Removal of Prefabricated Panels in Rural Houses

In rural houses, prefabricated panels are not universally removed; instead, the principle of 'renovate if possible, remove if necessary' is followed, and only prefabricated panel houses in specific situations must be demolished.

There is a large stock of prefabricated panel houses built before 2000 across the country, amounting to approximately 2 billion square meters. However, only 20% of them truly need to be demolished, while the remaining 80% can continue to be used after reinforcement and renovation. The prefabricated panel houses that must be demolished mainly fall into the following three categories:

The first category is 'critically ill' dilapidated houses, which are houses identified as Grade D dilapidated houses through professional agency inspections. The main structures of Grade D dilapidated houses have been severely damaged, posing a risk of collapse at any time, and their living safety cannot be guaranteed through reinforcement and repair. For example, situations such as large-area cracks in walls, bending and deformation of load-bearing beams and columns, and fracture and subsidence of floor slabs are typical characteristics of Grade D dilapidated houses. These houses must be demolished immediately to avoid casualties and property losses.

The second category is houses obstructing urban development, which are houses that must be demolished due to urban planning needs. For example, if a house is located in key planning areas such as subway construction routes, school expansion sites, or urban core business districts, it must give way to public interests even if its structure is safe. Such demolitions are usually accompanied by land acquisition and compensation procedures, and the government will provide reasonable resettlement or financial compensation to homeowners in accordance with relevant regulations.

The third category is houses located in high-risk areas, which are prefabricated panel houses in earthquake zones, flood discharge areas, or areas with a high risk of landslides. These houses may be prioritized for relocation due to the threat of geological disasters even if they have not reached their service life. For example, in earthquake-prone zones, the seismic performance of prefabricated panel houses is poor, and they are prone to overall collapse during earthquakes; in flood discharge areas, floods may destroy house foundations; in areas with a high risk of landslides, landslides may directly bury houses. The government will reduce the natural disaster risks faced by residents through relocation policies.

Except for the above three categories of situations, the remaining prefabricated panel houses can have their service lives extended through reinforcement and renovation. For example, measures such as reinforcing walls with steel mesh mortar surface layers, strengthening floor slabs with carbon fiber sheets, and adding structural columns and ring beams can significantly improve the structural safety of houses. Renovated houses must pass professional inspections before they can continue to be used.