Manufactured Homes are commonly referred to as mobile homes. They are often constructed as a single, double, or triple wide. Manufactured Homes are not constructed to the requirements of the Building Code, instead they are constructed in accordance with Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations.
HUD Requirements
The HUD Code is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, using independent third party inspection agencies for enforcement. Every HUD Code manufactured home is built in the factory. It has a label affixed to the exterior of the home which indicated that the home has been designed, constructed, tested, and inspected to comply with federal standards.
Systems Included During Construction
These systems may require additional work during the set-up process, but systems included during the construction of the Manufactured Home include:
- Air Conditioning
- Electrical
- Framing
- Heating
- Plumbing
- Ventilation
Manufacturer's Installation
All work made on site not covered by the Manufacturer’s Installation Manual must comply with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. Manufactured Homes are designed to be set up as specified in the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Any deviations from the requirements established in the Installation Manual require accompanying engineering from a Virginia licensed Registered Design Professional (RDP). Foundations/supports for Manufactured Homes normally consist of interior piers that receive the weight of the home above via steel I-beams that run the length of the home. The presence of the metal frame does not always constitute a Manufactured Home; On-Frame Modulars (which are constructed to the requirements of the State’s Building Code) can also be designed to be supported on a metal chassis.
Additions
Any decks, additions, or other attachments to any home on a metal chassis must be self supporting.