Reasons to Have a Backup Sump Pump

The sump pump is vital to keeping your home running, so it isn’t surprising that many choose to have a backup sump pump. If you are trying to decide if this is for you, here are a few reasons why backup sump pumps are great.

Reason 1 – Flooding
The first and obvious reason why it is important to have a backup sump pump is because of flooding. Whether you live in an area that is prone to floods or not, having a backup keeps you from headache upon headache when the rain starts. Being able to rest assure that the sump pump will work and has a backup can really put you at ease. If your primary pump fails, the backup kicks in, preventing any flooding.

Reason 2 – Blown Fuse
Whether the power goes out or a fuse is blown, many people experience a stop in their sump pump’s action. With a backup sump pump, you can have a battery kick in and keep it running until the power comes back on.

Reason 3 – Wear and Tear
Like any other appliance, a sump pump experiences clogs or wear and tear. The problem though is if the sump pump fails, it could lead to bigger problems. Thankfully with a backup, these problems can be avoided.

More tips from NIXCO Plumbing:
What Is the Purpose of a Sump Pump?
What a Sump Pump Is and How to Maintain It
How to test a sump pump
How long will your sump pump last?
A Battery Back Up Sump Pump, is it Necessary?
Ignoring Your Basement Sump Pump Can Lead to Disaster
Homeowners Stuck with Bill for Flood Damage
Protect Your Home From Flooding With A Sump Battery Backup

More information for a TripleSafe sump pump system.

https://www.leaderbasementsystems.com/sump-pump/system.html

 

Inspection Tips and Tools For Commercial Investment Property

By John Highman

When you inspect a commercial, retail or industrial property, it is the physical aspects of the property that should be well explored and documented. These matters below are some of the key issues for you to review before you complete the property listing or promotion.

