Wood decay hazard analyses of residential buildings in Java Island.

Abstract

Wood decay in residential buildings can lead to economic loss and risk human safety. This research was aimed to determine wood decay hazard in Java Island, Indonesia. It was based on the analyses of climate factors, fungal decay as well as building characteristics in the island. The hazard class of wood decay in Java was analysed based on Scheffer’s method using seven years (2002-2008) climatic data. In addition, a field survey was conducted to evaluate wood decay occurance in 500 houses distributed in 10 cities representing various temperature and humidity conditions. Identification and growth test of decay fungi frequently attacking houses were also conducted. Laboratory examination and field test on the decay of sengon and kamper woods were carried out to evaluate the impact of fungal attack on the basic properties of wood. It was found that approximately 47% and 40% cities in Java were classified as very high and high decay hazard, respectively. About 87% houses were severely attacked by decay fungi. Precipitation was the most influencing climatic factor on the wood decay in house construction. The fungi preferred to attack wooden components of houses intermittently wetted either by rain or water uses. Ganoderma applanatum and Schizophyllum commune were the most important decay fungi for residential buildings in Java. The decay fungi have caused the degradation of residential buildings with economic loss in the amount of over Rp 411 billion/year.

Dengan jumlah penduduk 136.563.000 jiwa, Pulau Jawa merupakan pulau yang terbanyak dan terpadat penduduknya di Nusantara. Sebagian besar penduduknya tinggal di rumah-rumah yang beresiko tinggi terserang jamur pelapuk kayu karena banyak menggunakan kayu yang tidak awet (non durable species), selain itu juga karena berada di daerah beriklim tropis yang sangat kondusif bagi pertumbuhan jamur pelapuk. Namun hingga kini belum ada informasi ilmiah yang mengungkapkan kelas bahaya pelapukan kayu maupun dampaknya secara teknis dan ekonomis pada perumahan di Pulau Jawa yang sesungguhnya sangat diperlukan sebagai pertimbangan bagi para arsitek, perusahaan konstruksi, instansi pemerintah terkait dan masyarakat umum dalam mengendalikan serangan jamur pelapuk pada bangunan. Suatu penelitian telah dilakukan untuk mengetahui tingkat bahaya pelapukan kayu pada perumahan di Pulau Jawa berdasarkan analisis terhadap kondisi iklim, potensi jamur pelapuk kayu, dan karakteristik bangunan perumahan di Pulau Jawa.