Improving the earthquake resistance of villages and towns to solve the problem of large and small earthquakes becoming disasters
The "Regulations on the Anti-seismic Management of Construction Projects" complement the shortcomings of the anti-seismic management of rural construction projects
□ Our reporter Zhang Wei
On July 19, Premier Li Keqiang signed the State Council Order No. 744, promulgating the "Regulations on the Anti-seismic Management of Construction Projects" (hereinafter referred to as the "Regulations"), which will come into force on September 1, 2021.
This is of great significance to my country, where earthquake disasters occur frequently and destructive earthquakes occur from time to time.
"The promulgation of the "Regulations" will enable laws to be followed for the seismic identification and reinforcement of existing buildings, further improve their seismic performance, and promote the improvement of comprehensive urban and rural disaster prevention capabilities.” Director of the Research Center for Identification and Reinforcement, Institute of Earthquake Resistance, China Academy of Building Research Shi Tiehua said in an interview with a reporter from the Rule of Law Daily.
Provide solid legal protection
According to the person in charge of the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, my country is a country prone to earthquakes. Earthquake-resistant construction projects have a direct bearing on people’s lives and property safety, as well as economic development and social stability.
The Party Central Committee and the State Council attach great importance to earthquake-resistant construction projects.
In recent years, my country’s construction projects have continued to improve their anti-earthquake and disaster prevention capabilities, which have played an important role in reducing the risk of earthquake disasters, reducing casualties and property losses, and safeguarding and improving people’s livelihood.
But at the same time, there are some problems that need to be solved: First, some construction projects are not strict enough to implement the mandatory standards for seismic fortification, and there are greater safety risks; second, anti-seismic fortification measures are generally not taken in old construction projects and rural construction projects to deal with earthquakes. Disaster risk capabilities are insufficient; third, the regulations on responsibilities related to seismic fortification, identification and reinforcement of construction projects are not complete, and there is a gap with the actual needs of the entire process of seismic management of construction projects; fourth, there are relevant safeguard measures and supervision and management in the field of seismic resistance of construction projects. Weak links have affected and restricted the implementation of seismic fortification standards and the improvement of disaster prevention capabilities.
In order to solve these problems, it is urgent to improve the design of related systems from the legislative level, and provide strong legal support for strengthening the seismic management of construction projects.
The "Regulations" were promulgated in this context.
"The "Regulations" adhere to problem-oriented and goal-oriented, based on the practical needs of construction engineering anti-seismic management, through the establishment and improvement of construction engineering anti-seismic investigation system, anti-seismic fortification special chapter system, over-limit high-rise anti-seismic fortification approval system, classified fortification system, earthquake resistance Performance appraisal system, seismic reinforcement system, seismic fortification system for rural construction projects, seismic industry development and new technology promotion and application system, seismic fortification data information sharing system, earthquake-resistant enterprise and employee credit record system, and legal responsibility system, etc., for the earthquake resistance of construction projects Management provides a solid guarantee for the rule of law." said Cui Junjie, an associate professor at the School of Political Science and Law, Capital Normal University.
In Cui Junjie’s view, the "Regulations" clarify the seismic fortification requirements and measures for new construction, reconstruction, and expansion construction projects, standardize the seismic identification, reinforcement and maintenance of completed construction projects, strengthen the seismic fortification of rural construction projects, and strengthen safeguards and measures. Supervise and manage, and bring the whole process and all links of construction engineering anti-seismic management into the track of rule of law.
Clarify the responsibilities of all parties
The responsibility of the parties responsible for the seismic safety of existing buildings is clarified in the "Regulations."
Zeng Demin, a researcher at the School of Civil Engineering, Beijing Jianzhu University, believes that the "Regulations" focus on strengthening the responsibility of construction units.
The construction unit, as the general lead unit of project construction activities, plays a leading role in ensuring the earthquake resistance of construction projects.
For example, to be responsible for the entire process of survey, design and construction of construction projects, one should apply for approval for seismic fortification of over-limit high-rise buildings in the preliminary design stage.
The "Regulations" strictly implement the responsibilities of participating units such as survey, design, and construction.
Zeng Demin said that insufficient depth of survey and design and inadequate construction quality management are important reasons that affect seismic performance.
The "Regulations" stipulate that the seismic fortification intensity, seismic fortification category, and the proposed seismic fortification measures should be stated in the construction project design documents.
The general contractor, construction unit and supervision unit of the project shall strengthen construction quality management and carry out construction in accordance with the compulsory standards for seismic fortification.
