EFFECTS OF LOCAL ADDITIVES ON THE CONTROL OF TERMITES INFESTED BUILDING COMPONENTS IN LAGOS STATE

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Abstract

The study adopted experimental research design, on selected condition or a change treatment. Observations or measurement are planned to illuminate effect or any change  in conditions. Aimed at investigating the effects of local additives on the termites infested buildings. The area of the study was 30 Local Government  Area.  Predominate  in these areas to use for various  Building  constructions.  Lagos  State.  The  population  for  the  study comprised  of termite infested buildings. This include public and private buildings in the State. There are

73,000 termite infested buildings in the State. Building that are susceptible to termites and other agents of Building degradations. It is noticeable that in these areas, Purposive sampling technique, 90 termite infested buildings was selected for the study three building was selected in each locality one building per sample. (3 x 30 = 90) termite infested buildings Different mixtures of the additives on the infested building components such as walls, windows, doors, floor, and roof. the purpose of the experiment. The purpose of the study was to find out the effect of condemned engine oil preservation in Lagos State. In specific, the study sought to determine  following:  The  termite  infested  untreated  buildings.  The  effect  of  condemned engine  oil  on  the  building  infested  site.  The  extent  of  deterioration  of  termite  infested untreated  building.  The  effect  of  condemned  engine  oil  and  kerosene  on  the  extent  of deterioration  of  termite  infested  treated  building.  The  extent  of  termite  infestation  of untreated building in exterior and interior environments. The effect of condemned engine oil and  salt  on the  extent  of  termite  infestation  of  treated  building  in  exterior  and  interior environments.  To  achieve  these  five  purposes,  a  research  and  development  design  was adopted with a trig, experimental approach. Ninety-six oven dried samples of 20% moisture content  consisting  of were prepared  in 300x50x25mm.The  96 building  samples  were  all sensitive scale to determine the pre-infestation  of each building sample and the  data  was recorded. 30 samples were randomly selected  from each of the three species  and the 96 building were divided into three groups of 30 building each. One group was categorized as untreated samples (Control) and the second group as treated samples (experimental). The two groups were further sub-divided into two groups for exterior and interior samples hence each of the building had six samples each for interior untreated, interior treated, exterior untreated and exterior treated. condemned  engine oil was  applied on the 30 treatment samples with each sample treated with 25m1 of addaxes  in two applications ( 24 hours in between coats) using the brushing  method  of applying  preservatives.  The treated  and untreated  building samples were then exposed to field trial test method in accordance with the American Wood Preservers   Association   (AWPA)   Standards   El  -97   (1999)   and   the   Nordic   building Preservation Council  (NWPC) EN 252[2006J  Standards in which samples are exposed to environments  and  locations  that  are  termite  infested  and  situations  similar  to  where  the building will be used. The samples were randomly labeled with the first letter of specie, BT for untreated or TT for treated and a number. All the species were mapped on a sheet of paper and then exposed to termite infestation for six months between June and December, a period considered to have high level of termite infestations. At the end of post- infestation period, samples were recovered  following  the mapping  sheet from both the  exterior  and interior environments. They were weighed for post- infestation weights and rated by three experts in building technology using a five point rating scale adopted  from the American Society for Testing  and  Materials  (ASTM)  to  determine   the   levels  of  deterioration  and  termite infestation/attack.Mean  and Percentages were  used  to analyze data for the additives while mean, standard deviation, t-test and one way analysis of variance(ANOVA)  were used for analyzing the extent of building  infestation and deterioration at 0.01 level of significance. The statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS-Version 16) was used for the analysis.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Building is a structure with wall and a roof. Building is any human made  structure used  or  intended  for  supporting  or  sheltering  occupants  (David,  2013).  Buildings  serve several needs of society primarily as protection  from the elements  and  as general  living apace, to provide privacy, to store belongings and to comfortably live and work. A building as a shelter represents a physical division of the human habitat (a place of comfort and safety) and the outside (a place that may be harsh and harmful). Das (2007) explained that buildings are in the form of residential and public. Wood (2012) stated that residential buildings are called house or homes. The author further explained that buildings containing large number of  separate  dwelling  units  are  often  called  apartment  buildings  or  apartment  block  to differentiate  them  from  individual  houses.  Public  buildings  are  buildings  used  as  pubic offices  such  as  schools,  banks,  government  offices  among  others.  Residential  or  public building can come in form of multi-storey.

