Thursday, May 31, 2018

Richmond is Not at Significant Risk of Tsunamis 列治文沒有遭受重大的海嘯風險

2005年由列治文市和三角洲市政府,委託西門菲沙大學進行研究列治文島嶼和三角洲社區的海嘯風險。由 John Clague博士和 Ian Hutchinson博士研究報告發現在過去的4000年裡,儘管地質學家認為在此期間,在溫哥華島西部的卡斯卡迪亞俯衝帶上有許多巨型地震(里氏8級),但沒有證據表明菲沙三角洲曾經遭受重大海嘯影響。
但是我們必須學習緊急應變的知識,因為我們都有機會住在高風險地區和旅行。https://www.richmond.ca/safety/prepare/city/hazards/tsunamis.htm
https://firerescue.richmond.ca/know-your-risks-earthquakes-and-tsunami/

通過 www.flood.firetree.net 網站可以查看海水上升對各大陸的影響。也可以來看看不同海水高度對大溫的影響情況。


Tsunamis 
The word "tsunami" is from the Japanese words tsu (harbour) and nami (wave). Tsunamis are large wave events resulting from a significant displacement of water. These are caused by occurrences such as underwater earthquakes, underwater landslides, land-based landslides, a major oceanic volcanic eruption and less commonly, a meteorite oceanic landing. 

Richmond is Not at Significant Risk of Tsunamis


While Richmond is an island community, we are not at significant risk of a tsunami. A 2005 study commissioned by the City of Richmond and the Corporation of Delta was prepared by Dr John Clague and Dr Ian Hutchinson of the Simon Fraser University (SFU).  The study found no evidence that a significant tsunami has impacted the Fraser River delta, from any source, in the last 4000 years.  This is despite the fact that during this period geologists believe there were numerous mega-earthquakes (magnitude 8+ on the Richter Scale) along the Cascadia subduction zone lying west of Vancouver Island. 

The reason Pacific generated tsunamis do not impact the Fraser River delta is because Vancouver Island lies between the two, which creates a kind of breakwater or natural protective barrier that absorbs the major impact of a tsunami.  To prove this theory, scientists have computer modelled Pacific Ocean tsunami waves (generated close to Vancouver Island) as they move down the Juan de Fuca Strait, into the Georgia Strait and finally to the western delta shore.  The model predicted that during this journey wave energy would dissipate so much that any wave reaching the western delta shore would be less than 0.5m high.

The evidence that no significant tsunami has impacted the delta area in the last 4000 years is further supported by the 2003 study Numerical Modeling of Tsunamis Generated by Hypothetical Landslides in the Strait of Georgia, BC.  This study modelled hypothetical underwater landslides between Roberts Bank and the Fraser River delta.  It found that, while a significant landslide could generate an 18m high wave at Galiano Island, the local shoreward moving wave from a major slide would be only 2m high.  This, in part, is due to the submerged banks ability to deflect wave energy away from the shoreline.  The study also suggested that if a 2m high wave occurred its energy, and therefore its ability to flood land, would be dissipated by the Fraser River Delta’s wide tidal flats.  It is therefore believed that any wave generated by an underwater landslide at Sturgeon Bank would not pose a significant flood risk to the City.  This is due to the waves relatively small height potential, the 6 km wide tidal flats that a wave would have to cross to reach the City dyke and the fact that the City’s dyke stands approximately 3.5m above mean sea level.

Hypothetical tsunamis generated from other sources, such as land-based landslides and underwater earthquakes in the Georgia Strait, have not been extensively studied.  However, as there is no evidence that significant tsunamis have occurred in the past 4000 years, the City considers it highly unlikely that such sources could trigger a significant tsunami.

For a summary of the 2005 study conducted by SFU, please follow the link: Tsunami Hazard at the Fraser River Delta, BC.


In the Event of a Tsunami 
In the event of a Tsunami in the Pacific Basin, the Province will alert local governments and broadcast warnings over local radio stations.  In response to this, some local governments in high-risk areas, such as on the west coast of Vancouver Island, may initiate emergency evacuation procedures.  Due to the insignificant risk to Richmond, the City has no plans to instigate an emergency evacuation for a tsunami.

Evacuation

If following an incident evacuation of the community is necessary, the routes used will be based on an assessment of the damage at the time of the emergency.  Evacuation instructions including safe routes would be broadcast over the radio, so we recommend that you include a battery operated radio as part of your emergency supplies.

