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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:
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.
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
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.
STRIP FOUNDATIONS
º
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.
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)
22.7.3 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
Table 22.9A gives basic fire detection and alarm devices recommended for various
areas in the building.
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.
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.
Doors should be hung in such a way that it will not obstruct any escape routes. (see fig.)
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.
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.