Averting the increasing incidents of collapsed buildings: A case for architects and allied professionals in the building industry

Abstract

Incidents of collapse of buildings have been on the increase and unprecedented in recent times. It could no longer be seen as accidents as the sporadic reoccurrence cut across the geopolitical zones of the country. The causes are multifarious and in some cases complex but the signals normally persist for quite sometimes before resulting in collapse of the affected building. Sufficient literature exists as to the factors that led to the collapse of building yet little success have been recorded in preventing reoccurrence of this sad situation. This paper reviews these factors in order to identify silent factors causing collapse of building structure. The need to have building maintenance manual as part of documents for assessing level of routine maintenance of the building and its installations as well as the role of stakeholders in averting the menace form the conclusion of the paper.