Prefabricated Panel Houses in the 1990s

Prefabricated panel houses in the 1990s were constructed using reinforced concrete prefabricated components as the main materials, employing a 'panel-column' system. These houses were characterized by short construction periods and low costs, but they also had issues such as poor sound insulation, and some of them faced demolition.

Basic Information

Prefabricated panel houses emerged in the late 1980s to the 1990s when China's urbanization process accelerated, and the growing urban population created an urgent demand for housing. The exterior walls of these houses were mostly made of assembled prefabricated concrete panels, and they were typically 6-7-story low-rise buildings. They had short construction periods, low construction difficulty, and low costs, with relatively flexible indoor space layouts.

Service Life

Their average service life exceeds 50 years, and with proper maintenance, it can reach 60-70 years. As long as appropriate measures are taken in design, construction, and post-construction management, prefabricated panel buildings can fully have a service life comparable to that of traditional brick-and-concrete structures. Factors affecting their lifespan include design level, such as reasonable structural design, appropriate component sizes, and effective anti-leakage measures; as well as construction quality, such as the manufacturing quality of prefabricated components, the handling of connection details, and on-site assembly techniques.

Existing Problems

Prefabricated panel houses from the 1990s have some issues. In terms of sound insulation, due to their structural characteristics, the sound insulation effect is poor. Regarding lighting, the layout of some houses is unreasonable, resulting in poor lighting. There are also water leakage problems that affect the living experience. Moreover, aging electrical wires can easily cause fires, posing safety hazards. During the Wenchuan earthquake, some prefabricated panel buildings collapsed, raising questions about their safety.

Demolition Situation

Not all prefabricated panel houses from the 1990s will be demolished. Those with poor seismic performance that collapse easily during earthquakes and those identified as D-grade dilapidated buildings (with cracked walls and skewed beams) are given priority for demolition. In 2024, the national demolition rate for prefabricated panel buildings was 10%, and it is expected to increase to 15% in 2025. Meanwhile, the Ningbo Municipal Government and the Haishu District Government have invested a large amount of funds and manpower in multiple renovations of old residential areas built before the 1990s. The Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, along with multiple departments, has also launched the 'Special Action Plan for the Investigation and Rectification of Safety Hazards in Old Prefabricated Panel Buildings'.