China to adopt stricter seismic resistant measures for public facilities

Public buildings across the country, including schools, kindergartens, hospitals, elder care institutions, emergency command centers and emergency shelters must have stricter seismic resistant measures than other buildings, according to the public-exposure draft of the regulations on seismic protection administration of construction issued by the Ministry of Justice of the People's Republic of China on Oct 8. The deadline for soliciting public opinions ends Oct 22.

In spite of the country's continuous improvement in earthquake fortification and disaster prevention of construction projects in recent years, there still exist potential safety hazards due to relative loose mandatory seismic fortification standards.

A large number of old construction projects and rural houses lack seismic protective measures, and the responsibility system for building identifying seismic risks and fortifying and reinforcing against them is porous. Seismic engineering and technical research also require policy support.

The regulations are intended to solve the above problems and ensure the safety of people's lives and property.

The draft stipulates that house buyers and tenants should inquire about the building's designed working life, seismic performance and fortification, main structure and any dismantling or changes to it has undergone. House sellers or landlords need to cooperate with buyers and tenants.

In addition, the governments of municipalities, cities and counties must conduct renovation plans for old buildings that lack seismic fortification measures or fail to meet the related mandatory standards. Governments need to provide policy support as well.

The regulations stipulate that seismic reinforcement should be carried out with elevator installation and energy-saving renovation of old buildings.