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Just Released: A Review of Manufactured Housing Installation Standards and Instructions

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The manufactured housing industry is undergoing an
intense period of transition and re-evaluation. The core
market for lower-cost, "traditional" manufactured homes
has shrunk, yet there remains strong pressure to
economize by retaining the "pier and tiedown" method of
installing homes. What's more, pressure from residents
intolerant of traditional manufactured homes continues to
fuel the development of products and installation
techniques that attempt to make these affordable homes
more closely resemble site-built housing.

In addition to adding to the home's cost, these products
and techniques introduce new and often complicated
installation measures that need to be regulated through
installation standards. Training of assembly workers and
possible retooling in the factories are also issues that
must be addressed. The Manufactured Home Improvement Act
of 2000 (MHIA) requires that draft Model Installation
Standards (MIS) be developed by the Manufactured Housing
Consensus Committee (MHCC).

Fortunately, a new document titled "A Review of
Manufactured Housing Installation Standards and
Instructions" will be used by HUD to prepared a final MIS
to be used by states as a baseline when writing their own
installation standards. The report can also be helpful in
setting a minimum baseline for manufacturers in preparing
the Manufacturer's Installation Instructions (MII)
required for each home model under the HUD Code that
regulates the construction of manufactured housing.

The report is a review of several manufacturer's
installation instructions (MII's) and the "Manufactured
Home Installation Guide" by George Porter, published by
the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) in 2002.
Appendix B covers the National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) Standard 225, which contains the draft
MIS, plus several state installation standards. Sixty-
three criteria were developed, each addressing a key
topic. Most of these criteria address the contents of
installation standards, while some address manufacturer
installation instructions. Each criterion includes a
discussion followed by a possible action, for which
advantages and disadvantages are enumerated. Examples of
these criteria are:

o Structural Support of Add-Ons Added Later
o Flood-Resistant Foundations
o Crawlspace Ventilation
o Structural Connections Between Home Sections
o Extent of Local Jurisdiction Responsibility
o Performance of Site-Installed Siding

As HUD-Code homes become more similar to site-built and
modular homes, the boundaries separating manufacturer,
retailer, installer, and on-site contractors become
increasingly murky, interfering with the consumer's
ability to assign responsibility for error. This document
suggests some ways of assigning responsibility and
mending breaches between the various participants.
Particular attention is paid to cases where
responsibility is refused by one party in a way that
leaves the consumer unable to proceed.

"A Review of Manufactured Housing Installation Standards
and Instructions" is available on the web at
https://www.huduser.gov/portal/publications/Destech/MHsgDRM.html
or in printed form for a nominal charge by calling HUD
USER at 1-800-245-2691.

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HUD USER
P.O. Box 23268
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1-800-245-2691
1-800-927-7589 (TDD)
202-708-9981 (fax)
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