Hazards of Prefabricated Houses

Prefabricated houses have various hazards, mainly including poor earthquake resistance, fragile connection points, shoddy materials, poor sound insulation and thermal insulation, difficulty in adjusting the internal structure, a high risk of water seepage, and a relatively short service life.

Poor earthquake resistance: Prefabricated houses have subpar integrity, with a structure similar to that of building blocks. The connections between prefabricated panels and walls, as well as between panels themselves, are not strong enough. In the event of an earthquake, the floor slabs and walls can easily separate instantly, and entire prefabricated panels may fall directly, leading to severe building collapse and a high casualty rate.

Fragile connection points: The connection methods between prefabricated panels and walls are mostly simple overlaps, and the joints between panels are merely filled with simple materials, lacking rigid framework support. When the foundation settles or the walls crack, the prefabricated panels will shift and loosen accordingly. Moreover, over time, the connection points are prone to weathering, and the steel bars will rust, reducing the connection strength and potentially triggering a chain collapse accident.

Shoddy materials: Regular prefabricated panels use relatively thin steel bars, but some small workshops, to reduce costs, use thin steel wires instead. At the same time, the concrete grade may not meet the standards, and the thickness is insufficient, increasing the brittleness of the prefabricated panels. Once their load-bearing capacity is exceeded, they will break instantly without warning. Stacking heavy objects, carrying out renovations, or the aging of the house over time can all cause them to collapse.

Poor sound insulation and thermal insulation: Prefabricated houses perform poorly in terms of sound insulation and thermal insulation. In summer, the interior becomes extremely hot; in winter, it is very cold. Moreover, residents can clearly hear their neighbors' voices indoors, which seriously affects the quality of living.

Difficulty in adjusting the internal structure: The internal structure of prefabricated houses is almost impossible to modify on a large scale. Since every wall may be related to the overall structure of the house, it is difficult for residents to customize the living space according to their personal needs.

High risk of water seepage: Over time, cement components are prone to cracks, and the gaps between components will also increase, greatly increasing the risk of water seepage between floors.

Relatively short service life: The design service life of prefabricated houses is about 30 to 50 years. Many prefabricated panel houses built in the 1970s to 1990s are approaching or have exceeded their intended service lives and are beginning to show signs of aging.