1. Tenant compliance to physical building use: The tenants to a building may be obliged to undertake compliance to the way in which they use the building. Such matters will be detailed in the lease. You should read the leases in this regard to identify these things.
2. Antennas and aerials: Some buildings feature communication antennas and aerials. In the first instance these should have been approved by the landlord and in some circumstances the local planning authority. The antenna or aerial installation will have been made on the approved structures with supporting plans and documentation together also with access restrictions and risk signage to prevent people in the area being exposed to radio frequency radiation. You need to know that these things have been correctly handled.
3. Asbestos: It is common knowledge that asbestos is a hazardous building material that still exists in buildings constructed prior to 1990. From that time onwards, it was largely avoided and prohibited as a construction material in most buildings. Originally it was used as an insulation material in areas including electrical switchboards and also on the beams and columns of the building structure as a fire resistant material. It is therefore quite possible that you will sell or lease a building in which asbestos is still located. In your town or city there will be legislation rules and regulations that apply to the existence of asbestos. It is necessary that you get information from the building owner regards compliance to Legislation in this regard.
4. Asset replacement value: With commercial real estate properties, it is common for regular valuations to be undertaken by the building owner for insurance purposes regards asset replacement. This type of valuation would be applicable in the event of a fire or building disaster. You can also get building replacement values from information sheets provided by local quantity surveyors. You can usually obtain these from the internet. Importantly the construction costs and replacement value need to be applicable to your location given the costs of sourcing the construction materials and the labour.
5. Building Code Compliance: When buildings are first constructed they are done so to the current building code. As time progresses the building code changes and it is sometimes necessary for existing buildings to be upgraded to current code. A good example of this is the need for disabled access to buildings and internal disabled facilities. When you inspect and list a building you should identify if any such notices under the building code currently exist. A note of caution here; when a building is put through a major refurbishment, the planning authority may regard the refurbishment activity as a trigger for a code compliance upgrade. This can be a large cost. A quantity surveyor is the best person to consult on costs of this nature.
6. Floor and site surveys: When working with investment properties it is the internal lettable space that is of prime importance to the generation of rental and occupancy. All the leases for the tenants will be linked to the survey plans and the net lettable area therein. For this reason you should ask to see the survey plans for the building and the lettable space. You need to know that they are accurate and up to date at the time of sale or lease. Part of this process is to inspect the property with the plans so that you can identify any discrepancies. In all cases of error or concern with the plans you should get a building surveyor to give assistance and guidance.
7. As Built Drawings: Every building has a set of plans that were approved for the building to be constructed. They are a great source of information and cover, structural, hydraulic, electrical, mechanical, and lighting layouts. They are an excellent source of information on which you can base your leasing strategies.
8. Building approvals and permits: Does the building still comply with the original building permit issued by the building authority? Most particularly does the use of the property still comply with the approval as granted? It pays to get a copy of the current building approval when possible because a wise purchaser or tenant will want to see it.
9. BMU: This stands for the 'building maintenance unit' and is likely to exist in multi level buildings. The BMU is the device that hangs over the side of the building to clean the exterior and the windows at different times of the year. Importantly the BMU has to be safety compliant and also approved for use. When you know that the building has a BMU, it is wise to ask about its use and approvals.
10. Certificates of Occupancy: When a building is first constructed it is inspected and certified for occupancy. The certificate of occupancy is granted by the local building approval authority. From that point onward the occupancy of the building must comply with the approval guidelines. It is possible that the certificate of occupancy can be withdrawn at any time if the building is deemed unsafe or has been damaged. It is therefore something that you would question if doubts about the building exist. In such circumstances get a copy of the certificate of occupancy.
11. Development Approval: When property development is a consideration on the property, seek copy of any existing development approvals. They will stipulate the type of development that has been approved, the elements needed to comply with the approval, and the time line. Properties with existing development approvals may be attractive to purchasers that want to undertake new construction and property developments. You will also need to know if the development approval is transferable with the property to a new owner.
12. Disability and Discrimination Notices: Whilst the commercial property is simply a building constructed at a certain point in time, it is possible that it does not now comply with the current disability access codes and access provisions for buildings of that type. You need to know if any orders have been applied to the building by the building authority for compliance to new disability codes. If any orders exist, it is likely that they will have to be discharged prior to any building sale or lease.