Shi Tiehua noted that the "Regulations" further clarify the responsibility of the owner for the seismic safety of existing buildings, including the responsibility of conducting seismic appraisal in accordance with the law, the responsibility of taking corresponding measures in a timely manner based on the conclusion of seismic appraisal, and the responsibility of strengthening those that require seismic reinforcement. Responsibilities for overhauling and maintaining the seismic components and seismic isolation facilities of existing buildings.
The responsibilities of seismic appraisal agencies are also clarified in the "Regulations."
It is stipulated that construction projects that shall be appraised for seismic performance according to law shall be appraised by an institution with corresponding technical conditions and technical capabilities entrusted by the proprietor.
Although the country does not have uniform qualifications for earthquake resistance appraisal agencies, appraisal agencies should have the corresponding technical conditions and technical capabilities, and they should also abide by professional ethics, and it is strictly forbidden to cheat for personal gains and fraud.
The "Regulations" also stipulate corresponding legal responsibilities. If an appraisal institution is punished, its responsible personnel shall also be punished accordingly.
In addition, the "Regulations" also clarify the daily maintenance responsibilities and protection obligations of completed construction projects.
The "Regulations" stipulate that the owner of a construction project shall inspect, repair and maintain the seismic components, isolation trenches, isolation joints, seismic isolation and damping devices and seismic isolation signs of the construction project, and timely investigate potential safety hazards. Any unit or individual Do not alter, damage or dismantle without authorization.
Fill in the gaps in seismic legislation
The issuance of the "Regulations" is of particular significance for earthquake-resistant construction projects in rural areas.
Zhu Lixin, a researcher at the China Academy of Building Research Co., Ltd., believes that the "Regulations" fill the legislative gap in the earthquake-resistant management of rural construction projects, lay the institutional foundation for the earthquake-resistant fortification of rural construction projects, and help comprehensively improve the seismic fortification capacity of rural construction projects in my country.
my country is one of the countries in the world where earthquake disasters occur frequently.
Since the founding of New China in 1949, my country has experienced many destructive earthquakes, causing huge casualties and economic losses.
"Most of these earthquakes occurred in villages and towns." Zhu Lixin said that major disasters due to moderate earthquakes and small earthquakes are characteristics of earthquake disasters in villages and towns.
Field surveys of previous earthquake disasters have shown that under the conditions of earthquakes of the same intensity, the damage and collapse rate of buildings in villages and towns is much higher than that in cities. The main reason is that the people are not strong in earthquake resistance, economic conditions are limited, and traditional construction habits are insufficient, etc. .
Generally speaking, the earthquake has caused more serious damage to our country’s villages and towns. How to improve the earthquake resistance of villages and towns’ houses and reduce casualties and economic losses is a serious problem facing us.
The issuance and implementation of the "Regulations" complements the shortcomings of the earthquake-resistant management of rural construction projects, and is conducive to comprehensively improving the seismic fortification capacity of rural construction projects in my country.
Chapter 4 of the "Regulations" provides special chapters on the earthquake-resistant fortification of rural construction projects, especially for the particularity of rural areas, strengthens the responsibilities of the government and departments, and clarifies that people's governments at all levels and relevant departments should strengthen the earthquake-resistant fortification of rural construction projects In Zhu Lixin’s view, this is also a highlight of the "Regulations."
According to the "Regulations", the people's governments at or above the county level will provide necessary policy support for the seismic reinforcement of rural villagers' houses and rural public facilities construction projects that have not met the compulsory seismic fortification standards after the seismic performance appraisal.
The implementation of rural dilapidated house renovation, resettlement relocation, post-disaster restoration and reconstruction, etc., shall ensure that the construction project meets the compulsory seismic fortification standards.
Local people's governments at or above the county level shall compile and issue an atlas of practical seismic technology suitable for rural areas. The atlas of seismic technology can be selected for the construction of rural villagers’ houses, or design units can be entrusted to design, and construction shall be carried out according to the requirements of the atlas or design.
Local people's governments at or above the county level should strengthen guidance and services for the earthquake resistance of rural villagers’ houses and rural public facilities construction projects, strengthen technical training, organize the construction of earthquake-resistant demonstration houses, and promote the application of structural forms and construction methods with good seismic performance.
Zhu Lixin suggested that after the promulgation of the "Regulations", people's governments at all levels and relevant departments should actively follow the requirements and do a good job in implementing the "Regulations."
Through various forms, propaganda and popularize earthquake knowledge in rural areas, and raise the people's awareness of earthquake defense.
On the basis of providing free construction drawings, provide and promote simple, easy-to-use and low-cost earthquake-resistant technical measures for rural houses in rural areas.
Further do a good job in the guidance and service of the quality of rural housing construction.
Further increase investment and support for earthquake-resistant fortification of rural houses.
Beijing, August 6th