Prefabricated Houses and Typhoons

The safety of prefabricated houses in typhoons needs to be judged based on specific circumstances. Generally, it is not recommended to live in them, but standardized modular prefabricated houses can have strong wind resistance.

Traditional Prefabricated Panel Houses Have Safety Hazards

Traditional prefabricated panel houses have relatively poor structural stability and lack unified industry standards. During transportation and installation, components are prone to damage, leading to a decline in component quality and installation accuracy, making it difficult to meet wind resistance requirements. When a typhoon strikes, these houses are at risk of being blown over by strong winds, seriously threatening the lives of occupants.

Regulations Have Clear Requirements for Prefabricated Houses

Relevant regulations impose strict restrictions on the use of prefabricated houses in typhoon-prone areas. The 'Notice on Further Strengthening the Quality and Safety Management of Temporary Houses at Construction Sites' clearly requires the gradual elimination of cement prefabricated panel temporary houses in typhoon-prone areas. In addition, Article 9 of the 'Regulations on the Management of Dangerous Houses in Cities' states that if a prefabricated panel house is identified as a dangerous house, measures such as discontinuing use or complete demolition should be taken according to the identification results to safeguard public safety.

Modular Prefabricated Houses Have Strong Wind Resistance

Standardized modular buildings, such as those constructed using MiC technology, can achieve high-precision construction with millimeter-level errors through factory prefabrication and on-site assembly, significantly improving structural stability. Taking the 20-story dormitory building constructed by the University of Hong Kong using MiC technology as an example, this building did not show any damage or leakage after being hit by a Category 10 typhoon 'Saola' and performed well in subsequent multiple typhoon tests, fully demonstrating the wind resistance of modular prefabricated houses.

Recommended Measures Before a Typhoon

To ensure safety, before a typhoon arrives, a safety assessment of the prefabricated house should be carried out to determine its wind resistance. If potential hazards are found, timely reinforcement or evacuation to a safe place should be carried out. At the same time, when conditions permit, priority should be given to choosing modular prefabricated houses that meet wind resistance standards, such as those constructed using MiC technology, to reduce the risks brought by typhoons.