ENEMS MICROSYSTEMS RESEARCH SPOT: building technology

Showing posts with label building technology. Show all posts

Sunday 3 September 2023

AN ASSESSMENT OF THE FACTORS AFFECTING SANITARY APPLIANCES IN TERTIARY INSTITUTION BUILDING IN NIGERIA

AN ASSESSMENT OF THE FACTORS AFFECTING SANITARY APPLIANCES IN TERTIARY INSTITUTION BUILDING IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

This study examines the multifaceted factors affecting sanitary appliances in tertiary institution buildings in Nigeria. Sanitary appliances, including toilets, sinks, showers, and related plumbing infrastructure, are indispensable components of campus infrastructure, essential for maintaining hygiene and creating a conducive learning environment. The state of these appliances can significantly impact the well-being of students, staff, and the broader academic community. The factors influencing the condition and functionality of sanitary appliances in Nigerian tertiary institutions are diverse and interrelated. Aging infrastructure, inadequate maintenance practices, unreliable water supply, and poorly designed plumbing systems contribute to the deterioration of sanitary appliances. Challenges in waste management, insufficient sewage systems, and waste disposal practices can lead to blockages and environmental contamination. Additionally, the lack of awareness about proper hygiene and sanitation practices among users, coupled with budget constraints, further exacerbates these issues. Institutional management practices, such as facility management and budget allocation, play a crucial role in addressing these challenges. Compliance with regulatory standards and codes is essential for ensuring the safety and quality of sanitary appliances. Environmental factors, including climate conditions, can impact the external components of these appliances. To address these issues effectively, Nigerian tertiary institutions must prioritize the maintenance and management of sanitary appliances. Adequate funding, efficient maintenance schedules, and educational initiatives to raise awareness about proper usage and hygiene practices are essential steps in mitigating these challenges. Community involvement and a sense of collective responsibility can foster a culture of care and respect for sanitary facilities. Technological advancements in sanitary appliance design and a commitment to environmental sustainability also offer opportunities for improvement. This research underscores the importance of addressing the factors affecting sanitary appliances in tertiary institutions to create a healthier and more conducive learning environment that promotes the well-being of all stakeholders. Ultimately, investing in the maintenance and improvement of sanitary appliances is an investment in the future of education and public health in Nigeria.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Sanitary appliance or systems are crucial infrastructure necessary for the social well-being and practical operation of an institution. The provision of public sanitary facilities has implications for public and individual health, transportation, crime preventions, urban design, economic and cultural development and social equity. Public Conveniences i.e. Toilets, Bathrooms, Urinals and Comfort rooms are provided largely in public places and institutions. These places include Markets, Motor Parks, Religious institutions, Mosques, Churches, Filling stations, Hospitals, Airports, Sporting grounds, Schools etc. The right of citizenship access to appropriate public toilets emerged in the west with the rise of modernity.

Prior to the period of enlightenment in Britain, urinating, and defecating was a public act, taking place not only in fields and gardens, but also in the streets. By the mid-19th century however, public toilets were built using the public purse to provide citizens the means to urinate or defecate in public while away from home. It is a long time however since Britain led the world with such public health foresight. In most African cities, public conveniences are lacking in terms of quality and quantity, thus residents and visitors are often left wondering where to “go”. There is therefore a real quality of life crisis looming for all of us – especially the young and older members of society. There is a real concern about both the quantity and quality of public conveniences provision in tertiary institution building in Nigeria with particular reference to Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa.

Sanitary appliances, comprising toilets, sinks, showers, and related plumbing infrastructure, are indispensable components of tertiary institution buildings. These facilities play a vital role in maintaining hygiene and sanitation within educational institutions, which are essential for fostering a conducive learning and living environment for students and staff. However, the effective functioning and longevity of sanitary appliances in Nigerian tertiary institutions have been a subject of concern, with several factors contributing to their performance and maintenance challenges.

Nigeria, a country characterized by a diverse landscape and varying socio-economic conditions, presents a unique set of challenges when it comes to the management of sanitary appliances in its tertiary institutions. This study aims to comprehensively assess these challenges, drawing attention to the factors that affect the condition and performance of sanitary appliances within this specific context.

The state of sanitary appliances in tertiary institutions can be influenced by a range of interconnected factors, including the age and condition of buildings, the availability and quality of water supply, the design and maintenance of plumbing systems, waste management practices, hygiene and sanitation awareness, institutional management, environmental factors, socio-economic conditions, regulatory compliance, and user behavior. Understanding the complex interplay of these factors is essential for developing strategies to improve the state of sanitary appliances in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

As tertiary institutions in Nigeria strive to provide quality education and ensure the well-being of their students and staff, it is imperative to address the challenges associated with sanitary appliances. This study seeks to contribute valuable insights and recommendations to enhance the maintenance and management of sanitary facilities in tertiary institution buildings, ultimately fostering a healthier and more productive educational environment.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Sanitary appliances, including toilets, sinks, showers, and related plumbing infrastructure, are indispensable for maintaining proper hygiene and sanitation in tertiary institution buildings across Nigeria. These appliances are essential for creating a healthy and conducive learning and living environment for students and staff. However, despite their critical importance, there is a pressing need to address several significant problems and challenges associated with the state of sanitary appliances in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

Inadequate Maintenance and Infrastructure Decay: Many tertiary institution buildings in Nigeria are aging, and the plumbing infrastructure, including sanitary appliances, has not received adequate maintenance or upgrades. This has resulted in a deteriorating state of these facilities, leading to frequent breakdowns, leaks, and malfunctions.

