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The National Disaster Management Organization, (NADMO) was established by Act

517 of 1996 to manage disasters and similar emergencies in Ghana. The Act inter alia,
makes NADMO responsible for the implementation of Government policy on Disaster
Prevention, Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Management as well as the
implementation of National, Regional and District Disaster Management Plans.

It is known worldwide, that most natural and man-made disasters are exacerbated or
mitigated by the nature of houses and structures in affected communities and NADMO,
as far back as 1998 recognized the need for hazard resistant buildings, especially
earthquake and flood resistant structures in earthquake and flood prone areas in the
country. NADMO also recognizes the need for building regulations and codes that
adequately incorporate standards for the design and construction of buildings in disaster
prone areas.

In Ghana currently, there is serious indiscipline in the building industry resulting from:
:
Inadequate or non-enforcement of existing building regulations and by laws
Lack of building inspectors
Decline in the use of the services of professionals in the building industry and
most dwelling houses are built with little or no professional architectural or
engineering advice.
Rate of development out-pacing the rate of plan preparation
Building plots are sold and bought without reference to planning schemes.
Many buildings are sited in hazardous areas such as flood plains and on
expansive soils.

This has made most buildings vulnerable to disasters especially earthquakes, fires and
floods. Accessibility to these buildings is poor and in emergencies, response agencies
are not able to operate efficiently resulting in the loss of lives and property.

NADMO, in collaboration with various stake holders has initiated action to ensure that
the National Building Regulations are revised and updated and National Building Codes
and standards adapted to regulate the building industry.
A draft Building Code prepared by the Building and Road Research Institute (BRRI)
since 1990 is to be adopted as a national document and the revision of the National
Building Regulations is progressing.

In the mean time NADMO has found it appropriate to manage the situation by coming
out with a National Building Guide (NBG) to equip artisans and developers with basic
knowledge for the construction of lightly loaded structures in hazard prone areas of
Ghana as part of its disaster risk reduction strategies.
This guide is not meant to replace the National Building Regulations or Building Codes
when they are available. It is also not a substitute for the services of trained
professionals like Architects and Engineers. It is always safer to have trained
professionals design and construct buildings. NADMO recommends that the services of
building professionals are used as much as possible.
However it has been observed that a very large number of people do not use the
services of professionals but build with the help of artisans only. The NBG is meant to
provide guidance for developers when professional help is not readily available.

NADMO wishes to express its gratitude to the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) and the various stake holders for their assistance in the preparation of this
building guide.
In recent times, there has been a trend towards increasing occurrence of natural and
manmade disasters that may be associated with other environmental issues, such as:

Global climate change.


Inappropriate location of structures near natural hazard zones.
Increased population and population density.
Growth in natural hazard zones.
Urban growth.
Inadequate or non-enforcement of building codes and regulations.

The consequences have increased human suffering, loss of life, and economic losses.
In response, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) was
established by an Act of Parliament (Act 517) dated September 1996 to manage
disasters and similar emergencies in Ghana.

NADMO recognises that building safer houses that could better withstand the
devastating effects of disasters contributes to disaster prevention and with the
assistance of the UNDP prepared this National Building Guide for the use of artisans
and developers in the construction of lightly loaded structures

The aim of this guide is to equip artisans and developers with basic knowledge for the
construction of lightly loaded structures in hazard prone areas of Ghana.

The building guide applies to buildings of two


building area not exceeding 220m2and which are intended to be used for residential
business, mercantile and medium and low hazard industrial occupancy.

The National Building Guide gives guidance on:


i. Site investigation
ii. Selection of Building Materials
iii. Construction of the Substructure and Superstructure
iv. Finishes and External Works.

DISASTERS AND HAZARDS

Disasters that may occur in Ghana have been classified into six groups.
i. Pest and Insect Infestation
ii. Disease Epidemics
iii. Fires
iv. Hydro Metrological
v. Geological
vi. Man-Made

Specific Hazards that need attention in building design and construction are listed in
Table 1.
Table 1: Hazard Types and Specific area of Occurrence in Ghana

