DEFECT ANALYSIS IN FACILITIES

DEFECT ANALYSIS IN FACILITIES

 

A defect in the construction of facilities is on the increase .This perhaps not surprising when one considers the growing shortage of skilled labor and the difficulties, which abound in the supervision of specialist sub-contractor trading in a market where their services are at premium. A defect is a shortfall in performance occurring at any time in the life of a product, element or dwelling which it occurs.

Established uniformly good standard of inspection, to widen technical knowledge and practical knowledge and practical experience particularly in the services trade, to improve the quality of spot deck inspection, s well as promote improvement in the construction standard generally, as well as fostering better communication .The inspection function is normally left to the individual responsible for continuing maintenance of the building and this seem a reasonable way to proceed. A clear cut procedure for reporting defect when they are encountered must be established this report must be directed to a member of the management at a sufficiently senior level to ensure that the action is taken at proper time.

Although defect may remain latent for many years sooner or later all exhibit signs and even where investigation of the defect may involve a complicated diagnostic process, valuable formation may be obtained from the correct observation and recording of the early evidence that problem exists .Such action will not only assist in the correction of problems but will be of value o the facilities owner in the event of a dispute with designers or the contractor. Frequent early evidence of problem is masked by the well intentioned but misguided effort of maintenance staff when makeshift repair are affected, adequate reporting will remove the risk of this. The conduct of any defects investigation, particularly litigation may ensue, is greatly simplified if the individual or organization entrusted with investigation and with the preparation of technical repot is introduced to the problem at any early stage. All too often the directed cost of a relatively minor facility defect is far exceeded by the consequential losses due to the lack of severability of all or part of the facility .Although defect may remain detect or many years sooner or later all exhibit sign and even where investigation of the defect may involve a complicated diagnosis process, valuable information may be obtained from the correct observation and recording of the early evidence that a problem exist.

In compelling and analyzing the survey findings, the engineer will produce a detached report describing the condition of each facilities and component.

As part of the narrative description, the report should include a list of recommended and timetable. For those system and component not requiring immediate corrective work, an estimated useful life expectancy should be provided. The report should include captioned photo to visually depict facility condition, especially for out –of-the-way are the residents don’t typically see. In addition, the report should include any active code violation, such as these issued by the Environmental control Board.

The building research establishment (1997) conducted a survey of structure failure pattern and their implication and the most common defect. In a in a sample of 510 Building, 58 percent of the defect originated from faulty design,35 percent from faulty execution,12 percent from faulty material ,component or property system,11 percent from unexpected user requirement ,but there was some overlap between these categories.

Bokinni (2006), states that faulty design account for over 50%, 35-40%, faulty workmanship, and 8-12% faulty material. Many organization do not seem to be able to denote the attached detention and the consequences of failure .The detached of an defect investigation, particularly where litigation may ensure is greatly simplified, if the indicated or organization entrusted with investigated and with the prepared of technical parts introduced to the problem at any stage. All too often the direct cost of a relative minor building defect is far exceeding by the consequential class due to the lack of sense ability of all or part of the building.

REFERENCES

Sterlka C.S. (2003) ‘Building Surveying Inspection Ckecklist’ ISBN 348-056-211-9

Seeley I (1976) Building Maintenance, macmillian Press Limited London.

289. Wai-Kiong and P. L. Sui, Assessment of defects at construction and occupancy stages,                         Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities, Vol 19(4), 2005, 283-289.