10 TAC §§80.53-80.55
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs ("TDHCA")
adopts amendments to the Manufactured Housing Rules, 10 Texas Administrative
Code, §§80.53-80.55 relating to the installation of manufactured
homes. Section 80.53 relating to manufacturer's design requirements is adopted
without changes and will not be republished. Section 80.54 and §80.55,
relating to installation standards and anchoring systems for manufactured
homes are adopted with changes to the proposed text as published in the May
7, 1999, issue of the
Texas Register
(24 TexReg
3432).
Only a structural change was made to §80.54(b)(5) (Paragraph (5) was
broken down into subparagraph (A) and (B)). Two words
"after moistening"
were added to paragraph (4) in §80.55(d). The
changed sections are being republished.
A public hearing was held on Tuesday, June 8, 1999. There were no comments
presented by groups or associations.
All comments, both oral and written are discussed together infra. Following
a summary of the comments is a statement of the reasons why the department
agrees or disagrees with the party submissions or proposals.
COMMENTS ON SPECIFIC SECTIONS OF THE RULES:
The following comments were received regarding the proposed rules and are
as follows:
COMMENT REGARDING §80.53(e): One commenter wants to change the sentence
concerning printed instructions provided with each home and require two copies
of the printed instructions to be provided with each home.
TDHCA does not agree. Even though this is a good suggestion, this sentence
in the present rules was not proposed for amendment and is similar to 24 CFR
3280.306(b)(1) of the Federal Manufactured Home Constructions and Safety Standards.
Home manufacturers might object to this suggested new requirement and cite
Section 604(d) of the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety
Standards Act, which prohibits states from adopting different standards.
COMMENT REGARDING §§80.53(e) & 80.55(d)(4): One commenter
asked that the Department provide references to soil class and torque values
concerning rock anchors in mixed soil and rock or in hard caliche soil. The
proposed rule has the following clause, "When approved auger anchors cannot
be inserted into a difficult soil, such as mixed soil and rock or caliche
(heavily weathered limestone) that is not solid rock, . . ." the commenter
believes that installers might misinterpret the proposed rule and incorrectly
use cross drive rock anchors in dry clay soil types that are affected by moistening.
The commenter recommends that the proposed rule describe the minimum soil
test probe torque value for a difficult soil. Also the commenter recommends
that the proposed rule express that the alternative use of cross drive rock
anchors is not for soils that can be penetrated by auger anchors after moistening.
TDHCA does not completely agree. The department's Manufactured Housing
Anchor Installation Task Force reviewed a report about cross drive rock anchors
tested in Kerrville. The substantiating anchor pull out tests conducted in
Kerrville concerned the alternative use of cross drive rock anchors in soil
and rock mixtures that cannot be penetrated by auger anchors after moistening.
The Department does not agree that the minimum soil test probe torque value
for a difficult soil should be described in the proposed rule. For difficult
soils, rock fragments often resist the soil test probe penetration. A high
soil test probe torque measurement may also indicate a dry clay that is affected
by moistening. The Department does agree that the proposed rule must express
that difficult soils are soils that are not affected by moistening. Therefore,
the Department proposes to add the words
"after moistening"
as follows in proposed §80.55(d)(4), "When approved auger anchors
cannot be inserted into a difficult soil
after moistening,
such as mixed soil and rock or caliche (heavily weathered limestone)
that is not solid rock, . . ."
COMMENT REGARDING §80.54(a)(2): One commenter does not agree with
giving the manufacturer the option of modifying the state's generic standards
with an appendix. The commenter believes that a copy of the home manufacturer's
appendix to the generic standards will not be provided to the installer.
TDHCA does not agree. Present rule §80.51(a)(3) requires the home
manufacturer to mail a copy to the retailer. For new homes, the retailer is
responsible for the installation.
COMMENT REGARDING §§80.54(b)(4)(1) & (c): One commenter believes
that in areas where footings are not to be located, all debris, sod, tree
stumps and other organic material shall be completely removed. The present
rule allows this material to be trimmed, cut, or removed down to a maximum
height of 8 inches above the ground. The proposed rule deletes the phrase
"or to a lower level if needed to properly install the vapor retarder material.
TDHCA does not agree with the suggested change. In order to save consumer
site preparation costs, the proposed rule describes the minimum amount of
organic material removal.
COMMENT REGARDING §80.54(b)(2) & (5): One commenter believes the
cost estimates for the vapor retarder are too low.
TDHCA does not agree. During the June 24, 1998 Public Hearing, the Texas
Manufactured Housing Association testified that they were informed that the
cost was about $100 per section. At this time, the Department does not have
any other evidence about costs for materials and labor for the ground vapor
retarder.
COMMENT REGARDING §80.54(b)(2) & (5): One commenter believes the
proposed rule must be clarified concerning installer responsibility for the
skirting ventilation. The commenter said some of the requirements in the generic
standards, relating to the installation of a vapor retarder, appear to pertain
to the skirting installer - not the manufactured housing installer.