A multi-storey is a building that has multiple floors above the ground. Houses may also be built in pairs (semi-detached),  in terraces where all but two or more  houses have others on either side. Edward (2001) stated that building types may range from non-wood- framed, masonry, or adobe dwelling to multi-million dollar high-rise buildings able to house thousands of people. Common building materials are brick, concrete or combination of either of these with stones. Buildings serve as shelters for  humans and their belongings.  Harold (1980) identified  the prominent components  of a  building, as foundation,  column, beams, slabs, floors, lintels, roofs, and walls. All these components are easily affected by termites.

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The effect of long time attack of termites on a building or its components results in building collapse.

Termites are essential members of the soil ecosystem and are found throughout the world. Their presence is particularly noticeable in the tropical and sub-tropical regions where they represent a significant portion (10%) of the animal biomass (Donavan, 2007). Termites are generally grouped according to their nesting and feeding habits. Thus, the commonly used general groupings are subterranean, soil-dwelling, drywood, dampwood, and grass-eating. Of these,  subterranean  and  drywood  are  primarily  responsible  for  damage  to  human-made structures. Subterranean termite homes are usually formed in the soil. Within these mounds, termites build elaborate tunnel systems and mud tunnels through which they access above- ground food source. Sacks (2011)  stated that drywood  termites live within the wood they consume and oftentimes infest walls and furniture.

Dampwood termites live in old tree stumps, rotten logs and pieces of buried timbers, and can also invade into sound wood in buildings. (Inward, Beccaloni, and Eggleton, 2007) said that worker and soldier termites build shelter tubes and nest in the soil or on the sides of trees or buildings and rely principally on soil for moisture. Termites are often called the silent destroyer  because they may be secretly hiding and thriving in  home or yard without any immediate signs of damage (Inward et al., 2007). All termites consume cellulose-based plant materials.  Unfortunately,  all  homes,  regardless  of  their  construction,  type,  can  provide cellulose food for termite infestation. Piper (2007) explained that termites feeding habits are capable of causing costly damage to property. A termite’s mouth is capable of tearing pieces of woody material. This ability is what  causes concern in human dwellings (Ritter, 2006). House  foundations,  furniture,  windows,  doors,  ceilings,  frames,  shelves,  roofs  and  even books are all possible feeding sites for termites. Termites also damage unprotected cellulosic materials  such  as  timber,  underground  cables,  irrigation  ditches  and  farming  equipment

(Tsunoda,  2005).  For  homeowners,  this  is  a  serious  problem  as  termite  colony  can structurally compromise  a buildings  integrity resulting  in permanent  damage  and  loss of value. The annual economic cost of termite damage and termite prevention,  worldwide is estimated in billions (Ahmed and French, 2005).

Termites infect houses also in Lagos state. Soldiers, workers, subterranean, drywoods and dampwood termites are found to be the most destructive pest of wooden constructions, which is estimated to be over 90 percent of the overall losses caused by termites in the whole State. All these termites attack building components such as foundation, walls, ceiling, roof and  worthy properties  such  as  books  and  clothes  kept  in residential  and  public  houses. Termite  damage  to buildings  in Lagos  State  is  a  serious  concern.  Due to poor building techniques,  many  houses  are  attacked  by  termites  within  a few  months  of  construction. Government  of Lagos State has  mounted  a lot of programmes  and strategies to curb the building  collapse  or  failure  but  little  in  the  area  of  termite  infestation.  Long  termites’ infestation leads to  building failure or building collapse in the State. In the present Lagos State, termite infestations are widespread. It is estimated that 50 percent of buildings in Lagos are  damaged  by termites (MRP,  2010).Costly  rebuilding  is often necessary  to repair  the damage. On the other hand, if evidence of termites found, there is no immediate cause  for alarm. It usually takes several years for a building to become structurally  weakened  as a result of termite infestation.

