Using information entered by an inspector, CEA’s new tool collects data about a house’s structural and geological risks. It can calculate a vulnerability score, offer suggestions for improvements and generate a detailed report that can be sent to a homeowner or buyer.
“We want to help Californians learn more about their risks for earthquake damage to their homes,” said CEA CEO Glenn Pomeroy. “QuakeGrade is a great new tool and will help homeowners see what specific steps they can take to lower the risk of shake damage to their house.”
CEA’s new QuakeGrade™ tool can be used on desktop computers, tablets and smartphones and is available to California-licensed engineers, California-licensed contractors and certified California Real Estate Inspection Association (CREIA) home inspectors (those with the certified CREIA inspector or master CREIA inspector designation). It is based on the CEA-funded FEMA P-50 form for assessing the seismic vulnerabilities of single-family, wood-frame dwellings and the FEMA P-50-1 guidelines for retrofitting those dwellings.
“Seismic inspections will help people learn about their house’s vulnerabilities to shake damage during a strong earthquake,” said CEA Chief Mitigation Officer Janiele Maffei. “QuakeGrade can be part of simplifying the seismic evaluation process.”
QuakeGrade™ is compatible with iOS and Android smartphones and can be used in Internet Explorer 10, Safari and Chrome. Home inspectors, engineers and contractors can register to use it at QuakeGrade.com.
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The California Earthquake Authority (CEA) is a not-for-profit, privately funded, publicly managed organization that provides residential earthquake insurance and encourages Californians to reduce their risk of earthquake loss. Learn more at EarthquakeAuthority.com.