Resources and Webinars

Stay Informed

The following pages can be useful to monitor public weather and health alerts.

Public Weather Alerts for British Columbia - https://weather.gc.ca/warnings/index_e.html?prov=bc

Air Quality Health Index - View the current and forecast Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) readings for your area, hourly air quality readings and related health messages: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/air-land-water/air/air-quality/aqhi

COVID-19 - BC CDC information on risks and how to reduce them:

Communication Resources for Tenants

Tips to Beat the Heat During Covid-19 Template Poster - (12 x 18 ) - tips to beat the heat with Covid-19 considerations
Tips to Beat the Heat During Covid-19 Template Poster - (8.5 x 11 )
BC CDC Warning Signs and Symptoms of Heat-Related Illness (English & Spanish)
HealthLinkBC Heat-related Illness (available in several languages)
BC CDC Wildfire Smoke & COVID-19
Crossroads Animal Hospital - Hot Weather & Pet Safety
Protect pets from hot pavement (SPCA)
Using Chill Rooms During Covid-19 Template Poster - (12 x 18) - chill room poster with instructions for tenants during Covid-19
Using Chill Rooms During Covid-19 Template Poster - (8.5x11)

Resources for Building Operators & Staff

Planning & Preparing

Space Cooling

BC CDC Guidance for Cooling Centres in the Context of Covid-19
Space Cooling Strategies - high-level cooling strategies for cooling individual suites, common areas and entire building
Cooling System Assessment Guide - specifications guide for a permanent cooling system (heat pumps, PTACs, central air conditioning) for HVAC or engineering consultant
Cooling System Specifications Form - form to be provided after assessment process to be included in the request for a HVAC or engineering consultant
Air Conditioner Sizing Worksheet - for operators to size portable air conditioners for single rooms up to 2,500ft² and short-term use only
Air Purifier Sizing Worksheet - for operators to size portable air purifiers for common rooms and short-term use only
Fan Use Instructions During Covid-19 - Fan use instructions for tenants during Covid-19
Outdoor Cooling Space Guide During Covid-19 - How to Create an Outdoor Cooling Space during COVID-19 Guide.
Five Tips for Outdoor Cooling Spaces During Covid-19 - Top 5 Tips for Creating an Outdoor Cooling Space during COVID-19 Cheat sheet

Heat and Pets

Educational Materials

Extreme Heat Can Be a Killer (2:45 mins) - by National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health and BC Centre for Disease Control
Government of Canada & Health Canada Sun Safety
Heat Protection Advice by National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health

Extreme Heat Webinars

Retrofits for Overheating Buildings and Poor Indoor Air Quality

July 7, 2020 | 88 minutes

Topic: Summer temperatures and extreme heat events are on the rise, creating major challenges for keeping our buildings cool and safe enough for the wellbeing of tenants.

Speakers:
Alex Chou, P.Eng., LEED AP, Associate, AME Consulting Group
Dr. Marianne Touchie, Assistant Professor, University of Toronto
Owen Philip, Capital Planning Senior Manager, BC Housing
Jackie Kanyuk, Moderator, BCNPHA

document icon Slide Desk - Retrofits for Overheating Buildings and Poor Indoor Air Quality (5.99 MB)

Addressing COVID-19 & Overheating in Non-Profit Housing

May 13, 2020 | 77 minutes

Topic: Hotter days are on their way, and with COVID-19 protocols still in place, building operations staff need to be ready for extreme hot weather and potential wildfires contributing to poor air quality.

Speakers:
Angela Eykelbosh - Environmental Health Scientist, BC Centre for Disease Control
Ulryke Weissgerber - Division Manager, Metro Vancouver Housing
Chris Higgins - Green Building Planner, City of Vancouver
Tamsin Mills - Senior Sustainability Specialist, City of Vancouver

document icon Slide Desk - Addressing COVID-19 & Overheating in Non-Profit Housing (5 MB)

Building Overheating and Air Quality: Considerations in New Construction

April 28, 2020 | 95 minutes

Topic: Join experts who will share extreme heat and poor air quality management strategies to consider for new construction projects.

Speakers:
Lisa Westerhoff - Principal, Integral Group
Chris Doel - Managing Principal, Integral Group
Sadia Afrin - Senior Manager, Construction Services, BC Housing

document icon Slide Desk - Building Overheating and Air Quality: Considerations in New Construction (7 MB)

Preparing for Extreme Heat & Poor Air Quality

May 14, 2019 | 81 minutes

Topic: Extreme hot weather and poor air quality events related to forest wildfires and rising air temperatures are occurring more and more often across the province.

Speakers:
Dr. Sarah Henderson - Senior Scientist, Environmental Health Services, BC Center for Disease Control
Dr. Michael Schwandt - Public Health Physician, BC Center for Disease Control
Tamsin Mills - Senior Sustainability Specialist, City of Vancouver
Magdalena Szpala - Senior Sustainability Advisor, BC Housing

document icon Slide Desk - Preparing for Extreme Heat & Poor Air Quality (7 MB)