Earthquake Authority Creates Online Home Vulnerability Evaluator

The California Earthquake Authority has created an online tool to help home inspection specialists evaluate a house’s vulnerability to earthquake damage.

The online tool, QuakeGrade, uses information entered by an inspector and 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,” CEA CEO Glenn Pomeroy said in a statement. “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.”

QuakeGrade 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 home inspectors.