(Ecns.cn)—Despite the remaining safety concerns over its fire-protection infrastructure, the 500-meter-high skyscraper, the tallest building-to-be in Beijing, was hailed with a groundbreaking ceremony last Monday in the city's central business district (CBD).
The 108-story building, called China Zun, is shaped like a zun, an ancient Chinese wine vessel, and will be completed within five years. However, "the current fire-protection infrastructure designs are likely to be denied by the Municipal Fire Department," said Ma Jianmin, an official from the bureau.
According to Ma, though the most advanced fire lifts are to be equipped in the skyscraper, "they can't be helpful once a fire has paralyzed the electric power system."
The building's top floor will function as a sightseeing platform and café, providing visitors with a panoramic view of the CBD, according to the developer CITIC Group.
This, however, stirs another safety concern. It's stipulated in law that a parking apron as well as a refuge story should be designed in such a high building. The China Zun might fail to meet this standard.
"It will take two more years to improve the design proposals for the fire-protection system in the building," said Wu Chen, one of the main designers of China Zun.
