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Public officials, housing researchers, builders, dealers, and consumers of manufactured housing will want to read about the changes HUD has made to strengthen critical parts of the HUD Code that govern the production of manufactured homes nationwide. Revised standards for condensation control, energy conservation, and ventilation construction are expected to increase consumer savings over the life of a home. Updated standards for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems reflect current construction methods, building materials, and quality control techniques. The 1994 changes to the HUD Code for wind and energy standards are available in a separate publication, Part 3280, Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards. A second booklet includes Part 3282, Manufactured Home Procedural and Enforcement Regulations and Part 3283, Manufactured Home Consumer Manual Requirements.
Concern about the performance of manufactured housing in Hurricanes Andrew and Hugo spurred HUD to research and, consequently, increase structural, foundation, and anchoring standards for homes located in high-wind areas. Data collected about Hurricane Andrew's effect on manufactured housing in Louisiana and Florida prompted HUD wind safety studies on nail connections, wind load, anchoring systems, and joints. The Permanent Foundations Guide for Manufactured Housing, published by HUD in 1996, updates a 1989 handbook on loading requirements for snow, wind, and seismic forces. For the first time, these requirements take into account the long marriage walls in multisection units.
The Ninth Report to Congress also describes findings of HUD's team of engineers and building officials that assessed effects of the 1994 Northridge earthquake on manufactured homes. The team concluded that Earthquake Resistant Bracing Systems supported houses more effectively than concrete and steel piers, but permanent foundations provided the best protection against earthquake damage. In response to this research, HUD published The Effect of Earthquakes on Manufactured Home Installations, which offers technical recommendations that can prevent structural damage from earthquakes by improving installation techniques and the safety of gas and utility connections. An accompanying brochure, Minimizing Damage and Repair Costs to Manufactured Homes During an Earthquake, makes practical recommendations to owners of manufactured homes and community managers on how to minimize damage to their homes.
Despite a general downward trend in fire-related injuries and deaths, the Ninth Report to Congress documents a troubling increase in fire-related deaths in manufactured homes built after 1976 code changes mandated that units be provided with smoke detectors. A striking number of homes where fires occurred had no smoke detectors, suggesting that consumers removed or neglected to install the smoke detectors.
Current and significant information on HUD Code changes, research efforts, and statistical trends make this report a must-read for anyone concerned with improving the quality and safety of manufactured housing. Copies of HUD's Ninth Report to Congress on the Manufactured Housing Program and the other publications described are now available from HUD USER for $5 each.
In addition, free copies of the article, "Manufactured Homes Transform Vacant Lots in Oakland," from the January/February 1997 issue of FieldWorks, are available by calling HUD USER at 1-800-245-2691.
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