The purpose of this report to the Legislature is to document a study undertaken by the Department of Housing and Community Development as required by Health and Safety Code (HSC), Section 18613.6, added by Chapter 615 of the 1990 Statutes, (SB 2518, Craven). This study includes an analysis of the various support systems and devices currently used to install manufactured homes without foundation systems and the effectiveness of those devices and systems during seismic disturbances. In addition, this study includes information on:
- The type and extent of damage to homes, including damage by fire, and the types of damage which render manufactured homes and mobilehomes irreparable.
- The extent to which damage to utility connections to the home, such as natural gas lines, cause fire or damage to manufactured homes and mobilehomes.
- The ability of various types of foundation and support systems to withstand major earthquake forces, including the effectiveness of axis and wheels, which are left on a manufactured home or mobilehome at the time of installation.
- The extent and cost of repairs to, or replacement of, manufactured homes and mobilehomes damaged because support systems failed or were damaged in an earthquake.
- Other information deemed pertinent to the safety of manufactured homes and mobilehomes in the event of an earthquake.
This study and report do not include manufactured homes installed on foundation systems. HSC Section 18551 and related regulations in the California Code of Regulations. Title 25, Division 1, Chapter 2, (CCR), prescribe requirements for the installation of manufactured homes on foundation systems. Manufactured homes installed on foundation systems are attached to those foundation systems as necessary to meet the requirements of the Uniform Building Code (UBC). The UBC requirements for foundation systems are identical to requirements for conventional site-built housing. These are State Housing Law requirements and are Building Standards contained in California Code of Regulations, Title 24. Installations of manufactured homes on foundation systems have not been identified as being any more or less susceptible to wind or earthquake damage than conventional site-built housing and are therefore not the subject of this study.
