Philippine Standard Time
 

The Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) releases the How Safe Is My House? Self-check for Earthquake Safety of Concrete Hollow Block (CHB) Houses in the Philippines mobile application for Android users on 13 April 2021. The app provides a simple and easy-to-use tool for owners and occupants of residential houses and other 1-2 storey CHB buildings. 

 

How Safe is My House Mobile application

 

By answering 12 questions, Android users can evaluate the safety of their CHB houses, and understand its likely vulnerability to a strong earthquake. The result determines if the structure is safe and presumably built according to standard construction procedures. If not, it may recommend further professional consultations and necessary structural strengthening. 

How Safe is My House? is downloadable for FREE on Google Play Store or through tiny.cc/HSIMH. This mobile app is adapted from the 2014 print information material, which was a major output of the collaborative project of DOST-PHIVOLCS with the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (NIED), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Japan Science and Technology (JST), and the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines (ASEP). A web-based version and Filipino translation will also be made available soon to stakeholders via multiple channels.

Through this mobile application, DOST-PHIVOLCS aims to reach out to as many Filipinos as possible, making the diagnosis of CHB houses quick and easy. It is envisioned that through this innovation, people would be more conscious of the need to construct seismically-sound structures. In the future, with existing collaborations with other agencies, the mobile application may be expanded to include other diagnostic tools for natural hazards.

The development of the How Safe is My House app is another DOST-PHIVOLCS initiative that aims to increase the awareness of proper construction practices and standard design, and highlight the importance of structural integrity in building safer and resilient Filipino communities. 

 

For information, please contact:

Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr.

Undersecretary, DOST

and Officer-in-Charge, PHIVOLCS

(632) 8926-2611

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