13. Electrical Services: All electrical services in the commercial property must comply with current standards of electrical installation and maintenance. In such circumstances a contractor will normally be undertaking inspections and maintaining a log book for this purpose. If in doubt (and particularly with older buildings), call in an engineer to advise. Thermal scanning of switchboards in older buildings is a good practical processs to identify if matters of breakdown and heat could exist.
14. Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR): In some properties EMR can be generated from plant and machinery (such as the power feed for lifts or mobile antennas on the roof of the building). This then becomes a safety issue for people on site and also will be notable in the poor or erratic performance of sensitive electrical devices such as computers. When this problem is noted it is necessary to involve engineers to advise you. It is also common for barriers to be installed in the area that is involved in EMR.
15. Environmental Risks: In most locations there will be a register of contaminated sites and properties that do not comply with the environmental guidelines. Ask about this when looking at new properties. The most common issues in this regard are tanks in the basement that were used to store heating oil or diesel. They may be now redundant but they are regarded as an environmental risk and will need to be remediated.
16. Essential Services Certification and Compliance: All buildings need to be compliant with fire safety regulations. This can include, sprinklers, smoke detectors, smoke dampers, exit routes and signage, evacuation plans, fire hoses and hydrants, and the list goes on. Importantly all of these essential services systems in a building are regularly checked for compliance by qualified tradespeople. The results of the regular tests are maintained in log books on site. It is wise to question the compliance and checking process. It is something that can hold up sale and settlement.
17. Facade and Cladding: Given the large nature of commercial buildings, it is common for the exterior of the property to sometimes leak or fail. Deterioration is also an issue in the older properties. Whilst you can do your own visual inspections you are not an expert in building construction, and therefore it is sometimes necessary to call in an engineer to give qualified comment and guidance. The integrity of the building fabric will be of concern to the purchaser. In the case of older rendered buildings it is common for rainwater to penetrate cracks in the facade or walls, and cause the render or the concrete to fall away. This process is called 'spalling' and if noted will require engineer comment. It is regarded as a risk to the public and people on the grounds that are accessing the property.
18. Fire protection systems and compliance: Many buyers of a property will want to ensure that the property does comply with safety codes for building occupancy. Part of that will be formalised and operational systems such as building evacuation plans. It pays to ask the seller of a property as to their establishment of the evacuation plans and who is controlling the regular tenant drills and practices. This is highly important in a building with multiple occupants. In such circumstances the landlord is responsible for establishment of the plan and its integration to the tenant's occupation. The lease for each tenant will also refer to their involvement with the fire safety systems and evacuation processes.
19. Geo Technical Surveys: This will be more relevant with land and development sites given that the property and building is still to be established or redeveloped. Has the property had such surveys undertaken? If so what is the status of the survey and the report? If a property is located in an area that appears unstable or if it is on sloping or rocky land, the report will be important to the future of the property. The geo technical report can help with the understanding of construction costs and strategies.
20. Historic site listing: If the building or the property is listed on a register of historic sites then you need to know what this means to the future of the property. Restrictions and limitations can be imposed on future property changes because of the heritage listing. This will add to the development costs and approval processes. If in doubt consult with the local planning approvals authority. If you have a property that is so affected or listed, then you will need an expert such as an architect to assist with the future considerations and costs for the property.
21. Hydraulic services: This is the plumbing and drainage systems for the property. You can ask for the 'as built drawings' of the property as part of your inspection process to understand how these systems integrate into the building and service the tenants. Usually the hydraulic systems will be centred on the core of the building. If a tenant wants to connect tea rooms and kitchens to the system then it is an engineering issue and needs the landlords approval to the process.
22. Indoor air quality: For some older buildings this can be a concern for occupancy. Properties located adjacent to major traffic corridors will also be high on the list when it comes to air quality concerns. Today tenants are very aware of the 'sick building' syndrome and its impact on the workforce both physically and legally. Reports can be obtained from the air conditioning contractor to assist with this problem, and if greater concerns are identified then engineers can be sourced.
23. Lead paint risk: Older buildings may contain surfaces that are coated in lead based paint. This has been proven to be a health concern in occupancy and will deter tenants. When in doubt see expert opinion from an engineer.
24. Legionella health risk and safety compliance: Building owners must comply with the local health regulations regards the health and function of the air conditioning system. Most particularly the issue of legionella is of more concern when there is a 'cooling tower' that functions in the air conditioning system. It is the 'cooling tower' that can become infected with the bacteria and then spread the infection through the building. Larger buildings will commonly contain 'cooling towers' as that is the accepted way to achieve economical function of the air conditioning system. The air conditioning consultant that maintains the air conditioning system for the building owner should have this health risk in check. If in doubt ask the questions. When a property owner self manages a building it is possible that they will either not have the knowledge to do so correctly, or they will cut corners as they do not want to spend money. This is a trigger to ask questions in the property sale.
