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Frequently Asked Questions
- Are fire sprinklers required in new manufactured homes?
- Does successful completion of an approved training course make me a certified installer?
- If I only complete only part of the installation, such as block and level, should I submit a Certificate of Compliance form for just the work I performed?
- Will my Pennsylvania Installer Certification be recognized in other states?
- Will Pennsylvania accept my installer license or certification from another state?
- Are there different rules or requirements for installing a new manufactured home in a community or other rented lots?
- What are the requirements for the installation of used manufactured homes?
- Can a home be installed in a manner not specifically addressed by the manufacturer?
- What about floating slabs?
- Can an addition or deck be attached to a home?
Are fire sprinklers require in new manufactured homes?
No. New manufactured homes which are placed on piers or otherwise permanently placed on a lot per the manufacturer’s design will not have to meet the sprinkler requirements of the 2009 IRC. However, if the home is placed on a basement, the sprinkler requirements would apply to that area, and only to that area. If only a crawl space is created, and if no fuel-fired appliance is found in the space, this area would not need to have sprinklers. You can click here to link to the L&I website to view the advisory in full.
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Does successful completion of an approved training course make me a certified installer?
NO. Successful completion of an approved training course only qualifies a person to apply for certification as an installer. Trained installers must complete the Manufactured Home Installer Application, with the required fee for yearly certification.
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If I only complete only part of the installation, such as block and level, should I submit a Certificate of Compliance form for just the work I performed?
NO. A Certificate of Compliance form attests to: support, stabilization and assembly of the manufactured home. Attempts to limit the certification will not be recognized. Whoever signs the form is certifying all three elements of installation, regardless of notations on the form.
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Will my Pennsylvania Installer Certification be recognized in other states?
Maybe. The only way to be sure is to contact the individual states, or HUD. You can call HUD toll free at: 1-800-927-2891
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Will Pennsylvania accept my installer license or certification from another state?
NO. The variation of state programs makes this impractical.
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Are there different rules or requirements for installing a new manufactured home in a community or other rented lots?
NO. New manufactured homes are required to be installed consistent with the manufacturers approved installation instructions, without exception.
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What are the requirements for the installation of used manufactured homes?
Used manufactured home installation is not specifically addressed in state law. Installing a used home consistent with the manufacturers approved installation instructions, is generally acceptable to the local code official. If those instructions are not available, a generic suggestive installation standard is available upon request at housingstandards@state.pa.us
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Can a home be installed in a manner not specifically addressed by the manufacturer?
NO. The manufacturer must provide instructions for the installation. Designs prepared by professional engineers or registered architects may not be utilized in place of the manufacturers instructions.
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What about floating slabs?
All foundations must be protected from frost heave, therefore a floating slab foundation is unacceptable.
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Can an addition or deck be attached to a home?
Not without approval from the home manufacturer. Typically, all additions, decks, etc. must be free standing from the home, and constructed in accordance with local building codes.
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