DISASTER GROUP HAZARD TYPE SPECIFIC AREAS OF


OCCURENCE IN GHANA
Pest and Insect Termites Nationwide
Infestation
Disease Epidemics Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis Upper West; Upper East;
(CSM) Northern; Volta and Brong Ahafo
Regions.
Fires Bush, Domestic and Nationwide
Industrial Fires
Hydro Metrological Rainfall-Runoff Nationwide
Hydro Metrological River Flooding River Basins (Figure 4: Floods
Hazard Map)
Hydro Metrological Lagoon Flooding Coastal Zones
Hydro Metrological Tidal Flooding Coastal Zones
Hydro Metrological Man-Made Flooding Nationwide (Hazard Mapping
(blocking of river courses; Needed)
dam burst etc)
Hydro Metrological Rain/Wind Storms Nationwide
Earthquakes Southern Ghana (Figure 1:
Seismic Hazard Map)
Geological Tsunami Coastal Zones
Geological Expansive Soils Nationwide (Hazard Mapping
Needed)
Geological Soil Erosion Nationwide (Hazard Mapping
Needed)
Geological Coastal erosion Coastal Zones (Figure 2: Coastal
Erosion Hazard Map)
Geological Land Slide Hilly Areas of Ghana (Figure 3:
Landslide Map)
Geological Radon Gas Emissions Nationwide (Hazard Mapping
Needed)
Man-Made Collapse of Buildings Nationwide

SITE INVESTIGATION AND PREPARATION Before a site is used for a building


project, it must be investigated. Site investigation here refers to processes to:
i. Determine whether the site is earmarked or zoned for the proposed project by
the local planning authority.
ii. Obtain data required for the design of the foundation of buildings.
iii. Determine whether the site is suitable for building or the project.
iv. Identify rock outcrop, landfills, vegetation, water bodies, existing underground
services etc.
v. Identify the types of Hazards that exist in the area.
Avoidance is the least expensive and most logical strategy to reduce vulnerability to
floods, coastal erosion, earthquakes and landslides when selecting a building site.
The simplest approach to avoidance involves urban and land-use planning. Community
decision-makers should enact public policies and take actions that avoid building in
hazardous areas.

In preparing the site the top soil and vegetative matter shall be removed. Where there
are termites, an ant anti-termite treatment should be applied.

SPECIAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Ordinary portland cement, sand, gravel, crushed rock, reinforcement steel bars, wood,
metal roofing sheets and concrete roofing tiles are the predominant building materials
used in Ghana today.

Use of pozzolana cement, burnt brick, landcrete or stabilized earth and other local
building materials that meet GSB specification should be encouraged.

Correct selection and mixing of materials are important in the construction of hazard
resistant buildings. Concrete mixes and water/cement ratio for all concrete mixes, shall
be as prescribed and the right sizes of steel must be used at all times. The use of white
core plywood should be discouraged and red core plywood used.

In Areas where a naked fire is predominant, it is not recommended to use timber for
internal and external walls. In earthquake prone areas, special attention must be given
to foundation and superstructure design and construction. Roofs need to be wind/rain
storm resistant and concrete foundations are better in flood prone areas

All electrical materials used must be approved by Ghana Standard Board or other
competent authority and electrical installations must be carried out by qualified
professionals.
All buildings must have fire detection, fire alarm and fire fighting devices and be
protected with a well grounded lightning arrester.
All portable L.P.G bottles shall be located outside the building when in use.
FIGURE 1: SEISMIC HAZARD MAP OF GHANA
FIGURE 2: COASTAL EROSION HAZARD MAP OF GHANA
FIGURE 3: LANDSLIDE HAZARD MAP OF GHANA
FIGURE 4: FLOODS HAZARD MAP OF GHANA
Site investigation is the process by which geological, geotechnical and other relevant
information which might affect the construction or the performance of a civil engineering
or building project is acquired .Site investigation should be undertaken in order to obtain
data required for an Intelligent design of the foundation of buildings.
i) It must be placed at an adequate depth to prevent heave undermining by scour
or damage from construction nearby.

ii) It must be safe against breaking into the ground.

iii) It must not settle enough to disfigure or damage the structure.

Foundations can be classified as deep foundations (caissons and piles) or shallow


foundation (strip, pad, raft/mat). For the purposes of this building guide it is
recommended to use shallow foundations.
FIG. 5: STRIP AND PAD FOUNDATIONS

STRIP FOUNDATIONS
º

TWO LEAF DOUBLE SLIDING-FOLDING


DOOR
Door leaves folding º

THREE LEAF SLIDING-FOLDING DOOR:


Door leaves folding º

CENTRE HUNG SLIDING-FOLDING


DOOR WITH HALF LEAF:
Door leaves folding º

INDUSTRIAL DOORS: Industrial doors are straight


sliding doors or sliding-folding doors,
Top hung with bottom guide on top hung with botton
roller.

