How Seismic Vulnerability in Metro Vancouver Residences Is Assessed

Canada is not a country known for its seismic activity, however one area of the country that is prone to seismic activity is British Columbia and one area in BC that is particularly vulnerable to seismic activity is the Metro Vancouver area. Therefor if you live or are thinking of living in the Metro Vancouver area it is in your best interest to make sure that your home or a home you are interested in purchasing are able to stand up to the stresses of a seismic event. In today’s blog we will be looking at how seismic vulnerability in Metro Vancouver residences is assessed.

A seismic vulnerability assessment involves checking a home’s structural systems and components for flaws and concerns that could become a danger to the home or its occupants if a seismic event were to occur. When performing a check for seismic vulnerability one of the places in a residence that receives the most attention is the foundation. Inspectors will check the foundation of a residence for signs of movement such as cracks in the drywall or masonry, out of square door frames or uneven floors.

Inspectors will also check the critical systems of a residence for seismic vulnerability, systems such as electrical, plumbing and gas systems. Inspecting these systems for seismic vulnerability involves checking for deterioration in line materials and checking whether pipes and lines are properly secured. Faults in these systems that are left unaddressed could lead to leaks, fire or other significant damage to your residence. Inspectors may also check to ensure that furniture, appliances, water heaters and other items are properly secured so they don’t cause damage to the building or injury to the occupants.

We hope we have been able to show you the ways that seismic vulnerability is assessed in the Metro Vancouver area. If you have any questions about seismic vulnerability assessments, please feel free to contact us.

The Inspectors is a group of very experienced home inspectors who bring reliability and integrity to the practice of home inspection. These inspectors follow closely the established standards of the Canadian National Association of Certified Home Inspectors.

If you have any questions about this article or would like to talk to us about home inspection, we encourage you to call us at (778) 788-5301