Five ways to identify any looming building Collapse

Five warning signs that a building is heading for collapse

Structures rarely give way without warning. Signals tend to appear well before the event, yet many Nigerians either fail to recognise them or choose to ignore what they see.

Certain buildings can be likened to “a ticking time bomb”. Against the backdrop of a rising number of collapses, spotting the danger early and responding to it matters.

Signs that collapse may be imminent

Walls that crack

Significant cracks across walls are a red flag that something is seriously wrong. Most cracking is traced to movement of the ground beneath the foundations — the result of clay shrinkage, landslip, vibration, subsidence, settlement, heave, sway and similar forces. Foundations can also fail through the deterioration of soft clay brick, erosion of concrete by chemical pollutants, and comparable problems.

Dilapidation

By dilapidation is meant the end of a structure’s physical life, meaning the point at which a building is approaching a condition that renders it unfit for use. Ageing and natural deterioration, neglect, the use of materials below specification and shoddy workmanship are among the reasons such defects develop.

Movement within the building

Defects, shifting ground, foundation failure and the deterioration of the building fabric are among the factors that can set a house moving. A building has no legs, yet it can move — and because it was never designed to do so, any movement points to a collapse that may follow. Where a structure cannot accommodate that movement, cracking is the likely result.

Moisture seeping in

Moisture penetration happens when water finds its way into a building from outside, often because protection against rainfall or drainage infrastructure is inadequate. Ceilings, the interior of walls and floors are areas that should stay dry; they are structurally reinforced to resist damp. Once moisture gets through those barriers, it is a signal that the structure may be on the verge of giving way.

Defective foundation

A foundation exists to carry the weight of the structure above it, and obvious symptoms can indicate that it is failing. Floors that are no longer level, or that appear to droop, bow or dip, may be a sign of trouble.