Additive is a substance added to something in small quantities to improve or preserve it. John (2013) described additive as an agent or factor that, when combined with other agents and factors, add to their cumulative effect or strength usually by a known degree or extent. In the context of the study, local additives are used or condemned engine oil, kerosene and salt combined together to control the effect of termites on the building. Termites affect building component or part like foundation. A foundation according to Robert (2001) is a part of the

structure that supports the weight of the structure and transmits the load to the underlying soil or rock. Foundation is a part of a building,  usually below the ground,  that  transfers  and distributes the weight of the building onto the ground (Microsoft, 2008). Ezeji (1984) also added that foundation is that part of a structure which is in direct contact with the ground to which the weight  of the structure and other  loads on the  structure  are transmitted.  Ezeji explained that the ability of a building to remain firm for several years on the ground upon which it is built depends on the strength of its  foundation. Foundation of a structure also supports the walls and columns and bears directly on the soil or rock, including the rock or soil itself. The soil or rock is often referred to as the natural foundation, and the bases of the walls or columns are the artificial foundation. Based on these functions, it is imperative that the foundations of a building upon which walls are erected be properly prevented from being infested by termites.

Wall is a vertical structure forming an inside partition or an outside of a  building. Seeley (1980) opined that, walls to buildings can be constructed  in various  ways using a variety of materials. Wall of a building is to isolate the interior from the exterior. Babajide (2010) explained that function of a wall is structural, to support the  load imposed by any floors or roof above. These basic functions have to be appreciated. Ezeji (1984) stated that walls support upper floors and roofs together with all loads imposed on them.

Floor is the flat horizontal part of a room on which people walk. Floors are in form of wooden or concrete. Wooden floors are made from wood or woody materials. They are found mostly in old storey buildings. Concrete floor is an artificial material, similar in appearance and  properties  to  some  natural  limestone  rock.  Termites  easily  infest  wooden  floor  or concrete and a times cause building failure. The major purpose of  floors is to support the occupants of a building together with their belongings. In buildings that have one storey only, it is possible to support the floor upon the ground,  but if a basement is required or if the

building has more than one storey, some other means must be found for supporting the floors. According to Ezeji (1984), floors may be classified as (i) basement floors (ii) ground floors (iii) upper floors. The technique used in the construction of any of the classified types of floor will  depend  on  its  functional  requirement,  in  order  to  achieve  a  satisfactory  form  of construction.  The form of construction selected may also influence the provision of other elements. The thickness of floors will affect the height of walling, and the choice between a solid or suspended  ground  floor can affect  the location of services  and the sizing of the heating installation and roofing.

A roof is a type of covering of a building. In contrast to the sloped form of a roof, a flat roof is horizontal or nearly horizontal. Microsoft (2009) described  roof as  the outside covering of the top of a building or framework supporting this. Materials that covers roofs should allow water to run off freely. Roofs should have eaves to  cover/protect  doors and windows (Naeim, 1999).

Windows  and  doors  are  other  important  components  of  building.  Window  is  an opening in the wall of a building usually with an inner frame of wood or metal with wood or glass fitted into it, to let in light, or when opened, air. Microsoft (2009) explained that the door is a movable barrier used to open and close the entrance to a  building, room, closet usually a solid panel, hinged to or sliding in a frame. Doors and windows with their frames are made of woods which are easily attacked by termites. The manifestation of the termite attack plus other structural factors results to building failure.

Ceiling, a component of building has wooden components.  Ceiling is the overhead surface of a room, or the material used to line this surface. Various species of termites also infest ceiling of a building in the study area most especially those ones made from wood. Damages caused by termites to buildings, books, electronics, and to  all the components of

buildings such as foundation, walls, doors, floors, windows, ceiling and roofs in Lagos State call for carefully planned methods for preventing infestation of termites.

Statement of the Problem

Lagos state has being the shoe of lagoon water log area that water is the prime mover to termite live in the life circle. It is imperative to belief that in decent areas one will see one termite house in any 10-20 kilometer which is not so in water log areas  that in every 10 meters of land you see a termite house.  Subterranean, soil-dwelling, dry wood, damp wood, and grass-eating termites are primarily responsible for damage to buildings and human-made structures in Lagos State. Termites are often called the silent destroyer because they may be secretly  hiding and  thriving  in  homes  or  yard  without  any immediate  signs  of damage. Termites infest buildings as a whole or components  like wall, ceiling, roof, windows, and doors among others. They attack and destroy worthy properties like furniture, books, records, and  electronics  and  so on in residential  and public  buildings  in Lagos  State.  Dry wood termites live within the wood they consume and oftentimes infest walls and furniture in the building. Long effects of termites’ infestation leads to building failure or building collapse in the State. In the present Lagos State, termite infestations are widespread. It is estimated that

75 percent of houses in Lagos are infested and damaged by termites (MRP, 2010).