Water Supply Issues: Inconsistent and unreliable water supply is a common problem in Nigeria. The availability and quality of water can directly impact the functionality of sanitary appliances, as well as the overall hygiene and sanitation within these institutions.

Waste Management Challenges: Proper sewage systems and waste management practices are often lacking, which can lead to sewage backups, blockages, and environmental contamination, further affecting the performance and hygiene of sanitary appliances.

Hygiene and Health Risks: The deteriorating state of sanitary appliances poses significant hygiene and health risks to students, staff, and the larger institutional community. Poorly maintained or malfunctioning sanitary facilities can contribute to the spread of diseases and negatively impact the well-being of the academic community.

Financial Constraints: Tertiary institutions in Nigeria often face financial constraints, which may limit their ability to allocate adequate funds for the maintenance, repair, and replacement of sanitary appliances.

Lack of Awareness and Training: Insufficient awareness among students, staff, and maintenance personnel regarding proper usage and maintenance of sanitary appliances can exacerbate problems and lead to premature wear and tear.

Compliance with Regulations: Ensuring compliance with relevant building codes and regulations is a challenge that tertiary institutions must navigate to maintain and upgrade their sanitary facilities.

Climate and Environmental Factors: Nigeria’s diverse climate and environmental conditions can impact the performance and longevity of external components of sanitary appliances, such as pipes and outdoor facilities.

Addressing these problems is essential for creating a safe, healthy, and conducive learning environment within Nigerian tertiary institutions. This research project aims to identify, analyze, and propose solutions to these multifaceted challenges, ultimately contributing to the improvement of sanitary appliances and the overall well-being of the academic community. This statement of the problem provides a clear overview of the issues that the research project intends to investigate and offers a compelling rationale for conducting the assessment of factors affecting sanitary appliances in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

1.2 AIM

The aim of this project is to assess the factors affecting sanitary appliances in tertiary institution building in Nigeria.

1.3 OBJECTIVES

The aim would be achieved through the following objectives.

To review the concept of sanitary appliance
To identify the types of sanitary appliances in Tertiary institution building in Nigeria
Evaluation of available public sanitary facilities in Nasarawa main market.
To identify the factors affecting sanitary appliances in Nigeria tertiary institution
To identify and recommend possible solutions to these problems.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significance of a research study on “An assessment of the factors affecting sanitary appliances in tertiary institution buildings in Nigeria” lies in its potential to bring about positive changes and improvements in various aspects of tertiary education and public health in Nigeria.

Improved Hygiene and Sanitation: The study addresses issues related to the maintenance and functionality of sanitary appliances in tertiary institutions. By identifying and mitigating the factors affecting these facilities, the research can contribute to improved hygiene and sanitation practices, reducing the risk of diseases and promoting better health among students and staff.

Enhanced Learning Environment: A clean and sanitary learning environment is conducive to academic excellence. The study’s findings can lead to improvements in the physical conditions of tertiary institutions, creating a more comfortable and productive atmosphere for students and faculty.

Cost Savings: Effective maintenance and management of sanitary appliances can lead to cost savings for tertiary institutions. Identifying and addressing issues early can prevent major breakdowns and costly repairs, allowing institutions to allocate resources more efficiently.

Environmental Impact: Proper waste management and maintenance of sanitary appliances can have positive environmental implications. Reduced sewage leaks and better waste disposal practices can help protect the local ecosystem and water sources.

Public Health: Sanitary facilities play a crucial role in public health, and their proper maintenance is vital for disease prevention. The research can contribute to public health awareness and practices, benefiting not only the academic community but also the broader population.

Policy and Planning: The findings of the study can inform policymakers and educational authorities in Nigeria about the specific challenges faced by tertiary institutions regarding sanitary appliances. This information can guide the development of policies and strategies to address these challenges effectively.

Research Gap Filling: The study may fill gaps in existing research related to sanitary facilities in tertiary institutions in Nigeria. It can serve as a valuable resource for future researchers and policymakers looking to understand and address similar issues.

In summary, the significance of the study lies in its potential to address critical issues related to hygiene, sanitation, and infrastructure maintenance within Nigerian tertiary institutions. By identifying and addressing these factors, the research can contribute to healthier and more conducive learning environments, cost savings, and positive impacts on public health and the environment.

1.5 SCOPE

The scope of the study covers the assessment of the factors affecting sanitary appliances in tertiary institution building in Nigeria with particular references to Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa.

1.6 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Identifying and acknowledging the limitations of a research study is a critical aspect of research transparency and integrity. It helps to set realistic expectations for the scope and generalizability of the study’s findings. In the context of the project titled “An assessment of the factors affecting sanitary appliances in tertiary institution buildings in Nigeria,” here are some limitations experienced:

Sample Size and Selection Bias: The study’s findings may be limited by the sample size and selection process. If the sample is not representative of all tertiary institutions in Nigeria or is biased towards certain regions or types of institutions, the results may not be fully generalizable.

Data Availability: Data availability and accessibility can be a limitation. Some institutions may not have comprehensive records or may be unwilling to share data related to the maintenance and condition of sanitary appliances.

Data Accuracy: The accuracy of data collected from tertiary institutions and other sources may vary. Errors or inconsistencies in the data could impact the validity of the study’s findings.

Resource Constraints: The research project may be limited by budget and time constraints. These limitations could impact the depth and breadth of data collection, analysis, and the ability to conduct on-site assessments at a wide range of institutions.

