(A) Definition. “PRE-CODE” MANUFACTURED (MOBILE) HOMES are defined as homes built prior to HUD C.F.R. 3280 Standards, effective June 15, 1976, or built prior to state inspection and certification requirements in accordance with ANSI Standards A119.1, July 1, 1972.
(B) Minimum requirements for pre-code homes.
(1) Egress windows and exits.
(a) Each home shall have at least one egress window in each bedroom that meets the minimum specifications of HUD 3280.106 and .404 for manufactured homes. These standards require that the window be at least 22 inches in the horizontal or vertical least dimension and at least five square feet in area, the bottom of the window opening shall be not more than 36 inches above the floor, and that locks and latches which need to be operated to permit exiting not be located more than 54 inches above the finished floor. If the requirements of the State Building Code and/or ANSI A199.1 1982 are met, the home shall be deemed to be in compliance with this section.
(b) The home shall have two exterior exit doors located remote from each other as required in HUD 3280.105. These standards require single section manufactured homes to have the doors not less than 12 feet center to center from each other and multi-section manufactured home doors to be not less than 20 feet center to center from each other measured in a straight line direction regardless of the length of path of travel between doors. One of the required exit doors must be accessible from the doorway of each bedroom without traveling more than 35 feet. Exterior swing doors shall have a minimum 28-inch by 74-inch clear opening and sliding glass doors shall have a 28-inch by 72-inch clear opening. Each exterior door other than screen/storm doors shall have a key-operated lock that has a deadlocking latch or a key-operated dead bolt with a passage latch, and locks shall not require the use of a key or special tool for operation from the inside of the home.
(2) Flame spread.
(a) Walls and ceilings adjacent to or enclosing a furnace or water heater shall have an interior finish with flame spread rating not exceeding 25. Sealants and other trim materials two inches or less used to finish adjacent surfaces within these spaces are exempt from this provision provided all joints are supported by framing members or materials with a 25 or less flame spread rating. Combustible doors providing interior or exterior access to furnace and water heater spaces shall be covered with materials of limited combustion (i.e., 5/16 inch gypsum board and the like) with the surface allowed to be interrupted for louvers ventilating the space; however, the louvers shall not be of materials of greater combustibility than the door itself (i.e., plastic louvers and a wood door). Reference HUD 3280.203.
(b) Exposed interior finished surfaces, including vertical surfaces between range top and overhead cabinets and/or ceiling, shall have a flame spread rating not exceeding 50 as required by HUD 3280.203. Back splashes not exceeding six inches in height are exempted. Vertical clearance above cook tops and ranges shall not be less than 24 inches as required by HUD 3280.709.
(3) Smoke detectors.
(a) A smoke detector shall be installed on any wall in the hallway or space communicating with each bedroom area between the living area and the first bedroom as required by HUD 3280.208. Homes with bedroom areas separated by any one or a combination of common-use areas such as a kitchen, dining room, living room or family room (but not a bathroom or utility room) shall be required to have one detector for each bedroom area.
(b) Smoke detectors shall not have switches in the circuit to the detector between the over-current protection device protecting the branch circuit and the detector. The detector shall be attached to an electrical outlet box and connected by a permanent wiring method into a general electrical circuit. The detector shall not be placed on a branch circuit or any circuit protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter.
(4) Solid fuel burning stoves and fireplaces.
(a) Solid, fuel-burning factory-built fireplaces and fireplace stoves may be used in manufactured (mobile) homes provided that they are listed for use in manufactured homes and installed as per their listing/ manufacturers’ instructions and the minimum requirements of HUD 3280.710.
(b) A solid fuel burning fireplace or fireplace stove shall be equipped with integral doors designed to close the fire chamber opening and shall include complete means for venting through the roof, a combustion air inlet, or hearth extension, and means to securely attach the unit to the manufactured home structure.
1. A listed factory-built chimney designed to be attached directly to the fireplace/fireplace stove and equipped with, in accordance with the listing, a termination device and spark arrester shall be required. The chimney shall extend at least three feet above the part of the roof through which it passes and at least two feet above the highest elevation of any part of the manufactured home within ten feet of the chimney.
2. An air intake assembly shall be installed in accordance with the terms of listings/manufacturers’ instructions. A combustion air inlet shall conduct the air directly into the fire chamber and shall be designed to prevent material from the hearth dropping onto the area beneath the manufactured home.
3. The hearth extension shall be of noncombustible material a minimum of three-eighths inch thick, shall extend a minimum of 16 inches in front and eight inches beyond each side of the fireplace-stove opening. The hearth shall also extend over the entire surface beneath a fireplace stove and beneath an elevated or overhanging fireplace.
(5) Support systems. Pre-Code homes built prior to June 15, 1976, are required to be installed (set-up) in accordance with the standards of the State Building Code, Chapter 1350.
(6) Aluminum wiring. All electrical systems shall be tested for continuity to assure that metallic parts are properly bonded, tested for operation to demonstrate that all equipment is connected and in working order, and undergo a polarity check to determine that connections are proper. The electrical system shall be properly protected for the required amperage load. If the unit is of aluminum conductors, all receptacles and switches rated 20 amperes or less directly connected to the aluminum conductor shall be marked CO/ALR. Exterior receptacles other than heat tape receptacles shall be of the ground fault circuit interrupter (GFI) type. Conductors of dissimilar metals (copper/aluminum or copper-clad aluminum) must be connected in accordance with the National Electrical Code.
(7) Replacement furnaces and water heaters.
(a) If the manufactured (mobile) home has had or is to receive a replacement furnace or water heater, it shall be listed for use in a manufactured (mobile) home. Vents, roof jacks and chimneys necessary for the installation shall be listed for use with the furnace or water heater.
(b) The furnace and water heater shall be secured in place to avoid displacement. Every furnace and water heater shall be accessible for servicing and/or replacement.
(c) Furnaces and water heaters shall be installed to provide complete separation of the combustion system from the interior atmosphere of the manufactured home as required by HUD 3280.709.
(d) The floor area in the water heater area shall be free from damage from moisture and the like, to assure that the floor will support the weight of the water heater and water contained within.
(8) Gas line testing. The gas piping for each pre-code home shall be tested with the appliance valves removed from the piping and capped at those areas. The piping shall withstand a pressure of at least six inches mercury or 3-psi gauge for a period of not less than ten minutes without showing any drop in pressure. Pressure shall be measured with a mercury manometer or a slope gauge calibrated so as to read in increments of not greater than 1/10 pound or equivalent device. The source of normal operating pressure shall be isolated before the pressure test is made. After the appliance connections are reinstalled, the piping system and connections shall be tested with line pressure of not less than ten inches nor more than 14 inches water column air pressure. The appliance connections shall be tested for leakage with soapy water or bubble solution.
(2003 Code, § 11.22) (Ord. 52, passed 9-29-1995)