25. Plant Life cycle: In older buildings the economical and functional life cycle of the plant in the building will become an issue. It can be a costly concern for the building to operate into the future. Buyers will need to assess the stability and function of the plant in the building. It pays to get an engineer's report of the existing plant and machinery before you go to sale when transacting older buildings.
26. Maintenance contracts: Every property will have a selection of maintenance contracts and systems underway. Some of these will pass through settlement to the new property owner as the item under contract involves the amortisation of costly machinery and repairs. A good example here is the lift maintenance contract in the building. Cleaning contracts are also large expense contracts in major properties. As part of the property listing process it pays to understand the contracts that could fall into this category of ongoing cost to the buyer. If they do exist, then get a copy of the contract(s) and review it (them) for details and impact on the sale.
27. Mechanical services risks: The larger the property, the larger the risks when it comes to the mechanical services function and compliance to current operational codes. In the sale of larger properties it is likely that you will need an engineer's report on the mechanical services before you move towards sale. The engineers know what compliance issues exist and how they should be assessed. Have the report available to provide to serious and qualified buyers if they ask any pertinent questions.
28. Nickel Sulphide Inclusion: If you are selling buildings with a lot of exterior glass it is possible that you will have heard of this problem or seen something about it elsewhere. Most particularly nickel sulphide (NS) is an impurity of the glass manufacturing process. NS when it exists in glass it will likely cause the glass to break within 5 years or so of manufacture and this is particularly the case if the glass is on the exterior of the building where it is under the stresses of daily heat and cooling. Given that architects like to use extensive glass on the outside of buildings, the problem of NS breakage is common. If the building is multi storey then you can have a risk event to members of the public that pass the building at street level. If you sell a building with a history of NS then you will need an expert to get involved in a detailed property report on the glass involved and installed in the building.
29. Noise emissions and risks: When working with any commercial property, the problem of noise emissions should be considered. Noise can emanate from the subject property or even neighbouring properties can also create the problem. This will obviously affect the ability to let the property and may create legal action or controversy whilst the property is occupied. Should the tenants in the property be the source of the noise then have the lease document create controls on the tenant in that regard. If you are selling a property with noisy tenants then you should review the lease documentation for similar protection to the purchaser or property owner. Industrial properties are most particularly the properties of concern in this category.
30. Occupational health and safety: The local building code will require compliance to occupational health and safety rules and regulations. It is appropriate to ask the building owner to identify any matters of noncompliance or irregularity. If in doubt seek the assistance of a building engineer or property inspector that is familiar with the health and safety codes in the building type that you are handling.
31. Machinery risk and unsafe workspaces: This is normally the concern of the tenants that occupy the premises given the way they install and use the machinery on the property as part of their business operations. There are however situations where the landlord may also have responsibility and this regard. This can be in areas which create risk or injury to people. It may be enclosed spaces where people can enter and be accidentally locked away then unable to escape. It can also be areas of danger such as radio frequency exposure from antennas on the roof of the building.
32. Ozone depleting substances: This will be in the form of gases that damage the environment. Older air conditioning plant can be affected by the problem. Building owners should have the plant maintained within current plant and machinery codes to control the threat. A report from an engineer will assist here.
33. Polychlorinated biphenyls: PCB's are a group of manufactured organic chemicals that contain chlorinated chemicals (known as congeners). Concentrated PCBs are either oily liquids or solids and are colourless to light yellow in colour. They have no known smell or taste. There are no known natural sources of PCBs. PCB's are residual contaminants from industrial processes and remain in the soil and on the property for many years unless correctly remediated. Given that industrial property was usually the source or storage of PCB's, it still remains a problem today for real estate agents and brokers as they sell older properties. PCBs were originally used extensively in industry as they are a good insulating material. They have been used widely as coolants and lubricants in transformers, capacitors, and other electrical equipment. The manufacture of PCBs stopped generally around 1977 because of evidence that they build up in the environment and cause harmful health effects. Products containing PCBs are old fluorescent lighting fixtures, electrical appliances containing PCB capacitors, old microscope oil, and hydraulic fluids. During the time that PCBs were manufactured, there were often no effective controls on disposal.
34. Plant and equipment lists: When selling a commercial property, it is necessary to itemise the plant and the equipment across the property. This would normally be done in conjunction with the building engineer suitably skilled in the process. If your property is complex and large, it is a wise move to get this list creation process underway early.
