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.
Description:
A Dissertation in the Department of CONSTRUCTION AND WOOD
TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION, Faculty of TECHNICAL EDUCATION, submitted
to the School of Graduate Studies, University of Education, Winneba in partial
fulfilment of the requirements for award of the Master of Technology (Construction
Technology) degree.