It’s essential for the researchers to acknowledge these limitations upfront and discuss how they have mitigated or considered these issues in the study design and analysis. Additionally, highlighting the potential implications of these limitations on the study’s findings and conclusions is important for maintaining research integrity.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Defining key terms in a research study is essential to ensure that all readers have a clear understanding of the terminology used in the context of the study.

Sanitary Appliances: Sanitary appliances refer to fixtures and equipment within a building, such as toilets, sinks, showers, and related plumbing infrastructure, designed for personal hygiene and waste disposal.

Tertiary Institution: Tertiary institutions, also known as higher education institutions, include universities, colleges, and other educational establishments that offer post-secondary education, including undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

Factors: Factors are elements or variables that influence a particular phenomenon or outcome. In the context of the study, factors refer to various aspects or conditions that impact the condition, functionality, and maintenance of sanitary appliances in tertiary institutions.

Assessment: Assessment involves the process of evaluating or examining the current state or condition of something. In this study, it refers to the systematic evaluation of the factors affecting sanitary appliances in tertiary institution buildings.

Maintenance: Maintenance refers to the activities and processes involved in preserving, repairing, or keeping sanitary appliances and related infrastructure in good working condition.

Infrastructure: Infrastructure encompasses the physical facilities, systems, and structures necessary for the operation of an organization or institution. In this study, it includes the plumbing systems, sewage systems, and related components that support sanitary appliances.

Water Supply: Water supply refers to the provision of clean and safe water for various uses, including drinking, cleaning, and flushing in tertiary institution buildings.

Waste Management: Waste management involves the proper handling, disposal, and treatment of waste materials, including sewage and wastewater, to minimize environmental and health hazards.

Hygiene: Hygiene refers to practices and behaviors that promote cleanliness and health, particularly in the context of personal and environmental cleanliness.

Socio-Economic Factors: Socio-economic factors include aspects related to the social and economic conditions within a given context. In this study, it may encompass issues such as funding, economic challenges, and community dynamics affecting sanitary appliance maintenance.

Regulatory Compliance: Regulatory compliance involves adhering to relevant laws, rules, and regulations governing building standards, sanitation, and safety.

User Behavior: User behavior refers to the actions and habits of individuals, including students, staff, and maintenance personnel, in their interactions with sanitary appliances and related facilities.

Environmental Factors: Environmental factors encompass conditions and elements in the natural environment that may affect sanitary appliances, such as climate, weather, and geographic location.

Institutional Management: Institutional management involves the administrative and organizational practices and policies employed by tertiary institutions to oversee facility management, including sanitary appliance maintenance.

Community Responsibility: Community responsibility refers to the collective sense of duty and accountability shared by the members of a tertiary institution’s community in ensuring the proper use and maintenance of sanitary appliances.

These definitions provide clarity regarding the terminology used in the research study and help ensure a common understanding among researchers, readers, and stakeholders involved in the assessment of factors affecting sanitary appliances in Nigerian tertiary institution buildings.

Monday 20 February 2023

BASIC PROPERTY OF CALCINED SOLDIER ANT MOUND ON CONCRETE AS POZZOLAN

BASIC PROPERTY OF CALCINED SOLDIER ANT MOUND ON CONCRETE AS POZZOLAN

ABSTRACT

This research aim at evaluating the basic property of calcined soldier ant mound on concrete as pozzolan. The SAMC was collected from a nearby farm in Gidan kwano campus F.U.T Minna Niger state, and it was finely grinded and sieved using 75µm sieve size. This research is purely a laboratory work which involved series of tests, such as sieve analysis, specific gravity, bulk density, moisture content, atterberg limit, consistency test, soundness test, absorption test, permeability test, abrasion test and compressive strength test. A total of Eighty-one (81) 100mm x 100mm x 100mm cubes sizes were cast with fifty-four (54) having cement replaced with soldier-Ant mound clay at 10% and 20%.The cubes were then cured and crushed at 28 and 42 days respectively. Water/cement ratio of 0.65 was adopted for the mix. Result indicates that the addition of SAMC in the mix increases the initial and final setting time of the paste. the result obtained from chemical analysis shows the combined percentage of Al₂0₃ + Fe₂0₃ + Si0₂ to be 87.42%.The density of SAMC concrete increases with an increased in hydration period, the average percentage water absorption increases with an increased in the hydration period. The result obtained for compressive strength of SAMC concrete indicate that, there was an increased with increase in hydration period which the average compressive strength of 42days hydration period is higher than that of 28days. Abrasion test result show that abrasion increases with increase in duration for both normal and SAMC concrete. For permeability, the values obtained are in agreement with those found in literature and there is no significant difference in value for that of normal and SAMC concrete.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The mainly accepted and utilized conventional material in the construction sector is concrete, because of its satisfying operation in strength demands and its capability to be formed into different kind of shapes and sizes. But the characteristic features of concrete which includes resistance to chemical attack that leads to change in volume, concrete cracking and the consequent deterioration of concrete are what to be concerned, Reddy and Marcelina (2006), defined Concrete durability as the ability of concrete to withstand deterioration from freezing and thawing, heating and cooling,

Cement is to be considered as the most common conventional material for most construction activities, therefore, if there is a little change in its cost, bring substantial effect on the overall cost of construction. To decrease over dependency on conventional building materials, particularly cement and also tackling the problem of seven percent carbon dioxide release to air (Rashid 2010), researches have been carried out on substitute materials that can be used in replacing cement wholly or partially for the purpose of construction. (Dashan and Kamang, 1999; Okoli and Zubairu, 2002; Adam and Agib, 2003); shown that an alternative could be found to replace cement wholly or partially for construction purposes. In cement industries, efforts are being made to reduce the price of cement, to reduce the using up of raw materials, to guard the environment, and to improve the value of cement. One way is to use some materials that are cheaper for partial replacement of cement clinker. Cheaper materials used are industrial and agricultural by products (wastes). Combination of Portland cement and the aforementioned by products are referred to as mixed cement or composite cement. Mixed cement can be defined as hydraulics binders that part of ordinary Portland cement is substituted with another hydraulic or non-hydraulic constituents.