Building foundations, furniture, windows, doors, ceilings, frames, shelves, roof and even books are all possible feeding sites for termites in Lagos State. Termites also  damage unprotected cellulose materials such as timber, underground cables, earthen dams, irrigation ditches and farming equipment. For homeowners this is a serious problem as termite colony structurally compromise  a building’s  integrity resulting  in  permanent  damage and loss of value. Building failure occurs due to damage caused by termites and inadequate structural design or construction.  The incident of building  collapse in Lagos State has constituted  a

serious concern to  the property owners  and the stakeholder  in the construction  industry. According to Ali (2009), within the last three years, not fewer than 32 persons died in the State as a result of building collapse. The highest figure was recorded in July 18, 2011, when

28 persons died when a four-storey building collapsed in Ebute Meta area of Lagos State as a result  of damages  caused  by termites  (Nigeria  world,  September  28,  2011).  The  annual economic  cost  of  termite  damage  is  estimated   in  billions  (Lagos  State   Ministry  of Environment,  2010).  All  these  problems  call  for  the  investigation  of the  effect  of  local additives as preservatives for building components in Lagos State.

Purpose of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to determine the effects of selected local additives on termites infested building components for buildings in Lagos State. Specifically,  the  study will determine;

1.   Mix ration of the selected local additives

2.   Effect of mixture of condemned engine oil, kerosene and salt on the termites infested building components

3.   Effect of mixture of condemned engine oil and salt on the termite infested building components

4.   Effect  of mixture  of condemned  engine  oil and  kerosene  on the  termite  infested building components

5.   Effects of mixture of kerosene and salt on the termite infested building components.

Significance of the Study

The findings of this study will be of immense benefit to the general public, building clients,  builders,  civil  engineers,  architects  and  building  contractors,  industrial  technical educators, students, curriculum planners in the technical education, and the Local, State and

Federal Government  and educational researchers.  The entire residents of Lagos State  will benefit from the findings of this study if the results of the study are made available to educate general public about what and what can be done to curb the infestation of all kinds of termites in Lagos State. Television and radio programme on the result of the effect of local additives for controlling termites could be mounted by government to educate the general public. The implementation of the identified findings by the general public will reduce building failure and damage of other worthy properties of the people.

Both the landlords  and tenants  will benefit  from  the findings  of the study as  the identified  local additives  could  be applied  to  curb  or prevent  termites’  damage  on  their buildings and other worthy properties.

The  findings  of  the  study  will  benefit  the  industrial  technical  educators   and curriculum planners and developers. Industrial technical educators such as technical teachers in technical colleges and building technology lecturers in Technical Colleges of Education, Polytechnics  and universities can make use of the identified local  additives and results to teach their students the use of local additives in termite control. The curriculum planners and developers can integrate the local additives for controlling of termites to the curriculum of building technology.

The general public will benefit from the findings of this study, because the building owners and the occupants are assured and guaranteed of safety of lives and properties in their respective buildings if the effects of termites are curbed. There will also be good condition of shelter with reduced risk of hazards, and adequate security.

The findings of this study will be of benefit to the architects, engineers and builders. The identified results for controlling termites’ infestation on building could be packaged and used to educate builders, civil engineers, architects and building contractors. It will enable

them to be aware of the termites’  effects on buildings  and how to contain it using  local additives. The findings of this study will equip the Lagos State Physical Planning Authority and  the  Nigerian  Institute  of Building  to  know  which  local additives  to  be  adopted  for preventing building failure as a result of termite damage to buildings.

Educational researchers will also benefit from the findings of this study as this study will serve as a source of information or literature. They can make use of the  study while carrying out researches.

Research Questions

The following research questions will guide the study:

1.   What is the mix ratio of local additives for termite control?

2.   What  is  the  effect  of mixture  of condemned  engine  oil on  the  termites  infested building components?

3.   What  is  the  effect  of mixture  of condemned  engine  oil and  salt  on the  termites infested building components?

4.   What is the effect of mixture of condemned engine oil and kerosene on the termites infested building components?

5.   What is the effect of mixture of kerosene and salt on the termites infested building components?

Delimitations of the Study

This study is limited to local additives such as condemned engine oil, kerosene, salt and their effects on the control of termites in Lagos State.



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EFFECTS OF LOCAL ADDITIVES ON THE CONTROL OF TERMITES INFESTED BUILDING COMPONENTS IN LAGOS STATE

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