.
   • Water Leakage: The panel joints are prone to water seepage, and regular inspection of the roof waterproof layer is required.
   • Poor Sound Insulation: The floor slab has a large span and obvious vibration, so heavy objects should not be stacked or large-area slots should not be cut.
3. Data Support: In national assessments, about 72% of prefabricated panel buildings are rated as Level A/B, 25% as Level C, and only a very small number need to be demolished. For example, a 60-year-old building in Beijing can still be inhabited after reinforcement.

III. Precautions for Residents

1. Prohibit Structural Damage: Do not privately remove load-bearing walls, cut floor slabs, or stack heavy objects.
2. Regular Maintenance: Promptly repair the roof waterproofing to prevent rainwater from corroding the steel bars; avoid large-area slotting and drilling on the floor slab.
3. Pay Attention to Policies: Some regions conduct regular physical examinations for old prefabricated panel buildings (such as every 5 years in Nantong and every 2 years in Hefei), and residents need to cooperate with professional institutions for inspections.

IV. Policies and Cases

1. Housing Physical Examination System: Many regions have introduced policies to shorten the physical examination cycle for prefabricated panel buildings built more than 25 years ago or built in specific eras.
2. Reinforcement and Renovation Cases: No. 53 Dongdaqiao Road in Chaoyang District, Beijing, has achieved the relocation of residents through seismic reinforcement and energy-saving renovation, proving that old prefabricated panel buildings can still be used safely after scientific treatment.

Conclusion: The inhabitation safety of porous prefabricated panel houses needs to be determined through professional appraisal. Level A/B houses can be inhabited normally, Level C houses can be used after reinforcement, and Level D houses must be demolished. Residents should comply with maintenance regulations and pay attention to policy dynamics to ensure inhabitation safety.