Uzuegbunam, F O; Isiofia, L A and Ibem, E O (2024) Assessment of susceptibility of buildings with different façade finishes to microbial decay in the hot-humid tropical environment of enugu, southeast Nigeria. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, 42(6), pp. 1106-1125. ISSN 2398-4708
Abstract
Purpose: Buildings respond differently to microbial invasion depending on the design, type of construction materials and finishes used and extent of exposure to climatic factors. However, in the hot-humid tropical environment of Nigeria, much is not known about how buildings with different types of façade finishes or claddings are liable to microbial decay. The purpose of this research is to investigate the susceptibility of buildings with different types of façade finishes to microbial decay in Enugu metropolis, southeast Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach: A survey involving physical observation of purposively selected 383 buildings and questionnaire administration to their owners was carried out in the study area. The data were subjected to descriptive and logistic regression analyses. Findings: Most of the 383 buildings sampled were less than 41 year and 47% of them had painted façade finishes followed by 25.1% with cementitious finishes. Around 63.4% of the buildings had their façade finishes or claddings colonised by microbes. Older buildings of 15 years and above and those with cementitious materials and paints as their predominant façade finishes were more likely to experience microbial decay than newer ones and those having refractory bricks, ceramic tiles, aluminium composite materials and plastics/polymers as their predominant façade finishes or claddings. Practical implications: The study identifies the categories of buildings that are likely to be more susceptible to microbial decay; and thus contributes to research on how to slow down the rate of biodeterioration of building façade finishes or claddings in the hot-humid tropical environments. Originality/value: This is the first study on the susceptibility of buildings with different types of façade finishes or claddings to microbial decay in the hot-humid tropical environment of Enugu metropolis, southeast Nigeria. It also provides a clue on the age at which buildings become more vulnerable to microbial decay in the study area.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | buildings; enugu metropolis; façade finishes; hot-humid tropics; microbial decay; susceptibility; questionnaire survey |
| Index terms: | survey, exposure, tropical environment, questionnaire, finishes, methodology, Nigeria, owner, plastic, composite, cladding, construction material, logistic regression analysis |
| Subjects: | public and environmental health, statistical analysis, sociology, data collection methods, building materials, Geography, research methods, materials science, environmental science |
| Topics: | Design Practice, Stakeholder Management, Research Practice, Construction Materials, Sustainability, Geographical Context, Engineering Principles, Health and Safety |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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