Dwivedi, Das, Singh, & singh, (2006), stated that, the most common constituent for mixing with Portland cement are pozzolanic elements like pozzolanas: husk ash, condensed silica fume, fly ash, rice burnt clay or filler components like lime, stone and other waste product. But for the purpose of this research, Soldier Ant mound clay (SAMC) would be used as partial replacement of cement so as to assess its durability. Termites are recognized as insects of the order of Isoptera with almost three thousand known species, which seventy-five percent are categorized as soil-feeding termites. They are known as ecosystem engineers(Dangerfield et al.,1998), because they encourage soil transformations by disturbance procedures. Termite’s action increases the quantity of organic matter and alters the composition of clay mineral in soils that used for constructing their nests,(Awadzi T.Cobblah M.A 2004). Termites increase soil permeability with boring and poke the soil profile foam building construction. Termite mound are usually located in tropical regions especially Africa. The mounds height is more than a little meters. Termite mounds constitute of materials from implicit in soils. A reported has shown that African farmers gather termite mound material and use it in cropped field as it can be rich in existing nitrogen, overall phosphorus, and organic carbon than ordinary soil (Lopez Hernandez D. 2001).

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The continual increase in the cost of cement as conventional building material leads to increase in the total cost of construction works which houses are not easily affordable to an average man. Therefore, an alternative material is to be used as partial replacement of cement. This brings the needs for termite mound Ant clay to solve this problem. Before cement/samc concrete can be efficiently use for structural uses in building construction at large, some basic design parameters relating its performance characteristics should be developed. These characteristics include those connected to strength, serviceability and durability and the likes. The aforementioned properties usually contribute positively to durability performances of structural components.

1.3 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significance of this study can be acceptable from several perspectives. It is significance to stakeholders like contractors, governing bodies, building and civil engineering activities, construction sectors and the general republic which they all involve in building tasks, and concrete is the most widely use constituent which this study aims at it characteristic performance by introducing SAMC as partial replacement of cement and however keeping good feature and durable. In a long run, cuts down the cost of overall building projects which makes it low-cost to afford.

1.4 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The aim of this research is to evaluate the basic property of calcined soldier ant mound on concrete as pozzolan

The main objectives of this research are as follow:

To determine the physical and chemical properties of soldier ant mound clay (SAMC).
To determine the absorption and permeability of soldier-Ant mound concrete.
To compare the abrasion of SAMC concrete with the normal concrete.

1.5 RESEARCH METHOD

The methodology that will be adopted in this study work is fundamentally practical experiment which implies the research and testing of newly and harden concrete specimen. Sharp sand, granite, and soldier- Ant mound clay will be collected. The experiment will involve soldier-Ant mound clay used as partial replacement of cement at 10%, 20% respectively.

Practical prelim tests that was carried out on samplings to used in this study, such as sieve analysis, specific gravity, bulk density, moisture content, Atterberg limit (liquid limit, plastic limit, and plasticity index) consistency, setting time,(initial and final), soundness test slump test. After each specified period of curing, the following test will be carried out i.e. compressive strength test, absorption test, abrasion test and permeability test.

Table 1.5 Summary of laboratory test to be carry out on the materials

Aggregates		Cement	Soldier-Ant mound clay (SAMC)	Concrete
Fine	Course	Cement	Soldier-Ant mound clay (SAMC)	Concrete
Sieve analysis	Sieve analysis	Consistency test, Setting time (initial and final)	Atterberg limit (liquid limit, plastic limit and plasticity index)	Slump test
Specific gravity	Specific gravity	Soundness test	Moisture content	Compressive strength test
Moisture content	–	–	Specific gravity	Permeability Test
Bulk density	Bulk density	–	Bulk density	Absorption test

1.6 SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS

This study would concentrate on investigating the compressive strength and durability of soldier ant mound clay (SAMC) concrete and plain concrete as a control mix. The plain concrete compose of cement, water and aggregates which would consider as a control mix without replacement with SAMC (SAMC-0%).A maximum of two (2) series of concrete mix design with SAMC as partial replacement of cement (10% and 20%) would be use. There was no beam or slab casting and a mould of 100mmx100mmx100mm was used for the concrete cubes in the lab not on the site.

Monday 16 January 2023

THE APPRAISAL OF ENERGY SAVING MEASURES IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

