EFFECT OF PROJECT PLANNING ON COLLAPSE OF STOREY BUILDINGS IN KIAMBU COUNTY, KENYA
EFFECT OF PROJECT PLANNING ON COLLAPSE OF STOREY BUILDINGS IN KIAMBU COUNTY, KENYA
Kingori, Monicah Nyambura - Masters of Science in Disaster Preparedness and Engineering Management, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya
Dr. Samuel Waweru - Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya
Dr. Edward Masibayi - Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya
ABSTRACT
Building construction is a crucial and complex industry that plays a significant role in the economy of the country. Building policies are always set up in a relevant legislation authority in order to govern various training institutions, skilled construction workers, site supervisors and registration of the contractors. Building collapse has been a major concern to many governments both globally and locally. The causes of building collapse can range from bad design, faulty construction, foundation failure, extra ordinary load, unexpected failure mode and a combination of causes. The actual causes of storey building collapse have not been fully identified. The purpose of the study was to establish the effect of project planning on collapse of storey buildings in Kiambu County, Kenya. Descriptive survey research design was chosen. From a target population of 596, a sample of 181 respondents were chosen from National Environment Management Authority NEMA (1), Board of registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS) (1), licensed Civil engineers (28) and Quantity surveyors (19), National Construction Authority (NCA) (1) and Building contractors (131). Data was collected using questionnaires; the questionnaire designed in line with the objectives of the study. The data was entered in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) which was used to analyze the data. The data was tabulated and analyzed by calculating various percentages as possible and presented through tables and text. The study found that project strategic plans were developed for the buildings, that there was involvement of currently practicing engineers’ professionals in project detailed design and that project ideas into alternative concepts were examined. Moreover, the study found that there was project classification and that project past experience information was accessed and applied. The study concluded that project planning significantly contributes to collapse of storey buildings in Kiambu County. The study therefore recommends that it is good for the construction companies to emphasize the need for use of qualified personnel in all construction activities as a step towards restoring sanity in the industry.