35. Registration of plant and equipment: Some plant and equipment within the building is required to be registered with the local authorities. This is generally because that plant and equipment is regarded as a threat to the environment or to the public at large. The most common listings of plant and equipment are storage devices. The authorities like to know what is being stored on the property and where the storage devices are located. It can also be the case that the storage devices are suitably certified and registered the each year for compliance to matters of structural integrity. If any plant and machinery is certified in this regard, you should seek a copy of the latest certificates of registration.
36. Boundary survey: If the boundary of the property shows irregularity or is not clearly defined, then it is appropriate to get a surveyor to peg the boundary points and provide a plan of the site. Real estate agents and brokers should not give any guarantees as to the locations of the boundary of the property. If the buyer requires this information, then get a surveyor involved for the buyer's satisfaction.
37. Standby generator: In larger buildings it is common for standby generators to support essential power circuits in the building. This does not mean that full power is supported to the tenants in the event of a power outage. If the building has a standby generator, it is appropriate to ask for clarity on what circuits of energy are supported by the generator. This information should be supplied to tenants in the building and any purchasers of the property. It is likely that the leases for tenants will make reference to the standby generator and the way it operates. If the building operates the standby generator to support 100% building demand by then it is usually tested annually in this regard. Certificates of compliance can be sourced. In large shopping centres it is common for standby generators to supply 100% power for a period of time (usually 30 minutes) in the event of a power outage. This allows the tenants to safely shut down their business and the occupants of the building to be correctly evacuated at the time of the major power outage.
38. Flooding risks and storm water: The local environment can present flooding risks. This can be identified from the location of local creeks and rivers, the coastline, and the levels and slope of land across the property. When in doubt, seek the assistance of property surveyors to clarify the risk of flooding locally and to the property. If the risk of flooding does exist and is known to all parties, it is necessary to apply restraints on occupancy so that the environment and the property are not damaged. These restraints will be reflected in the leases for the property. In such a situation, you will need to review the leases prior to any sale.
39. Structural risks: Every constructed property has the potential for structural risks. The older the property, the more likely this is to occur. The exterior facades of buildings are a common culprit here. The purchaser of a building will not want to assume or acquire structural risks, for this reason you will need to get engineers' reports prior to moving to sale if issues are known or have been experienced on the property. It may also be necessary for the landlord to remediate the structural risk prior to marketing a property.
40. Synthetic mineral fibre: Most particularly this will be the installation or existence of Fibreglass and similar manmade fibres. Whilst this may not necessarily be a risk to the occupants of the building, it should be understood and documented by engineers to the building.
41. Trade waste: The tenants to the property may very well produce hazardous trade waste as part of their business. If this is the case, you will need to identify the controls and processes that the tenant uses to comply with property usage. Certification and regulation regards the hazardous trade waste will be an ongoing matter to which the tenant must comply. It is likely that the leases to the property will impose restrictions and obligations on the tenant in this regard. When in doubt, read the leases to check what is required of the tenant.
42. Traffic management: The property could be located on a major or minor road which has restrictions regards traffic access. This can apply to both the time of access and the points of access. If the tenant or the owner of the property requires extensive deliveries, this can be an issue. When in doubt, consult the local planning authority and highways commission for details of access rules and regulations. Also enquire as to the impact of any rights of way and easements which may apply to the subject property.
43. Underground storage tanks: Whilst we have mentioned this elsewhere, the existence of underground storage tanks is regarded as a hazard to the environment. These tanks are usually certified and regularly inspected. Awareness and disclosure of the tanks existence is imperative.
44. Vertical transport compliance: In multilevel buildings, vertical transport will be achieved through mechanical lifts or escalators. These mechanical services are regulated as to safety and operation. Annual certification and regular contractor maintenance will ensure compliance. Reference to the contractor involved will allow you to cover this issue and ensure compliance prior to sale.
45. Building warranties: When a building is newly constructed, or plant and machinery is newly installed, or tenant fitout is newly installed, the works involved will usually have an existing warranty for a period of time. If these warranties exist, they should transfer to the new owner of the building at the time of sale. Your job is to enquire as to the existence of any warranties as you move towards sale.
46. Zoning of the property and itcompliance: The property will be located in a zone detailed in the local development plans. Importantly, the property and its usage must comply with the zoning. If the property is a non-conforming or illegal usage to the existing zoning, then this should be detailed, advised, and acknowledged by all parties. As to how the contract is designed for such a sale, is up to the solicitors for both parties. In most circumstances of this type, special conditions are constructed which explain the intentions of the parties involved.

