Apartment and Condo Heat Protection
Three steps to cost-effective cooling.
Step 1: Plan to keep cool (Do-it-yourself, $0)
- Help vulnerable neighbours, family, and friends prepare and arrange check-ins during heat events.
- Sign up for heat alerts on your phone (e.g., WeatherCan).
- Use windows and doors to ventilate your unit, especially at night.
- Choose energy-efficient lights and appliances that produce less heat.
- Arrange to spend time in a cooler place (e.g., a shared cooling space).
Step 2: Complete simple upgrades (under $250)
- Add plants to balconies or decks (potted, hanging, or climbing).
- Place tall, leafy plants near sun-facing windows.
- Improve insulation and seal air leaks (e.g., draft strips).
- Install blinds, heat-resistant curtains, or window films.
- Use portable or ceiling fans to increase air circulation.
Step 3: Complete more complex upgrades (over $250)
- Install temperature and humidity controls or monitors.
- Use light-coloured paint on unit walls.
- Add exterior shading (e.g., shutters or awnings).
- Install energy-efficient windows and doors (low solar heat gain).
- Install and maintain a heat pump or air conditioning unit.
FireSmart Home
Three steps to reduce wildfire risk.
Step 1: Maintain your property (Do-it-yourself, $0–$300)
- Clean debris from roofs, gutters, decks, and balconies.
- Remove combustible ground cover within 1.5 m of the home.
- Remove combustible materials within 10 m of the home perimeter.
- Keep grass under 10 cm and use fire-resistant plants.
- Prune trees to create 2 m clearance from the ground.
Step 2: Complete simple upgrades ($300–$3,000)
- Replace worn or missing weather stripping on doors.
- Install non-combustible screens on vents.
- Add a 15 cm non-combustible base at the bottom of walls.
- Install non-combustible fencing within 1.5 m of the home.
- Use non-combustible ground materials near the home.
Step 3: Complete more complex upgrades ($3,000–$30,000)
- Install fire-resistant roofing.
- Use non-combustible siding materials.
- Install multi-pane or tempered windows and fire-rated doors.
- Retrofit decks with fire-resistant materials.
- Remove conifer trees within 10 m of the home.
Flood Resilience for Commercial Buildings
Plans and Procedures
- Emergency plans
- Practice drills
- Emergency funds
- Tenant communication channels
- Emergency operations centres
- Emergency supply contracts
- Emergency contact information
- Insurance documentation
Equipment and Supplies
- Critical equipment and supplies
- Portable flood barriers and sandbags
- Backup power generation
- Emergency lighting
- Elevator water sensors
- Backwater valves
- Hazardous materials storage
Major Retrofits
- Elevate and flood-proof critical equipment
- Protect server rooms
- Protect telecom rooms
- Isolate electrical circuits
- Upgrade electrical panels
Wildfire-Ready Community
Structures and Infrastructure
- Maintain buildings and landscaping within 10 m.
- Use fire-resistant landscaping materials.
- Build with fire-resistant materials.
- Maintain safe distances between vegetation and utilities.
Community Design
- Include firebreaks at least 30 m wide.
- Increase spacing between buildings.
- Maintain setbacks from slopes.
- Limit development in high-risk areas.
Emergency Response
- Conduct emergency planning and training.
- Provide emergency shelters.
- Ensure sufficient water supply.
- Provide multiple evacuation routes.
Working with Nature at Home
Simple upgrades (under $250)
- Maintain shade trees.
- Grow climbing plants on walls.
- Add plants to balconies or decks.
- Join community greening programs.
More complex upgrades (over $250)
- Plant new shade trees.
- Replace paved areas with vegetation.
- Install a rain garden.
- Install a green roof.
Wildfire protection (if applicable)
- Remove combustible materials within 1.5 m.
- Remove conifer trees within 10 m.
- Keep grass short and use fire-resistant plants.
- Prune trees for clearance.