ABSTRACT

Energy saving measures within the built environment refers to specific strategies undertaken to achieve energy efficiency and conservation in buildings. The residential building is a hub for individuals from various backgrounds, cultures and all works of life. It was observed that in most parts of Minna, Niger state, there is no constant supply of electricity as it is in other parts of Nigeria. Nigerians are capable of exhibiting a nonchalant attitude towards anything that they think does not affect them directly. This shows justification of relevance for carrying out this research on the appraisal of energy saving measures in the built environment with Bosso estate as a case study. The aim of this research is to evaluate various energy saving measures in the man made surrounding so as to determine the behavioral and technological approach of occupants towards energy saving measures. For this research, literature reviews concerning energy saving measures was done, so as to identify the various energy saving measures available. The descriptive survey design was employed, the use of questionnaires and interviews as the major sources of gathering data, where various energy saving measures was identified to be ticked appropriately as practiced by respondents. A total of sixty-five questionnaires was distributed, forty-four questionnaires was received making a response rate of 67.69%. 65.9% of the respondents used prepaid meters, 34.1% used postpaid meters, 34.1% used incandescent bulbs, 50% used compact fluorescent lamps and 15.9% use both. 93.2% of the respondents’ switch of all outdoor lighting during the day, 6.8% of them do not. 50% of the respondents set appliances on standby mode, the other 50% do not. 75% of the respondents use multiple appliances simultaneously, 25% of the do not while 11.4% of the respondents are influenced by manufacturers, 9.1% of them by size, 18.2% by energy rating, 11.4% of them by price and 6.8% of them are influenced by both beauty and price. This study concluded that most of the residents who are energy conscious are those with the prepaid meters, a large portion of them are aware of energy saving measures but cannot properly define and practice them and that resident that use postpaid meters exhibit energy intensive behaviors. Finally it is recommended that the government make policies that will gradually phase-out the use of incandescent bulbs and promote the practice of other energy saving measures, create awareness and sensitize the people about the benefits of energy saving measures, the use of prepaid meters should be made mandatory and all energy saving measures to be discussed should be practiced.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF RESEARCH

Energy in our present time is said to be the backbone of recent developmental trends. The incisive and increasing instalments to cater for human energy use around the later stages of the 18th century has changed the order of the society. All stages and categories of our modern life have traces of inclusive energy imprint at every turn. Energy can be virtually translated in terms of recreational, agricultural, industrial, transformational and institutional purposes. Being the bedrock of modern development, the use of energy is almost directly proportional to the degree of commercial, agricultural and industrial productivity activities. Use of energy in virtually all spheres of life originated from the industrial revolution and definitely brought forth enormous rise in the level of productivity and a drastic change in individuals’ lifestyles. (Awwad & Mohammed, 2007).

Oil and gas is the life-blood of Nigeria’s crawling development and stagnant economic growth. It has an essential say in Nigeria’s diplomatic relations with the world, most importantly it portrays itself and obviously it is a commodity which can be bought and sold with massive generation of earnings which significantly transforms an underdeveloped nation to a developing or developed nation if properly managed. (Sambo, 2009).

“Although Nigeria is relatively endowed with abundant fossil fuels, the energy situation in the country is yet to be structured and managed in such a way as to ensure sustainable energy development. As a nation that has limited technological capacity but sees industrialization as constituting a crucial leverage and precondition for meaningful development, Nigeria should be wise enough to manage her scarce energy resources judiciously. As a matter of utmost importance, industrialists, civil servants, researchers, government officers, and students inclusive in Nigeria should take advantage of opportunities in low level, low risk but high worth energy-efficient measures that reduce the bottom line of any business enterprise” (Unachukwu, 2003). Nigeria has a lot reserves of oil and natural gas, coupled with coal but at present rate of extraction and the high rate of mismanagement and technical blunders, it has been forecasted that it will take only 4oyears for this reserves to be depleted to such a level that it will be virtually uneconomical to tap and export the oil. (ECN-UNDP, 2007).

Energy consumption in buildings has become a focal point in global discourses towards sustainable development and its wider interconnections with the environment. Studies have shown that energy consumption of the built environment exceeds that of other sectors, including transportation, in many parts of the world (Brown, 2010) and (Perez-Lombard, Ortiz&Pout2008). For example, in the US, buildings consume as much as 48% and 76% total energy and electricity respectively. In addition, buildings account for a significant proportion of greenhouse gas emissions (Kasozi, & Tutesigensi, 2007). More so, researches show that commercial buildings and office buildings in particular, account for significant amount of energy consumed by buildings in many parts of the world including the US, Hong Kong, UK and China (Iqbal &Al-Homoud, 2007).

Thus, it has become paramount that energy consumption in such buildings is rationalised so as to reduce the potential adverse environmental impacts (Li &EAI, 2008).

This research will review the various ways of saving energy in the built environment that is available to the occupants of the built environment. Over time, occupants of built environment have developed a nonchalant attitude towards energy saving measures. The study will also look at the various inefficient use of energy in the built environment and suggest best possible ways of effectively saving energy in the built environment.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The glaring benefits of energy saving measures in terms of economic and social aspects of life and the lack of access to energy efficient devices used in the built environment are hindrances to maximizing the limited energy that are available for use in the man-made surrounding. This is also coupled with the fact that there is practically little or no access to data’s of individual energy consumption.

In view of this, it is relevant to bring forth energy savings measures that will assist in the reduction of energy used in the built environment. For the benefit of this research the following questions arises:

What are the various behavioural and technical approaches to energy saving by the occupants of the built environment?
What are the variousenergy saving measures and how can they be adopted in the built environment?
What are the efficient ways of eliciting for information which will serve as a guide to draft policies for energy use?

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES

Aim

The aim of this research is to evaluate the various energy saving measures in the man-made surrounding in order to determine behavioral and technological approach of occupants towards energy saving measures.

1.3.2 Objectives of Study

To determine the behavioural and technological approach of occupants towards energy saving measures.
To identify energy saving measures and how it can be adopted within a built environment
To bring forth proper information that willaid the drafting of policies which will in turn provide a suitable regulatory regarding saving energy in the built environment.
1. JUSTIFICATION OF STUDY

There is a need for energy saving measures in the built environment due to the insufficient energy available for use in the built environment. The study will be essential to all built environment users, be it the government owned one’s or the privately controlled one’s. It will provide a thorough analysis of different energy savings measures in the built environment.

