Tongling Prefabricated Houses
The following is information about Tongling prefabricated houses:
Investigation and Rectification
Since May 2024, Tongling City has been conducting a comprehensive investigation and rectification of urban and rural housing safety, completing an inventory of the safety status of over 550,000 existing buildings across the city over a two-year period. For buildings initially identified by experts as having potential hazards, professional assessments are conducted to determine risk levels, and targeted measures are implemented on a case-by-case basis. For buildings classified as Grade D (the most dangerous), strict measures are enforced, including evacuation, warning sign installation, and regular inspections until engineering reinforcement or demolition is carried out. Additionally, supervision of testing agencies is strengthened, and a three-level verification and closure process is implemented to ensure comprehensive hazard management.
Accident and Risk Warnings
On May 27, 2024, a brick-and-concrete prefabricated panel structure building constructed in 2001 in Longyuan Residential Area, Datong Town, Tongling Suburb, collapsed, resulting in 4 deaths and 1 injury. Although the building underwent exterior wall renovation in 2020, victims had reported safety concerns three years prior. The preliminary cause of the accident was identified as prolonged heavy rainfall leading to foundation softening, combined with the inherent weaknesses of prefabricated panel structures, such as poor overall integrity and weak resistance to deformation, ultimately causing the collapse. Following the incident, Tongling City urgently deployed citywide inspections of old buildings and detained the person in charge of the construction company responsible for the collapsed building. This event highlights the significant safety risks associated with prefabricated panel structures that have not undergone timely structural reinforcement or renovation after long-term use.
Renovation and Protection Measures
In accordance with requirements from the Anhui Provincial Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Tongling City has implemented classified renovation measures for eligible old prefabricated panel structures:
- Urban dilapidated buildings: Included in annual renovation plans, with measures such as demolition and reconstruction or reinforcement to eliminate hazards and ensure that "no one lives in dangerous buildings";
- Rural dilapidated buildings: Combined with rural dilapidated building renovation policies, priority is given to renovating buildings for key groups such as low-income households, adhering to the principle of "no dangerous buildings with occupants".
Supplementary Science Knowledge
Prefabricated panel structures were widely used in residential construction from the late 20th century to the early 21st century due to their short construction periods and low costs. However, they have inherent defects, such as weak node connections and poor overall integrity, making them prone to partial or complete collapse under long-term loads, foundation settlement, or extreme weather conditions. It is recommended that owners of such buildings regularly inspect for wall cracks, floor deformation, and other issues, promptly commission professional agencies to assess structural safety, and avoid unauthorized modifications to load-bearing structures.
