AN INVESTIGATION OF PANEL WALL HOUSING CONSTRUCTION IN KENYA

Abstract

A wall is the solid structure that defines and delineates a building, supports its super structure and separates space into rooms. The projected annual housing need for Kenya populations exceeds 810,000 units as per the National Development Plan 1997 – 2007 which translates to 162,000 units per year. To solve this acute problem, the country needs to develop a fast mode of erecting houses. 3D Expanded Polystyrene ‘EPS Home panels’ provides the opportunity to utilize the panel walling system to alleviate the housing crunch. This technology allows for affordable, stronger and faster construction of houses. Similar technologies e.g. the ‘Space Frame’ system of construction has been used in South Africa since 1980. The EPS home panels are now locally manufactured by National Housing Corporation (NHC). The objective of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of panel wall housing in production of houses in Kenya without compromising the standards. Oral interviews were conducted in various sites. It was observed that a standard size panel weighs only 15kg which allows for easy handling and fast installations process, thus reduces construction time by 50%. A single story 3 bedroom house was completed in 30 days instead of 60 days. The technology was found to lower construction cost by 30% in red soil areas. Off cuts were easily recycled hence drastically reducing the cost. Data obtained from the manufacturers indicate that the material is fire resistant, energy efficient, has lower utility costs, earthquake resistant, versatile, flexible design, sound proof, storms resistant and have superior strength. The use of panel walling system was found to be fast, efficient and effective mode of constructing houses which enables mass production of modular houses. It is therefore recommended that training and creating awareness on the use of local EPS panel walling system be done