ASSESSING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF GLASS IN BUILDING AND ITS SECURITY IMPLICATIONS: CASE STUDY OF BUILDING IN WA MUNICIPALITY

ABSTRACT

Glass is one of the very used and favored building materials with multiple applications, such as a building construction material, use in construction industries as material, use in containers and vessels, as windows in the automobile industry. Glasses in buildings are the weakest element of a house with regard to prevention of burglaries. The study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of glass in building and its security implication of buildings using Wa Municipality as a case study. The specific objectives of the study were: to examine the use of glass in building construction in the Wa Municipality, to identify the effectiveness of glass in building construction in the Wa Municipality, and to identify the security implications of using glass in building in the Wa Municipality. The study was carried out using a survey designed.  The study drew one hundred and twenty four (124) residents and ten (10) contractors in the Wa Municipality. The study adopted purposive sampling technique in selecting respondents for the study. Data collection instrument involved questionnaire, interviews and observation. The study found that in Wa Municipality, glasses in building are mostly used for architectural features like doors, windows, and partitions. Furthermore, it appeared that glasses are used for reinforcement structures, and in the form of block walls. The result indicated that glass in building construction is effective as it resists corrosion, makes structure look more stunning, sophisticated and adds beauty to the building.  The study further revealed that glass has a smooth, glossy surface so it is dust proof and can be easily cleaned, and also absorb, refracts or transmits light. The study indicated that glass in building construction have serious implication on the live and property in the building. Based on this, conclusions were made and it was recommended that the government through its agencies should develop by-laws to control the type of glass building materials to be used to avoid any serious implication on the live and property in the building.