Replies

1. 
   RalphWicklund | Oct 26, 2003 10:35pm | #1

   Writing code books is a lucrative business and there are more publishing entities than you can shake a stick at. Codes (minimums at that) have been developed to forestall unsafe building practices but along the way you run into jurisdictions and opinions where those involved are protecting their turf as well as promulgating a good thing.

   You can add SBCCI, Miami-Dade County, the City of Los Angeles and a bunch of others to the mix and although basicly the same, the locations and situations determine the content.

   Florida, for instance, through the Florida Building Commission, has published the Florida Building Code with input from others, including SBCCI, BOCA, ICC, IBC, NFPA and others.

   California has just adopted codes underwritten by, if I recall, NFPA, endorsed by all sorts of fire officials.

   And HUD, being another government entity, also justifies its existence with a publication of its own, parroting much of what is already out there, making changes suitable to its situations.

1. 
   Ledebuhr1 | Oct 27, 2003 04:21am | #3

   Thanks, I was just wondering what are the main differences between HUD and BOCA codes??  Why are somethings allowed under HUD and not BOCA??

1. 
   BillHartmann | Oct 27, 2003 05:36am | #4

   http://www.mhiaz.org/hudcode.htm

   f you’ve done any research into Manufactured Housing, you have surely come across the phrase “HUD code.” You may even know that it is a national standard for building Manufactured Homes, but it means much more than that.

   In the mid-70's. Congress recognized the growing popularity of manufactured housing, and recognized the need to establish a single national standard to guarantee quality and durability in new manufactured homes. Many homes are constructed in one state, and then transported to another, giving the Federal Government the authority to create these standards.

   The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) was directed to establish these standards, and on June 15, 1976, this code, called the “Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards,” officially became America’s only national building code. Every Manufactured Home built after that date has been required to meet strict standards addressing everything from design, construction, strength, durability, fire resistance and energy efficiency. Recently, the HUD code was revised to improve wind resistance.

   Congress realized the advantages of assembly-line production, and allowed manufacturers to utilize new innovative techniques and materials to enhance cost efficiency without sacrificing quality or durability. It’s interesting to note that most of the new materials used in home construction today were first introduced by Manufactured Housing builders, then passed on to the site-built industry.

   There is little technical difference between the HUD code and the Uniform Building Code used by site builders. Uniform Building Codes are prescriptive, or in other words, they lay out procedures used to build a structure step by step. The HUD code is considered a performance code for use in a factory setting and outlines the standards that must be met by a structure. The HUD code, however, allows builders to achieve those standards utilizing new and innovative engineering ideas that can greatly reduce time and cost.

   The main difference between the codes is that the HUD code is a national code and applies to every manufacturer in the country. Site-built codes are regulated by state and local authorities and vary from state to state. Both the HUD code and the site-built codes must meet the same list of performance standards when the structures are complete.

   In 1994 HUD added rigorous new energy standards to be applied to all manufactured homes nationwide. The result is that manufactured homes are now more energy efficient than many site-built homes, while remaining cost-effective and sturdy.

1. 
   Ledebuhr1 | Oct 27, 2003 02:27pm | #5

   Thanks,  I was wondering why these manufactured homes dont seem to appreciate like "real" homes??  I was told it had to do with one being HUD code and the others UBC.

1. 
   fredsmart48 | Oct 27, 2003 04:11pm | #6

   Look at a factory built ads now days and they claim you get more bang for the dollar more house for the same money.  Most people translated that to the new manufactured homes are of low quality because of the price.  

   In the past a lot of the factory built homes did have problems and use a lot of  sub standard wood,  electrical, plumbing, and heating systems and not much insulation.  The HUD codes took care of some of that.  Just like there are some good track homes builders  and some bad track homes builders. 

2. 
   CapnMac | Oct 27, 2003 10:25pm | #8

   why these manufactured homes dont seem to appreciate like "real" homes

   That probably has as much to do with state banking rules as anything else.  In Texas, you cannot take a out a mortgage for manufactured homes.  You can, however take out a motor vehicle loan.

   If you own the land, having a MH on it counts as "improved," but the structure is not considered permanent.

   Code differences permit things like poly-butyl vinyl plumbing without individual cut off valves at the individual fixtures.  MH rarely meet an R-19 wall and R-28 ceiling insulation requirements.  You don't always see metal plates protecting plumbing or electrical penetrations in studs (using 2x3 studs does not leave much room, either).

   Where the differences can get tricky is in Modular housing.  There, you are building a permanent structure, the peices parts of which have to be road portable.  This is situation where you have to spend time with the Buliding Services Department in advance of the project.  if only to simplify the plan review ans inspection process.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

2. 
   MikeK | Oct 27, 2003 02:58am | #2

   The HUD Code is for single wide and double wide manufactured homes (trailers). Much lower standard than BOCA which is a regional building code for stick built homes.

   Mike

1. 
   Ledebuhr1 | Oct 27, 2003 10:06pm | #7

   Mike,  Your getting at just what I wanted.  What are examples of these lower standards?? What is allowed by HUD and Not by BOCA??