METHODOLOGY

The use of questionnaires will be adopted, which will be distributed at the locale of the study. A review of existing literature will be the primary source of gathering information and data for the report. Physical survey, focused group discussions and interview with key informants will also be adopted.

SCOPE AND LIMITATION

The research is focused on identifying the various energy saving measures in the built environments of Bosso Estate, Bosso Local Government Area of Minna, Niger state so as to present the best ways of using energy more efficiently. Target respondent for this research will be the occupants of the built environment. The study will not capture the various sources of energy being used in the built environment and will exclude every other part of Minna apart from the locale of the study.

Wednesday 28 December 2022

ASSESSMENT OF PROJECT TIME CONTROL IN SELECTED INDIGENOUS BUILDING CONSTRUCTION FIRMS

ABSTRACT

This study assessed the project time control in selected indigenous building construction firms. Specifically the study determine and assessed the method used in project time control with the view of proffering solutions the problems of project time overrun in indigenous construction firms in Nigeria. Descriptive survey approach was adopted and structured questionnaire was used to gather data from the research population. In analysis of the data collected, the researcher employed statistical method of data analysis for accuracy. The findings of the study shows that a successful project management ensures the completion of project in time, within budget, and to the project specifications. Thus, the study clearly shows that the indigenous building construction firms in Nigeria make use of gnat bar chart and critical path methods in managing project time and this methods were found to be very effective in delivering project within the stipulated time and budget, indigenous building construction firms in Nigeria were not able to delivered project on time due to the factors such as equipment, scope of the project, quality of work and personnel of the construction firm comprising the skilled and unskilled labour. Finally the study revealed that the problems of project time control in indigenous building construction firms in Abuja can be solved by ensuring availability of equipments and materials on site, proper training and experience of project manager and the adoption of the right project management techniques.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Project execution involves time, cost and quality management. Therefore, close management control of projects is required if they are to be completed within the established time and cost limitations. Project Management Institute (PMI, 1996) defines “project management” as the overall planning, control and coordination of building project from inception to completion stage, aimed at meeting a client’s requirement in order that the project is completed on time within a target cost as planned and to required quality standard.

Many of the construction industries influential clients are hiring a project manager to be the most effective way to procure a new facility, whether it is a multi storey office block, housing development, health or educational building etc. It is essential that in ensuring effectiveness and time conscious service, the project should be under the management system and control of the competent practitioners with a proven track record developed from practical involvement on site execution of construction project.

The survey on project time control in building shows that most projects encounter cost and time over-runs (Williams, Ackermann and Eden, 2002, pl92). According to Wright (1997)’s research, a good rule of thumb is to add a minimum of 50% to every time estimate, and 50% to the first estimate of the budget (Gardiner and Stewart, 1998, p251). It indicates that project is very complex and full of challenge. Many unexpected issues will lead the project cost and time over-runs. Therefore, many technologies and methods are developed for successful monitoring and control to lead the project to success. In this article, we will discuss in the construction phase, how a project manager be successful in time and cost control. An activity duration estimate must be based on the quantity of resources expected to be used on the activity. The estimate should be aggressive, yet realistic. Throughout the performance of the project some activities will take longer than their estimated duration, others will be done in less time than their estimated duration, and a few may conform to duration estimates exactly. Over the life of a project that involves many activities, such delays and accelerations will tend to cancel out one another.

In order to establish a basis from which to calculate a schedule using the duration estimates for the activities, it’s necessary to select the estimated start time and required completion time for overall project. These times define overall window or envelope, of time in which the project must be completed. The projects required completion time is normally part of the project objective and stated in the contract. Once the, estimated duration for each activity in the network and an overall window of time in which the project must be completed, you have to decide whether the activities can be done by the required completion time. The key to effective project time control is to measure actual progress and compare it to planned progress on a timely and regular basis and to take necessary corrective action immediately. The project time control process involves regularly gathering data on project performance, comparing with the planned performance. This process must occur regularly throughout the project. It starts with establishing a baseline plan that shows how the project scope will be accomplished on time and within the budget. Once this baseline plan is agreed with the customer the project starts. A regular reporting period should be established for comparing the actual progress with the planned progress. Reporting may be daily, weekly, or monthly depending on the complexity and the duration of the project. During each reporting period, two kinds of data or information need to be collected.

This study came up as a result of project time overrun of building production from inception to the completion stage. As a result of this, thisstudy described a procedure for identifying the cost of reducing project time so that comparism can be made with the benefit of getting theproject completed sooner. The method requires gathering direct and indirect cost for specific project duration. Critical activities are searched tofind lowest direct cost activities that will shortened the project duration. Total cost for specific project duration are computed and thencompared with the benefit of reducing project time before the project begins or at the course of the project.

1.2 NEED FOR THE STUDY

Successful project management insures the completion of project in time, within budget, and to the project specifications. An evaluation of project time control in building construction in Nigeria will enable Clients, Contractors and Consultants give an economic/viable approach to construction project work such that they would be able to eliminate and calculate cost of projects, construction delay and reduce its occurrence in construction.

Therefore, this study is significant to investigate on how time is managed on construction industry. So that the managerial staffs can get a clear understanding on time management and they are able to prevent them early. Shareholders need to know their roles and their responsibilities. Construction works need to have a good and detail progress records to deal with future claims. This study is to let the managerial staff to know the importance of monitoring the progress of work on construction industry. Lastly, this study can become a guideline for future development in other possible areas.

