In 2004, the Ministry of Education launched the School Seismic Mitigation Program in an effort to identify schools that may have structural risks associated with a seismic event.
In 2004, a partnership was developed with the Association of professional Engineers and geoscientists of BC as well as leading post educational research facilities to evaluate schools for seismic safety based on the latest research from major earthquakes around the globe.
Since 2004, these experts have developed new guidelines and new assessment tools to conduct a comprehensive reassessment leading to a more accurate picture of seismic safety risks in B.C. schools. Risk categories have been established to determine the various levels of seismic risks in schools. All schools in BC have now been assessed against this criterion.
| High 1 (H1) Most vulnerable structure. At highest risk of widespread damage or structural failure, not repairable after a large seismic event. Structural and non-structural seismic upgrades required. |
| High 2 (H2) Vulnerable structure, at high risk of widespread damage or structural failure, likely not repairable after a large seismic event. Structural and non-structural seismic upgrades required. |
| High 3 (H3)Isolated failure of building elements such as walls are expected, building not likely repairable after a large seismic event. Structural and non-structural seismic upgrades required. |
| Medium (M) Isolated damage to building elements is expected, non-structural elements (such as bookshelves, lighting) are at risk of failure. Non-structural upgrades required. Building to be upgraded or replaced within the Capital Plan when it has reached the end of its useful life. |
| Low (L) Least vulnerable structure. Would experience isolated damage and would probably be repairable after a seismic event. Non-structural upgrades may be required. |
In general, the seismic risk increases in BC as one travels from the Alberta border to the ocean. The entire lower mainland of BC, including the Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows School District, is located in a seismic zone with a higher risk than many other parts of BC.
The latest Seismic Structural Risk Rating report was issued in September 2013 and shows updated risk ratings by block for all schools within the Province‘s 37 high risk seismic zones, including the Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows School District schools.
Blocks are essentially areas within a school that are of different construction types, therefore having different structural characteristics. For example, gymnasiums are typically a different type of structure than classroom blocks. The list shows the overall risk rating for the school, as well as the status by block.
Schools constructed since 1992 are not listed on the report. These schools were constructed to modern structural codes and should not require structural seismic upgrading.