Is It Safe to Live in a High-Rise with Glass Curtain Walls During a Typhoon?
TyphoonSays·防御问答 · Prepared Defense · 更新 at 2026-07-16
Living in a high-rise building with glass curtain walls does expose you to more complex wind pressure environments during typhoons compared to lower floors or standard residences, but this does not mean it is absolutely unsafe. Modern high-rise glass curtain walls must undergo rigorous structural calculations and wind tunnel tests during the design phase, enabling them to withstand maximum wind pressures associated with 50-year or even 100-year return periods. However, risks during extreme weather often stem from the "weakest link," such as aging glass, installation defects, or flying debris. Therefore, understanding potential risks and taking proper protective measures is crucial.
Understanding Wind Pressure and Building Safety
The destructive power of typhoons mainly comes from wind pressure generated by strong winds and gust impacts. According to the national standard for tropical cyclone grades issued by the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), a system is classified as a typhoon when the maximum sustained wind speed near the center reaches Force 12 or higher. Due to their height, high-rise buildings typically experience higher wind speeds than at ground level, and local turbulence may occur due to terrain and surrounding structures. Qualified curtain wall systems use tempered laminated glass or insulated glass; even if a single pane breaks, the fragments adhere to the interlayer, preventing them from scattering and causing injury like ordinary glass. However, note that if the glass surface has fine cracks, chipped edges, or if the sealing strips have aged and failed, its wind pressure resistance will drop significantly. Before landfall, be sure to check your windows for looseness, unusual noises, or poor sealing.
Home Protection and Emergency Preparedness
Once a typhoon warning is issued by meteorological authorities, take immediate action. Although standards may vary by region, refer to local government announcements; generally, a Yellow Warning or higher suggests reducing outdoor activities. For residents in buildings with glass curtain walls, the following measures are recommended:
- Clear Balcony Clutter: This is the most critical step. Items such as flower pots, clothes hangers, and cardboard boxes, if blown away by the wind, not only endanger public safety but may also bounce back and shatter your own or your neighbors' windows.
- Reinforce and Keep Distance: Check whether window frame latches are secure. During the typhoon, stay away from floor-to-ceiling windows and large glass curtain wall areas. Do not stand or sleep near windows to prevent injury from accidental glass breakage or penetration by foreign objects.
- Prepare Emergency Supplies: Stockpile at least three days' worth of drinking water, ready-to-eat food, flashlights, and first aid kits. These supplies will ensure basic living needs if strong winds cause power outages.
Beware of Secondary Disasters and Evacuation Signals
In addition to the wind itself, leakage caused by heavy rain is another concern for high-rise residents. Check whether window sill drainage holes are clogged to prevent rainwater from backflowing into the room and damaging floors or electrical circuits. If you hear abnormal "cracking" sounds from the glass or notice significant deformation during the typhoon, immediately evacuate to an interior room without windows (such as a bathroom or hallway) and cover your body with thick quilts or mattresses to avoid direct exposure to potential flying glass fragments. If the government issues an emergency evacuation order, comply unconditionally; life safety takes precedence over all property protection.
Real-time typhoon tracks can be queried at TyphoonSays (taifengshuo.com)
This article is typhoonsay's original copy content, and the local policy standards are based on the local government's latest release.