Let’s discuss the issue of greenhouse collapse. Since this is a sensitive topic, let’s address it thoroughly.
We won't dwell on past events; instead, we will focus on the situation over the past two years. In particular, at the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024, many parts of China experienced several heavy snowfalls. Chengfei Greenhouse has a wide range of operations in the domestic market, and we have accumulated a wealth of experience in coping with different climatic conditions across the country. However, these recent snowfalls have caused tremendous impacts on agricultural facilities, resulting in damage beyond our expectations.
Specifically, these disasters have dealt a heavy blow to farmers and our peers. On one hand, numerous agricultural greenhouses suffered severe damage; on the other hand, crops inside those greenhouses faced significant yield reductions. This disastrous natural event was primarily caused by heavy snow and freezing rain. In some areas, snow accumulation reached 30 cm or even thicker, particularly in Hubei, Hunan, Xinyang in Henan, and the Huai River basin in Anhui, where the effects of freezing rain were especially severe. These disasters remind us of the importance of enhancing the disaster resilience of agricultural facilities in the face of extreme weather.
Many customers have consulted us, worried that the collapse of so many greenhouses was due to poor construction practices. How can they distinguish between the two? From our perspective, not all incidents are attributed to this. While some collapses may indeed be related to cutting corners, the primary cause of this widespread failure is still the severe natural disasters. Next, we will analyze the reasons in detail, hoping this information will be helpful to you.
The collapsed greenhouses mainly include single-span arch greenhouses and daylight greenhouses, along with some multi-span film greenhouses and glass greenhouses. In the Yangtze-Huai River basin, single-span arch greenhouses (also known as cold greenhouses) are primarily used for growing strawberries and cold-resistant vegetables. Since this area rarely experiences such widespread snow and rain, many customers’ greenhouse frames are often made from 25 mm diameter steel pipes with a thickness of only 1.5 mm or even thinner.
Additionally, some greenhouses lack essential support columns, making them unable to bear the weight of heavy snow, whether it is 30 cm or even 10 cm thick. Moreover, in some parks or among farmers, the number of greenhouses is quite large, which leads to delays in snow removal and ultimately causes widespread collapses.
After the heavy snow, videos of collapsed greenhouses flooded platforms like Douyin and Kuaishou, and many people commented that the construction companies had cut corners. However, that is not always the case. Sometimes, customers opt for cheaper small diameter steel pipes for their greenhouses. Construction companies build according to the clients’ requirements, and if the prices are too high, clients might refuse to use quality materials. This results in many greenhouses collapsing.
To prevent this type of collapse in the Yangtze-Huai River basin, the safest approach is to use larger specifications for building greenhouses. Although this increases costs, it ensures that no quality issues will arise during the service life, extending their lifespan and increasing yields. We should avoid relying on luck by building low-quality greenhouses. For example, using 32 mm x 2.0 mm hot-dip galvanized round pipes for the arch frame, adding internal support columns, and combining proper management can make a greenhouse strong enough to withstand adverse weather.
In addition, proper management of greenhouses is vital. During heavy snow, it is essential to close the greenhouse and cover it. There should be dedicated personnel to monitor the greenhouses during snowfall, ensuring timely snow removal or heating the greenhouse to melt the snow and prevent overloading.
If the snow accumulation exceeds 15 cm, snow removal is necessary. For snow removal, one method is to start a small fire inside the greenhouse (being careful not to damage the film), which aids in melting the snow. If the steel structure becomes deformed, temporary support columns can be added under the horizontal beams. As a last resort, cutting the roof film may be considered to protect the steel structure.
Another significant reason for the collapse of greenhouses is poor management. In some large parks, once the greenhouses are built, there is often no one to manage or maintain them, leading to complete collapse. This type of park represents a considerable proportion of such incidents. Generally, the quality of these greenhouses is poor due to cost-cutting measures. Many builders are not focused on constructing a usable greenhouse but are looking to obtain subsidies after construction. Therefore, it is surprising that these greenhouses do not collapse under severe snow and freezing rain.
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I am Coraline. Since the early 1990s, CFGET has been deeply rooted in the greenhouse industry. Authenticity, sincerity, and dedication are the core values that drive our company. We strive to grow alongside our growers, continuously innovating and optimizing our services to deliver the best greenhouse solutions.
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At Chengfei Greenhouse（CFGET）, we are not just greenhouse manufacturers; we are your partners. From the detailed consultations in the planning stages to the comprehensive support throughout your journey, we stand with you, facing every challenge together. We believe that only through sincere collaboration and continuous effort can we achieve lasting success together.
—— Coraline, CFGET CEOOriginal Author: Coraline
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Post time: Sep-04-2024