##Need More Help?##

John Highman is a prominent investment real estate speaker and coach that helps real estate agents and real estate brokers globally to improve their commercial real estate market share and close more sales and leasing deals. He himself is a successful real estate agent that has specialised in commercial, industrial, and retail real estate of all types for over 30+ years.

Whether you specialise in real estate sales, leasing, or investment, John has the tools that can help you and your office succeed in your market.

Today John Highman gives workshops and keynotes to real estate agents and brokers globally on how to be professionally better than your competition in any market and drive more of the right listings and commissions.

Join John Highman's global community of commercial real estate agents and brokers. The community can be accessed at http://www.commercial-realestate-training.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Highman

Don't Know Much About a Home Inspection? 不很了解房屋檢驗嗎？

Here are 6 Helpful Facts from Home Inspection News & Articles...
Fact #1 - A home inspector will pinpoint any current or potential problems, but will not fix them.
驗屋師將針對任何現有或潛在的問題，但不會解決這些問題。
A home inspector will never fix any problems in a home. The inspector's only job is to diagnose any existing or potential problems and provide the buyers with a written report about those problems. Of course, the buyer can use this as a negotiation tool with the sellers, but shouldn't expect any repairs to be made by the home inspector.

Fact #2 - The home inspection will address only structural issues, not cosmetic ones.
房屋檢驗有助解決房屋結構性問題，而不是表面的裝修。
When it comes to scrapes and scratches, buyers are on their own. These are considered cosmetic issues and not included with the home inspection. Offbeat paint colours, nicks in the wall and stained carpet, while visually unappealing, have nothing to do with the condition of the home.

Fact #3 - It is unethical for a seller to conceal any problems within the house.
若賣方隱瞞任何房子內的問題是不道德的。
Real estate professionals advise sellers not to try to conceal problems with the house. The ethical and legal thing is for them to let the buyer know about any structural problems. Plus, a home inspector will most likely uncover these problems when the inspection is done.

Fact #4 - Sellers should fix any major problems before a home inspection.
賣方應該在驗屋前修妥任何重大問題。
It is often a good idea for home sellers to fix any major problems before a house is put on the market. If they're left incomplete, it can lead to a negative home inspection and mean losing money on the home sale.

Fact #5 - The home inspection may not cover everything.
房屋檢驗不可能面面俱到。
The scope and size of the home inspection depend on the type of contract the buyer has with the seller. A typical home inspection includes the structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing aspects of a house. There may be extra services provided as well, such as radon testing or mould detection.

Fact #6 - Everything should work as it was intended - everything doesn't have to be new and of the latest technology.
房屋與設施都應該操作正常 - 但都不必是全新和最新科技。
Inspection is to make sure that everything is in working order and doesn't require repairs. Of course, a home buyer would like everything new and up-to-date, but that isn't within the scope of a home inspector's job. The house just needs to be in sound condition and the age is not relevant unless the home is 100+ years old.

New law to have Smoke Alarm in ALL homes 火警煙霧警報器

BC Fire Code require that every private home and hotel or motel room (including built before 1979) must have smoke alarms installed by May 1, 2010. For more information about this new Law you can visit the BC Government Website's Housing and Construction Standards or visit Safe at Home for the pamphlet explaing the new law.

For every household, it is better upgrade the existing smoke alarms to interconnected smoke alarm equipped with carbon monoxide alarm. Test the smoke alarms monthly by press the test buttons. The alarm will tell you for a new replacement when it is expired.

US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates there was a yearly average of 386,300 residential fires resulting in nearly 2,400 deaths between 2006 and 2008. Two-thirds of fire deaths occur in homes where there are no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. That is why it is important to replace batteries at least once every year and to test your alarms every month to make sure they work.

US CPSC estimates there was an annual average of 183 unintentional non-fire CO poisoning deaths associated with consumer products between 2006 and 2008. CO is called the "invisible killer," because it is a colorless, odorless and poisonous gas. Because of this, people may not know they are being poisoned. Carbon monoxide is produced by the incomplete burning of fuel in various products, including furnaces, portable generators, fireplaces, cars and charcoal grills. That is why it is important to have working CO alarms in the home, on each level and outside each sleeping area.

世界新聞網-北美華人社區新聞 - 日前造成兩名女童喪命的素里民宅火警證實為一宗意外，但調查人員指屋內三個煙霧警報器（Smoke Detectors / Smoke Alarm）有兩個失效，否則悲劇或可避免。

周二清晨6時30日發生在素里市125街9400號路段的火警，造成五歲莎嘉（Sajel Saroya）與三歲的普莉亞（Priya Saroya）兩姊妹葬身火窟。警方調查後證實事件為意外，並無人為縱火跡象。

但調查人員指當時屋內的三個煙霧警報器中有兩個並未發生作用，否則住戶應有更多救人及逃生時間，這場悲劇或可避免。

素里消防局副局長卡維里亞（Jon Caviglia）表示，地下室與一樓的兩個煙霧警報器失效，但樓上的警報器則運作正常。他說鑑識人員相信起火點在一樓客廳。

The Most Overlooked Fire Hazard In Your Home 

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January - National Radon Action Month 氡氣行動月

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated January National Radon Action Month. Please click here to learn more about the national effort to take action against radon.