Disaster Response Routes have been designated throughout Richmond and the Lower Mainland as routes for first responders. Fire, police, ambulance and public works crews will require quick access to emergency sites to help rescue victims, fight fires, secure the emergency scene, distribute supplies and critical resources and transport the injured to the hospitals.  Residents are asked to stay off these routes when activated unless directed otherwise by emergency personnel.


How You Can Prepare
As with any potential disaster individuals, families and businesses need to be prepared to survive on their own for a minimum of 72 hours and up to 7 days.  To help you prepare, the Emergency Preparedness section of the City’s website offers tips on what emergency supplies you should have, how to develop a family emergency plan and how to protect yourself during earthquakes and other natural hazards.
Reception Centres
During an emergency, the City may establish a reception centre to assist evacuees in areas affected by the emergency.  A reception centre is any safe gathering place, such as a community centre, church or hotel conference room where individuals may obtain information and receive assistance.  Services such as family reunification, food, clothing, emergency first aid and lodging arrangements are typically performed at Reception Centres by City of Richmond staff and volunteers. For more information please refer to the Reception Centres section of the website.


Related News:
2019/08/30 BCbay.com - 看看9级地震后大温哪些地方还能幸存? / 可怕视频:9级大地震海啸可达20米 瞬间冲向大温 

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

地震週 Earthquake Week

根據「心聲」報導 (Voice News Vol. 195, April 20, 2018),每隔14個月,卑詩省和美國西海岸上的華盛頓州就會發生不下數百次的小型地震。專家表示预計2018年4月18日左右開始的两星期,卑詩省將會進入小型地震的頻發時期。




Related News:

專家憂加州出現強震

Thursday, September 28, 2017

列治文市緊急通報系統 Richmond BC Alert - Emergency Notification System

The new Emergency Notification System was launched in May 2021


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如果你或工作在卑詩省列治文市,並希望在發生緊急災難時,可以即時收到列治文市政府發出的免費緊急信息,請立刻登入以下市政府官方網站,以英文登記你的姓名、地址(先入街號,再入街名,然後選單位號數)電話和電郵,和家人的電話和電郵,所有資料絕對保密,市政府不會濫發垃圾電郵。 www.richmond.ca/safety/prepare/notify-me.htm 亦可直接進入登記專頁 www.richmondbcalert.ca 

上述登記以地址為單位,請你在搬家後,再次登入將整個舊地址資料删除,以新地址從新登記,以免新業主或租客不能登記,如有查詢請致電604-233-3333,謝謝合作。請立刻登記,並轉發給你居住在列治文市的親友們。

在緊急情況下  In the Event of an Emergency:
接收最新公告 Follow up-to-the-minute bulletins
按指示走下一步 Find out what to do next
獲取實時更新 Get updates in real-time
了解和迴避風險 Know the risks and how to avoid them
計劃留在安全的地方 Plan to stay safe

選擇您的接收方式  Choose how you would like to receive updates:
電話 Phone x 6,
短信 Text x 1,
電子郵件 Email x 2
傳真 Fax x 1
您只會在緊急情況下收到通知。
You will only receive notifications in the event of an emergency.

更多有關災難緊急通報系統的網站:
暫時大温地區只有列治文,西温及北温有用電話、電郵及短訊的緊急通報系統,但所有市政府都有災難的緊急應變計劃刊登載在官方網站上,並鼓勵市民參加免費講座,學習與家人如何應變,更不時招募義工受訓加入防災隊伍,詳情請登入各級政府官方網站的災難繄急應變资訊:

Monday, May 1, 2017

EnerGuide rating 0-100 scale


EnerGuide rating 0-100 scale






Natural Resources Canada is working with partners as they prepare to adopt updates to the EnerGuide rating scale and other rating system components by province and territory across the country.  During this transition period, provinces and territories will continue to use the 0-100 scale until they are ready to adopt the new gigajoules per year scale. Learn more about what's changing.
When you have an EnerGuide evaluation completed for your home, you will receive an evaluation report, rating and a label. These products were derived from information collected by your energy advisor during the evaluation after being entered into NRCan’s modelling software which calculates the home’s EnerGuide rating.

