FEMA P50 – Simplified Seismic Assessment of Wood-framed Dwellings
Hosted and taught by FEMA, will teach inspectors how to utilize the simplied seismic assessment form. This document helps homeowners with a seismic performance guide that identifies areas of retrofit. Providing a seismic inspection is highly beneficial and appealing for homeowners and a great source of additional income for home inspectors.
Buying and owning a home is a large investment fraught with potential risks. Home inspectors help home buyers and owners identify risks that can be mitigated to help protect that investment. In California one risk stands out that until now has not had a standardized tool to use in evaluating a house’s vulnerabilities. Earthquakes. While more prevalent along the coastal regions of California, earthquakes are a hazard risk throughout the state. The training offered in this session, Simplified Seismic Assessment of Detached, Single-Family, Wood-Frame Dwellings (FEMA P-50), will instruct home inspectors in the use of the Simplified Seismic Assessment Form. The form will help home inspectors evaluate a dwelling for seismic vulnerabilities and provide homeowners with a Seismic Performance Grade that identifies portions of the house in need of retrofit. This information will help homeowners who may be interested in completing a seismic retrofit of their house, or to determine if their house meets the requirements for an insurance mitigation discount. Since home inspectors are at the forefront of helping homeowners identify the structural risks of their houses, providing the service of seismic inspection is an added value that homeowners will appreciate.
The training is being offered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), with coordination through the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and the California Earthquake Authority (CEA).
The CEA, offers earthquake insurance to California homeowners and renters, and works to encourage all Californians to take steps to reduce the risk of earthquake loss. For more information on the CEA visit
The CRMP is a joint power authority created between the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and the CEA to provide programs to provide homeowners assistance in the seismic retrofit of their houses. The first program of the CRMP is the Earthquake Brace + Bolt program, which offers homeowners up to $3,000 to offset expenses incurred in seismically retrofitting their home. The program is available in limited areas, and is slated for further expansion. For more information on the program visit