1.3 STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS

Construction industry contribute significantly to the Gross Domestic Product of Nigeria annually, however, construction has been facing numerous issues and one of them is time management issues which have cause delayed completion of a project (Yusof, el tal, 2004). According to Westland (2006), time management is the process of recording and controllingtime spent by staff on the project. The issues are poor management of time, choice of procurement methods, participation of shareholders, poor planning of construction works, lack of implementation of software, poor siterecords and etc. Thus these issues can lead to delays are insidious often resulting in time overrun, cost overrun,disputes, litigation, and complete abandonment of projects (Westland, 2006). Hence, this paper will look into the issues mentionedto minimize and avoid delay in any construction project. A research conducted by the Chartered Industry of Building (CIOB, 2008) has indicated that the quality of time-management on construction projects is generally poor. Theresearch also indicates that the growth in training, education and skill levels within the industry in the use of timemanagementtechniques has not kept pace with the technology available. In addition, there are also very few projectsare currently managed by reference to modern methods of time control. Ahmed et al. Yusof, el tal, (2004) found that delay happen inevery construction project and the magnitude of these delays varies considerably from project to project. Some projectsare only a few days behind schedule and some are delayed by over a year. Also, conflicts in shareholders are one ofthe factors of unsuccessful projects. El-Razek et al (2017) identified that different parties of construction in Egyptianconstruction projects do not agree with each other on the importance of various factors of delay, and they mostlyblaming each other of delays. He too finds that team effort is vital in the success of a project. Liberatore et al (2018) hasmentioned that high percentage of the construction respondents used project management software for general workplanning or presentation. The problems were lack ofan organized and formalized approach, lack of clear rules and guidelines on how the records are kept and organized,difficulties in ensuring the consistency of reporting by various responsible individuals, inexperience staffs and etc. Therefore, the importance of project control techniques in managing time to improve the risk of delayed project are needed to be known and recognize so that the risk of project delayed can be minimized.

1.4 AIM AND OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

1.4.1 Aim

The aim of this study is to assess project time control in some selected indigenous building construction firms.

1.4.2 Objectives

The specific objectives include:

Determine the method used in project time control
Assess the methods used in project time control
Proffer solution to the best method to be used in project time control

1.5 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The secondary data will be collected through the literature review of journals, textbooks, past projects, handbooks, in order to access the major causes of cost and time overrun in construction industries. The primary data will be collected from principal actors in the construction industry through the use of questionnaire, archival records, physical artifacts and direct observations. Data collected and analyzed will be presented using pie chart, histogram, and tables.

SCOPE

This research is limited to examining project time control in building construction in Nigeria and proffering solutions on how to minimize building project cost and time overruns in Nigeria. The research study area is limited to projects in the Abuja the Federal Capital Territory because there is an ease access in obtaining data in the study area (Abuja) by the researcher.

The principal actors in the construction industry namely; the Client, the Consultant and the Contractor are the principal correspondent.

Thursday 2 June 2022

MATERIAL MANAGEMENT

MATERIAL MANAGEMENT

Material management can be defined as a process that coordinates planning, assessing the requirement, sourcing, purchasing, transporting, storing and controlling of materials, minimizing the wastage and optimizing the profitability by reducing cost of material. Building materials account for 60 to 70 percent of direct cost of a project or a facility, the remaining 30 to 40 percent being the labour cost.

Materials management is a process for planning, executing and controlling field and office activities in construction. The goal of materials management is to insure that construction materials are available at their point of use when needed. The materials management system attempts to insure that the right quality and quantity of materials are appropriately selected, purchased, delivered and handled on site in a timely manner and at a reasonable cost.

Materials management is the system for planning and controlling all of the efforts necessary to ensure that the correct quality and quantity of materials are properly specified in a timely manner, are obtained at a reasonable cost and most importantly are available at the point of use when required.

Thus Materials management is an important element in project management. Materials represent a major expense in construction, so minimizing procurement costs improves opportunities for reducing the overall project costs. Poor materials management can result in increased costs during construction. Efficient management of materials can result in substantial savings in project costs. If materials are purchased too early, capital may be held up and interest charges incurred on the excess inventory of materials.

Materials may deteriorate during storage or get stolen unless special care is taken. Delays and extras expenses may be incurred if materials required for particular activities are unavailable. Ensuring a timely flow of materials is an important concern of material management.

For effectively managing and controlling materials, the performance of materials management should be measured. A performance measure calculates the effective working of a function. These performance measures may differ from system to system. The measures divide the materials management system in parts and make the working of the system more efficient. When joined, the measures make the complete materials management system.

Components of Material Management

Components of material management are:

ü Material estimation, budgeting, planning and programming.

ü Scheduling , purchasing and procurement

ü Receiving and inspection.

ü Inventory control, storage and warehousing

ü Material handling and transport

ü Waste management

OBJECTIVES OF MATERIALS MANAGEMENT

· Efficient materials planning

· Buying or Purchasing

· Procuring and receiving

· Storing and inventory control

· Supply and distribution of materials

· Quality assurance

· Good supplier and customer relationship

· Improved departmental efficiency

To fulfill all these objectives, it is necessary to establish harmony and good co-ordination between all the employees of material management department and this department should have good co-ordination with the other departments of the organization to serve all production centers.

FUNCTIONS OF MATERIALS MANAGEMENT

The functions of materials management are discussed below:

In order to fulfill the objectives of materials management as stated above to meet the basic objectives and goals, the functions of the materials management are also categorized as primary and secondary functions.