SPECIAL DOORS:
FLEXIBLE DOORS:
These are specified for positions where the user has his
hands otherwise occupied (pushing a trolley, driving a
service vehicle in a warehouse etc.)

AUTOMATIC DOORS:
These are doors with imitating, sensing and timing
devices, actuating a motor gear which physically moves
the door (for sliding doors, folding doors, swing doors,
up and down doors and gate)
180o
All electrical materials used must be approved by Ghana Standard Board or other
competent authority. Electrical installation must be carried out by qualified persons.

Buildings must be properly earthed with approved earthing material.


It is recommended that where the earthing material is buried the area should not be
concreted.
22.7 Emergency lighting

General

22.7.1 This section of the guide is concerned with that part of the emergency lighting
necessary to enable persons to move within and escape from a building if the normal lighting
fails at the time of an emergency (i.e. fire, earthquake)

22.7.2 Generally, emergency lighting by electricity should be provided in all residential,


business, mercantile and medium and low hazard in industrial occupancy.

22.7.3 Emergency lighting fitted with batteries and chargers conforming to BS 5266 should be
heated along all escape routes (corridors), stair landings where natural light is not sufficient
and locations of possible danger / panic during a power outage

22.8 Lightning arrester


All buildings must be protected with a well grounded lightning arrester.

22.9 Fire safety


Appropriate fire detection and fire fighting devices must be installed in all buildings.

22.9.1 Fire detection and alarm devices.

Table 22.9A gives basic fire detection and alarm devices recommended for various
areas in the building.

Table .22.9A Fire detection and alarm devices.

Device Recommended Area


Smoke detector (battery Bedrooms, living areas
operated)
Heat detector (battery Kitchen and laundry
operated) areas
Gas detector Kitchen

22.9.2 Fire Extinguishers


Every building should have at least one 6kg dry powder and 2/3kg Co2 fire
extinguishers.
These fire extinguishers shall be located within travel distance not exceeding 18m and
shall be mounted on a wall not more than 1.2m high.

At least one fire blanket shall be placed in the kitchen.

22.9.3 L.P.G Installation


All portable L.P.G bottles shall be located outside the building when in use.

22.9.4 Fire Instructions and drills


Fire instruction shall be given by a competent person at such intervals as will ensure
that all occupants are instructed at least twice every 12 Months.

Instructions and drills for occupants shall cover the following matters:
i. The action to be taken upon discovery a fire.
ii. The action to be taken upon hearing the fire alarm.
iii. How to call Ghana National Fire Service.
iv. How to use fire fighting equipment.
v. Knowledge of the escape routes in the building.

22.9.5 Escape Routes

i. Escape routes should be arranged and located in such a manner to allow people to
move within the building and also evacuate the premises quickly and safely.

ii. Doors, exits and routes shall have standard safety signs visible day and night to direct
occupants in any emergency situation.

22.9.6 Direction of Opening of Doors

Doors should be hung in such a way that it will not obstruct any escape routes. (see fig.)

Doors opening into escape route are not acceptable.

1.2m

Room 1 Room 2
Correct way of fixing doors along escape route.

Final exit doors should be opened easily from the inside by occupants escaping from
the building
Doors fixed along escape routes should be fitted with vision panel where appropriate.

22.9.7 EXIT AND DIRECTIONAL SIGNS

1. Any exit which is not a normal route of travel from a building should be indicated by

should be displaced immediately above the exit opening, where possible. Where this is
not possible, a position should be chosen where the notice is least likely to be
obstructed and most likely to be seen.

2. At suitable points along an escape route where an exit cannot be seen or where a
person escaping might be in doubt as to the location of an exit, a notice should be
EXIT necessary
directional arrow. Such notices should be fixed in conspicuous positions, where
possible 2 metres and 2.5metres above floor level.

Exit and directional notices should be internally or otherwise illuminated so as to be clearly


legible.

RECOMMENDED LETTERING SIZE FOR EXIT SIGNS

Viewing distance Letter Height

< 20m 50mm


20m to 30m 75mm
30m to 40m 100mm
>40m 125mm
24.4.5 Rain Harvesting: Storage tanks for harvested rain water should be located at a
higher position than septic tanks.

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