Shanghai acts in case of glass-curtained buildings   

上海夏季防范高空“玻璃雨”

去年高空频下数场“玻璃雨”的上海，今夏在高温持续、台风频发的天气状况下，出台措施严防玻璃幕墙建筑受损、破裂。

Shanghai (CNS) -- Due to hot temperatures and the high occurrence of typhoons in Shanghai's summers, skyscrapers with glass exterior walls are in danger of cracking.

Local authorities emphasized on Thursday that the owners of such relatively fragile buildings are responsible for the safety of inhabitants and nearby pedestrians, and urged them to make a full and thorough examination of the condition of these structures.

The glass curtain style of building facade, and the 'glass box' style in general, have been widely used in Shanghai since the feature was first adopted for high-rise buildings in 1985. The material contributes internally to good lighting and keeps construction costs low, but glass also comes with problems such as light pollution and security risks.

The local government brought down strict limits on the use of glass curtain walls last February, and no more glass curtain walls are allowed to be used in kindergartens, nursing homes and other buildings of two floors or higher.