(I) Primary Functions

To meet the primary objectives, the primary functions of the materials management are given as follows:

· Materials Requirements Planning (MRP)

· Purchasing

· Inventory Planning and Control

· Ascertaining and Maintaining the Flow and Supply of Materials

· Quality Control of Materials

· Departmental Efficiency

(II) Secondary Functions

· Standardization and Simplification

· Make and Buy Decisions

· Coding and Classification of Materials

· Forecasting and Planning

Reference

Khyomesh and Chetna ( 2011). Construction materials management on project sites. National Conference on Recent Trends in Engineering & Technology B.V.M. Engineering College, V.V.Nagar,Gujarat, India.

Sunday 8 May 2022

BUILDING MAINTENANCE

Maintenance is the work of keeping something (property) in proper condition, care or upkeep including: taking steps to avoid something breaking down (preventative maintenance) and bringing something back to working order (corrective maintenance).

Buildings cannot remain new throughout their entire life. All buildings start to deteriorate from the moment they are completed, and at that time the need for maintenance begins. A newly completed building also requires maintenance.

Moreover, it is not possible to replace or rebuild all buildings at one time. The value of a building decreases unless maintenance is carried out on the building (A. S. Ali, Kamaruzzaman, Sulaiman, & Cheong Peng, 2010; Lateef, Khamidi, & Idrus, 2011). Further, building maintenance and the performance of the building constantly affect people’s comfort and productivity. Maintenance works are the only way to maintain and increase the value of the property.

With the increasing costs of new construction, the effective maintenance of the existing building stock has become even more important. Increasingly, building owners are beginning to accept that it is not in their best interest to carry out maintenance in a purely reactive manner, but that it should be planned and managed as efficiently as any other corporate activity (D. Arditi & M. Nawakorawit, 1999).

Knowing that, it is impossible to produce buildings that are maintenance free, yet maintenance work can be minimized by good design and proper workmanship carried out by skilled experts or competent craftsmen using suitable codes of installation and requisite building materials and methods (Adenuga & Iyagba, 2005).

AIMS OF MAINTENANCE

The primary aim of maintaining a building is to ensure that the building continue to serve the purpose for which it was put up. The purposes for which maintenances are undertaken include:

(I) To maintain the value of a building- a better maintained building normally has greater value, however, increased value may be marginal as location and size of site all play an important in the determination of value(S. Afranie and E. Osei-Tutu, 1999)

(II) To ensure optimum use of buildings- good maintenance should allow buildings to be used to their full potential

(III) To create or maintain suitable appearance- can make a positive contribution to external environment and social conditions. Dilapidated buildings can contribute to social deprivation and badly maintained services and facilities, waste energy and resources and can affect the environment

(IV) To maximize the life of main components and materials- maintenance can reduce cost of subsequent maintenance by extending periods between repairs and replacements;

(V) To ensure that buildings do not detract from surroundings and also maintain a suitable appearance.

TYPES OF MAINTENANCE

BS 3811 categorizes building maintenance by means of the following terms and definitions.

i. Planned maintenance: The maintenance organized and carried out with forethought, control and the use of records to a predetermined plan.

ii. Unplanned maintenance: The plan carried out to no predetermined plan. It refers to work necessitated by unforeseen breakdown or damages. For example, the ripping-off of a building, through the action of a storm, and its remedial action constitute unforeseen damages. It can also be termed unexpected and unavoidable maintenance.

iii. Preventive maintenance: The maintenance carried out at predetermined intervals or corresponding to prescribed criteria and intended to reduce the probability of failure or the performance degradation of an item.

iv. Corrective maintenance: The maintenance carried out after a failure has occurred and intended to restore an item to a state in which it can perform its required function.

v. Emergency maintenance: “The maintenance which it is necessary to put in hand immediately to avoid serious consequences.” This is referred to as day-to-day maintenance, resulting from such incidents as gas leaks and gale damage.

vi. Condition-based maintenance: “The preventive maintenance initiated as a result of knowledge of the condition of an item from routine or continuous monitoring.

vii. Scheduled maintenance: The preventive maintenance carried out to a predetermined interval of time, number of operations, mileage, etc.

viii. Running maintenance: “Maintenance which can be carried out whilst an item is in service.

COMPONENTS OF MAINTENANCE

Maintenance involves a considerable amount of work which Harper (1969) as cited in (S. Afranie and E. Osei-Tutu, 1999) has been categorized into three components namely; Servicing, Rectification and Replacement.

1. Servicing: Servicing is essentially a clearing operation undertaken at regular intervals of varying frequency and is sometimes termed day-to-day maintenance. Daily sweeping of floors, monthly washing and cleaning of windows and regular painting for decoration and protection every four years are some examples of servicing.

2. Rectification: Rectification work usually occurs fairly early in the life of a building; but it can also occur sometime within the life span of the building. It arises from shortcoming in design, inherent fault in or unsuitability of component, damage of goods in transit or installation and incorrect assembly. Rectification represents a fruitful point at which to reduce the costs of maintenance, because it is available.

3. Replacement: Replacements occur at all costs in buildings. It is inevitable because service conditions cause materials to decay at different rates. Much replacement work stems not so much from physical breakdown of the materials or element as from deterioration of the appearance (Seeley, 1987). This is because the extent of exposure of materials to the vagaries of the weather varies, and the weather in specific locations also vary whilst the capacity of elements of buildings in withstanding changes and different intensities of the weather vary. This therefore becomes necessary as a result of material decay due to these differential rates of weather conditions. Physical breakdown of materials or elements as well as deterioration appearance may necessitate replacements.