One of the most effective and fearful institutions of government in Lagos State is Lagos State Building Control Agency; a department under the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
The agency regulates buildings and structures in Lagos state. It ensures that buildings in the state are designed, constructed and maintained to high standards of safety to avoid loss of lives and property through its building regulatory system. It aims to achieve a zero percent building collapse in Lagos.
LASBCA means Lagos State Building Control Agency.
It is a must that those who want to build houses and other structures contact LASBCA before the commencement of any new project in Lagos. It’s also a must to contact LASBCA before the commencement of renovation of existing projects. The agency must be consulted before convertion of a building to other use. or before commencement of building demolition. You are to contact LASBCA before the installation of renewable source of energy, maintenance works that involve the erection of scaffolding, renovation, rehabilitation, re-engineering improvement of any building. What every building must has before inspection of the project.
They must have documentation of the approved development plan/development permit. They must have a detailed drawing of the approved plan from LASPPPA. They must have a specification of work to be carried out. And must be submitted to LASBCA before the commencement of work on-site. Programme of work. Health and safety file. Welfare facility for people working on site. The client must display a board at the site, displaying the development permit number and title of the project. The contact details of the owners and professionals involved In the project and all the risk insurance number. More so, a copy of the approved plan must be kept on-site at all times. What they inspect at various stages of inspection.
The officers ensure that the client abides with the details provided in the development permit drawings.
Also, he does same with the health safety in construction and urban and regional planning and development law 2010.
The building control team, which comprises architect, builder, town planner, and the engineer looks at the building dimension, the total height as stipulated in the development permit drawing during the time of visitation.
They also look at the structure of the building i.e foundation, columns, slabs, beams, etc ensuring they are structurally assembled according to the recommendation and specifications of the development permit drawings.
They also look out for the structural rendering of walls and plastering, ensuring no apparent cracks on the walls.
They also ensure that external airpaces and setbacks are in conformity with the development permit granted.
The following are used in determining fitness for habitation.
Structural stability integrity. The structure free from serious disrepair after renovation or improvement works. Free from dampness that could have adverse effect on the health of the occupants. Adequate provision of lighting, and ventilation. Adequate supply of wholesome piped water, satisfactory facilities in the dwelling for the preparation and cooking of food, including a sink with a satisfactory supply of water.
Suitably located water closet for the exclusive use of the occupants. A suitably located fixed bath or shower and a wash hand basin each of which is provided with adequate supply of water. Effective system for the draining of foul water from surface.
Suitable location of septic tank far away from bore hole.
– ISAAC ABIMBADE