Radon is a colourless, odourless, radioactive gas that occurs naturally in the environment. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soils and rocks. The 2009 Maclean's magazine reports that 2,000 Canadians died from radon exposure in their home.

Health Canada planned to spend almost $1 million testing 18,000 randomly chosen homes to make a "radon potential map". The first year (2009) result was published in the Cross-Canada Survey of Radon Concentrations in Homes. The final report was released in March 2012. 54 samples were collected from Richmond and 100% were below 200 Bq/m3.

In 2007, we had protocols done by the BC Centre for Disease Control. A BC radon map was made (see map). Please don't panic, on average only 2.5% of households contain "unsafe" levels (more than 200 becquerels per cubic metre Bq/m3 = 5 pCi/L ). The Richmond houses are far away from the affected BC interior area. Keep this in mind! No smoking and keep proper ventilation in your home.
Please click here for the NEW 2021 interactive map that estimates local health risks due to indoor radon levels in BC.

In 2021 BC Radon Data Repository (BCRDR) shows the average of 54 Richmond samples have 11 Bq/m3. 

氡氣是無色無臭的放射性氣體，由泥土及岩石中微量的鈾自然分解出來。室內的氡氣來自地基裂縫、建築用石材及食水。是主要環境致癌物質之一，也是吸菸以外引發肺癌的第二大殺手。每年有2000加人致死原因與家中含放射性元素有關。請勿吸菸！並保持室內空氣清新即可確保健康。

卑斯省於2007年完成試驗並製成分佈圖(見附圖)。從圖中所見，列治文市並不在 200 becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m3 貝克)= 5 pCi/L 高危範圍內。

2021年卑詩綜合數據庫顯示列治文收到的54個樣本，平均值只有 11 Bq/m3，全部合乎低於 200 Bq/m3 的標準。請單擊此處 http://www.bccdc.ca/about/news-stories/stories/2021/new-interactive-radon-map 查看 2021 年卑斯省氡氣地圖。

聯邦衛生局動用一百萬元為18,000家庭測試氡氣含量，並繪畫全國氡氣分佈圖。2年計劃的首年共檢驗9,000間房屋，結果顯示紐賓士域、緬尼吐巴、沙斯卡川、育空有較多房屋的氡氣濃度超過每立方米空氣不得超過200貝克(Bq)的國家指引。貝克勒爾是放射性活度量度單位，指每秒有一個原子衰變。

紐賓士域有11.7%房屋氡氣濃度處於200至600貝克的第一級超高水準，5.3%房子甚至超過600貝克而達到第二級超高水準。
沙斯卡川的第一級及第二級超高水準氡氣濃度房屋，分別有14.2%及1.6%，緬尼吐巴為22.1%及1.4%，育空為10.6%及5.3%。
安大略僅有4.9%房屋氡氣濃度超過國家指引，魁北克則有9%，而努納伏的房屋都沒有超高水準的氡氣。

Related web:
Radon Awareness in Canada

CCOHS - Radon in Building
BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC)
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
WHO International Radon Project / WHO Handbook on Indoor Radon (September 2009)
世卫组织 - 氡与癌症
US Environmental Protection Agency
Radon: Truth vs. myth / Radon: Risk and Reality
The Radon Information Center (for test equipment)
房屋及其他居所內的氡氣 / Radon in Homes and Other Dwellings - HealthLinkBC

美國俄勒岡州公共衛生部指引

Related news:
2009/02/09 VHIJ - Is Radon gas in your home? 您家有氡氣嗎？
2010/12/01 Sing Tao - 全國7%房屋 氡氣濃度過高