MANILA: A tool that will diagnose the soundness of the structure of houses will soon be made available to the public.
A report by the Philippine News Agency said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) will make available to the public beginning this year its diagnostic tool for helping people gauge if their houses are safe to live in.
The launch is part of Phivolcs’ continuing campaign for safe construction to help better protect life, limb and property.
The campaign was launched following the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit the Visayas area in October.
The Philippines is also frequently struck by earthquakes as it is in the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum Jr said the tool features 12 safe construction-related questions those users must answer using the numbers one or zero to get a total score that will indicate whether or not their houses are safe.
A score of 11 to 12 points indicate a user’s house is safe, he said.
He said a score of eight to 10 points indicate the user must have his or her house inspected.
PHIVOLCS provides information on volcanoes, earthquakes, and tsunamis.
The Philippine Star
