Several deficiencies in the current regulations and statutes relating to manufactured home support devices are identified in this study. Following is a discussion of each of those deficiencies.
LACK OF PHYSICAL ATTACHMENT AND BRACING OF MANUFACTURED HOME SUPPORTS:
Current regulations do not require the support devices to be attached to the manufactured homes or laterally braced if the device is less than 36" in height. Since the great majority of manufactured homes are installed on support devices of less than 36" in height, their support systems are not laterally braced. Consequently, during seismic events of sufficient magnitude, approximately 5 or more on the Richter Scale, manufactured homes may become separated from their supports. When this happens the manufactured home can, and often does, slip off of its support system and falls to the ground.
When a manufactured home falls off of the support system to the ground, damage occurs. The floor structure is usually damaged by the piers that pierce the floor. When a manufactured home falls from its supports to the ground it also results in major damage to the accessory structures, Le, awnings, decks, cabanas and skirting. Many of these accessories have to be replaced rather than repaired due to the extent of damage suffered adding thousands of dollars to the overall cost of repairs.
LACK OF LATERAL FORCE DESIGN REQUIREMENTS:
Present regulations require that manufactured home support devices be designed to resist vertical forces only. Design requirements for resisting lateral forces are no currently mandated. As a result, these devices are subject to losing contact with the manufactured home more frequently during seismic events causing damage to the homes and the accessory structures.
LACK OF TIEDOWNS:
Current regulations require tiedowns to be installed on singlewide manufactured homes only when the home is installed in an area with wind loads greater than 15 pounds per square foot. Tiedowns are never required for multiwide homes Testimony and other information provided during this study strongly indicates that tiedowns have the ability to keep a manufactured home on its support system and reduce the damage to accessory structures and utility connections.