EnerGuide rating




EnerGuide rating
The EnerGuide rating is a snapshot of the home’s energy performance at the time of the evaluation.
It is the energy efficiency score of your home and it ranges between 0and 100.
The more efficient a house, the higher the rating number:
0 represents a house with major air leakage, no insulation and high fuel consumption. In other words, a house with poor energy efficiency and high utility costs.
100 represents an airtight and well-insulated house where energy purchased and energy generated, through renewable sources, is equal. Also called a ‘net-zero’ home.

See how your home measures below:
House CharacteristicsTypical ERS Rating
Existing house not upgraded0 to 50
Upgraded existing house51 to 65
Energy-efficient upgraded existing house66 to 74
New house built to building code standards without energy requirements70 to 76
New house built to building code standards containing energy requirements77 to 80
Energy efficient new house81 to 85
High-performance, energy efficient new house86 to 99
Net zero house (energy purchased and energy generated, through renewable sources, is equal)100
Since only the house is rated and is not based on the number of occupants or how they use it, the energy simulation software uses a set of standardized operating conditions to evaluate the house.
The Standard Operating Conditions allow for comparisons of all houses so you get an objective measure to compare your house to another in your region. The EnerGuide rating is not just a number; it provides details on your house that you can’t get elsewhere such as how your home’s energy use compares to other homes in Canada.
The rating assumes a standard number of occupants and energy use patterns. The values are:
  • four occupants (two adults and two children) who are present 50 percent of the time;
  • a temperature set-point of 21°C for the main and upper floors and 19°C for the basement;
  • a consumption of 225 litres of domestic hot water per day;
  • an electricity consumption for lighting and appliances of 24 kilowatt hours (kWh) per day; and
  • a total minimum monthly average ventilation rate of 0.30 air change per hour during the heating season, including natural air infiltration and mechanical ventilation.

EnerGuide label




EnerGuide label
Text version
After the evaluation is performed for your home, an EnerGuide label will be affixed to your electrical panel.

If you decide to do a follow-up EnerGuide home evaluation after you complete energy efficiency upgrades in your home, you will also receive a new rating and a label.

EnerGuide evaluation report

EnerGuide evaluation report
The evaluation report is your roadmap to help you save energy.
The evaluation report provides you with your EnerGuide rating and a home energy action checklist with recommended retrofits to improve the energy efficiency of your home.

Thursday, September 1, 2016

BC Licensed Home Inspector After September 1, 2016

How to Become a BC Licensed Home Inspector After September 1, 2016

If you are thinking about becoming a licensed home inspector in BC, this information is for you.  

In March of 2016, the provincial government announced changes to BC’s licensing and regulatory model for home inspectors that will come into effect on September 1, 2016. , Consumer Protection enforces BC’s consumer protection laws and has been regulating and licensing the home inspection sector since 2009.  Please keep reading to find out about the new requirements that apply to you. You can also read this important information bulletin; that speaks to the new requirements for all home inspectors. 

Consumer Protection BC is providing this information to help you prepare for changes to the law that come into effect on September 1, 2016.  Please visit our web portal at  www.homeinspectionrightsbc.ca for updates. 

If you are in the process of completing or have enrolled in an education program prior to September 1, 2016, information specific to you will be available shortly.

Consumer Protection BC’s role

Consumer Protection BC regulates and licenses seven different business sectors and a number of consumer transactions including gift cards, credit reporting and consumer contracts.  One of the licensed business sectors that Consumer Protection regulates is home inspectors, and as part of that oversight Consumer Protection BC approves educational programs, handles consumer complaints, conducts inspections, enforces laws and provides consumer education.  

One of the changes coming into effect on September 1, 2016  is that membership in a home inspector association will no longer be required to qualify for a licence from Consumer Protection BC.  Therefore, practical training and peer review requirements currently required by and facilitated by the associations have been revised and will be the responsibility of the applicant on their path to licensing. This means that as of September 1, 2016, you will have more flexibility in obtaining the qualifications for licensing. 

