The Shanghai government has unveiled new rules banning certain high-rises from using glass curtain walls. [Photo/China Daily]

SHANGHAI - The city of Shanghai rolled out new rules on Tuesday to ensure the safety of its skyscrapers after a series of accidents in which glass panels on the exterior walls of high-rises shattered unexpectedly.

The new rules, effective on Wednesday, banned multi-story buildings in hospitals, schools, nurseries and city centers from using glass curtain walls, which have no structural function and only serve to keep the elements out.

For buildings allowed to install glass curtain walls, the rules specified strict standards for glass quality and called for more frequent check-ups on the condition of glass exteriors.

"The new rules are aimed at protecting citizens' safety. In Shanghai, which is home to numerous skyscrapers, the measures are highly necessary," said Shen Xiaosu, deputy director of the Shanghai urban construction and communications commission.

The new rules debuted following a spate of recent safety accidents in Shanghai in which some glass curtain walls in high-rises burst without warning last year. Though the city was lucky enough to avoid any injuries, many residents now fear for their safety.

"After reading so many media reports about 'glass rains', I can't help looking up when I have to walk under skyscrapers," said Lu Yan, a local office worker.

On May 18, glass on the exterior of Wise Logic International Center, a high-rise office building, shattered and rained down shards on a nearby street, damaging two vehicles passing by.

The Shanghai World Finance Center, another trademark building in the city's downtown Lujiazui area, saw its glass exterior burst four times last year.

At present, a total of 4,210 buildings in Shanghai have glass curtain walls, with most of them located in downtown areas, according to data from the Shanghai urban construction and communications commission. "Many of the glass curtain walls have become old and shabby and need to be repaired," Shen said.

An investigation by the commission last year found that 35 glass curtain walls in the city have "serious safety hazards" and another 440 have "safety hazards on different levels".

According to the new rules, every building with glass curtain walls in the city is required to have a special fund for the maintenance of its glass exterior. The funds for existing buildings will come from owners, and contractors will pay for buildings under construction.

Details on the size and management of the funds will be issued later, said Gu Changhao, deputy director of the legislative affairs office of the Shanghai municipal government, which participated in the drafting of the rules.

The new rules have made it clear that building owners will be held liable for any accidents caused by the failure of their glass curtain walls.

"Proprietors are at the center of the new rules. They are the main party to ensure due maintenance has been made. They are the ones to be blamed if accidents happen," Gu said.

Another round of investigations will be launched later this year to check enforcement of the new rules, he said.