Qualifications for Licensing    

(Graphical Representation of Steps to Become a Home Inspector) Here 


Effective September 1, 2016, in order to qualify for a home inspector licence, you must do all of the following:

  1.  Complete an approved educational program and submit proof of completion as part of your application package.  More information on approved educational programs can be found here 
  2. Pass a designated exam from one of the four examination bodies (formally designated associations). More information on designated home inspector exams can be found here.
  3. Complete 50 hours of practical training by accompanying an approved home inspector (trainer) on home inspections More information on this requirement is available here.  A list of approved trainers will be available prior to September 1, 2016.  
  4. Submit a peer recommendation letter signed by an approved home inspector (evaluator) that attests to your knowledge and ability to conduct home inspections and prepare home inspection reports. More information on this requirement is available here.  A list of approved trainers will be available prior to September 1, 2016.
  5. Complete and submit a full home inspector licence application package. The application package applicable for use after September 1, 2016 will be posted soon.
  6. Note for applications submitted prior to September 1, 2016 the application package applicable can be found here

Approved Educational Programs

Educational programs approved by Consumer Protection BC are assessed using a set of requirements outlined in law and policy. Any approved program must include at least 150 hours of direct instruction and be in preparation for a designated exam. The curriculum must, at minimum, cover the following subject areas; roofing, flashing, chimneys, the exterior systems, the structural system, the electrical system, the heating and cooling systems, the insulation and venting systems, the plumbing system, and the interior systems.

We are currently in the process of reviewing and approving educational programs. Once programs have been approved they will be posted here

Designated Examinations 

Effective September 1, 2016, the designated examinations under the Home Inspector Licensing Regulation are:

  1. Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of British Columbia’s (ASTT) House Inspection Competency Examination.   Examination page 
  2. Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors CAHPI(BC) Canadian Home Inspector Examination.  Examination page
  3. Canadian National Association of Certified Home Inspectors’ Associate Level Examination. Examination page
  4. Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors’ National Home Inspector Examination (United States). Examination page

Practical Training 

As of September 1, 2016, the Home Inspector Licensing Regulation requires that you complete 50 hours of practical training by accompanying an approved home inspector (trainer) on home inspections.

The list of approved home inspectors (trainers) will be made available prior to September 1, 2016. Consumer Protection BC has prepared a sample pre-formatted applicant report form that may be used to track and record the practical training. The form is linked here. If you would like more information about the qualifications a trainer/evaluator must meet to be approved by Consumer Protection BC, see our approval policies.

Peer Recommendation Letter

In addition to the practical training, you must also provide, as part of your application, a peer recommendation letter that attests to the fact that you possess the knowledge and ability necessary to conduct home inspections and prepare home inspection reports. You must contact an approved evaluator and make arrangements to have them accompany you on a trial home inspection where they will evaluate your skills and abilities. If the assessment is successful, they will sign off the Peer Recommendation Letter which you must submit as part of your application package. Consumer Protection BC will provide a pre-formatted peer recommendation letter that an evaluator may choose to use. To find out more about the peer recommendation requirements Coming Soon. 

A list of approved evaluators will be available prior to September 1, 2016.  

Insurance

All home inspectors must demonstrate that they have obtained and maintain both errors and omissions and comprehensive general liability insurance. Specifically, licensed home inspectors must have a minimum of $1 million limit/aggregate coverage for both errors & omissions and comprehensive general liability.  The policy cannot exclude water ingress. 

The insurance must be issued by an insurance company authorized under the BC Financial Institutions Act, or Office of the Superintendent of Financial Intuitions and the insurance policy must be in the name of the home inspector.

A list of authorized insurance companies can be found at: http://www.fic.gov.bc.ca/web_listings/AuthorizedInsuranceCompanies.aspx
http://www.osfi-bsif.gc.ca/Eng/osfi-bsif/Pages/default.aspx

Residential Declarations (current requirement) 

Home Inspector Licensing Regulation requires that all licensed home inspectors maintain and declare a business location where they keep records. 
Home inspectors not operating from a retail or commercial location will be required to complete a statutory declaration for working from a non-commercial location i.e. home based business.  Here 

Criminal Record Check (current requirement)

Applicants are required to complete and submit a Consent for Disclosure of Criminal Record Information form found here. Anyone who has been convicted of an offence under the Criminal Code of Canada or any other statute must also complete and submit a Consent for Disclosure of Criminal Record Information form and a Statutory Declaration of Criminal Record form found here.  

For more information

We understand that it can be difficult to understand all the implications of a change to the law. If you have questions about the new rules or about our processes, we are happy to help you.  Please contact us at 1-888-564-9963 or operations@consumerprotectionbc.ca.  Our online information is consistently being updated and we encourage you to visit www.homeinspectionrightsbc.ca often.