TDHCA does not agree that the rule must be clarified. If the retailer or
installer provides the materials for skirting or contracts for the installation
of skirting, the retailer or installer is responsible for installing any required
moisture and ground vapor control measures in accordance with the home installation
instruction or the generic standards and for providing for the proper cross
ventilation of the crawl space. For new manufactured homes, the retailer is
the contracting installer. Rule 24 CFR 3282.252(b) of the Federal Manufactured
Homes Procedural and Enforcement Regulations states, "A sales transaction
with a purchaser is considered completed when all the goods and services that
the dealer agreed to provide at the time the contract was entered into have
been provided." The Texas Manufactured Housing Standards Act, Section 6(c)
states, "It is unlawful for any manufacturer, retailer, broker, installer,
or lienholder to make any alteration, repair, or replacement of any component
or systems in and to a used manufactured home which will result in making
the home not habitable."
COMMENT REGARDING §80.54(b)(4): One commenter believes that the phrase
"strongly recommended that the installer not install the home unless exterior
grade is sloped away from the home" is not defined enough.
TDHCA does not agree to change the phrase and make the installer responsible
for the grading of the home site. The Citizen's Advisory Commission on Manufactured
Housing Rules reached a consensus on the present wording. There was no consensus
to require installers to grade the home site.
COMMENT REGARDING §80.54(b)(5): One commenter recommends additional
field testing of vapor retarders before adopting the proposed rule.
TDHCA does not agree. The Department believes that there is no need to
conduct additional field testing about a nationally recognized standard. An
American National Standard,
Manufactured Home Installations,
NCSBCS/ANSI A225.1-1994, Section 3.5.1 states, "If the space under
the home is to be enclosed with skirting or other material, a vapor retarder
that keeps ground moisture out of the home shall be installed."
COMMENT REGARDING §80.55: One commenter said the rock anchor rules
are contradictory to some of the rules currently in effect. The commenter
believes the proposed rule contradicts another rule that does not allow two
anchors to be within 48 inches of each other. Table 4(a) explains how far
apart to set piers and anchors. However; in some cases, doubling the rock
anchors is going to put these anchors closer than the four foot minimum requirement.
The Wind Zone II homes may have 15 vertical ties per side and the proposed
rules state that all ties must be attached. If the second installation is
done in rocky soil conditions and rock anchors are attached, vertical ties
are not supposed to be attached to rock anchors. The commenter said they will
be violating the rules whether they attach the ties or not.
TDHCA does not agree. For twelve foot wide home sections with floor joists
more than 41 inches above the anchor head, Table 4A specifies the spacing
for diagonal ties to be seven feet or less. The alternative use of cross drive
rock anchors is not allowed, since seven feet divided by 2 gives a spacing
of 3.5 feet. Note 9 of Table 4A states that no two anchors shall be within
48 inches of each other. The proposed rule does not contradict Table 4A. In
practical terms, the proposed rule limits the vertical distance between an
anchor head and the floor joists. The Department's Manufactured Housing Anchor
Installation Task Force did not receive any pull out test evidence for the
alternative use of cross drive rock anchors with spacings less than four feet
apart.
COMMENT REGARDING §80.55: One commenter believes that the proposed
rule does not provide a moderate cost anchoring method for installing homes
with built-in vertical ties.
TDHCA agrees that a home designed for Wind Zone II, with many built-in
vertical ties, will cost more to anchor in Wind Zone I in accordance with
the proposed generic standard than a home designed for Wind Zone I. However,
the installer has the option to follow a custom designed anchoring system
which specifies the minimum number of vertical ties for the lower wind pressures.
The Department's Manufactured Housing Anchor Installation Task Force did not
receive any pull out test evidence for the alternative use of cross drive
rock anchors in difficult soils with vertical tie loads. No change was made
as a result of the comment.
This is the end of comments.
The following is a restatement of the rules' factual bases:
TDHCA recommends changes to rules §§80.53 - 80.55, regulating
installation of manufactured housing. The following describes the reasons
for the rules.
§80.53(e) is amended to communicate that installers may install cross
drive rock anchors in accordance with the generic installation standards.
§80.54(a)(2) is amended so that the generic standards may be modified
by an appendix filed in accordance with §80.51(a)(2). If the design of
a home requires a change in the generic standards to protect the structural
integrity of the home, the home manufacturer may file an appendix to the state's
generic standards as part of the home manufacturer's installation instructions.
§80.54(b) is amended to delete the requirement to install a ground
vapor barrier material under every manufactured home installed. Retailers
or installers are only required to install the ground vapor barrier material
if the home is installed per the department's generic standards or if the
manufacturer's installation instructions require the material to be installed.
§80.54(b)(3) is amended to explain the standards for ground clearance
requirement if a home is installed per the generic standards. If a home is
installed in accordance with the home installation instructions, the installer
must follow the ground clearance requirement of the home installation instructions.
§80.54(b)(5) is amended to explain the standards for moisture and
ground vapor controls and the generic requirement for access openings, since
these are measures for monitoring moisture and ground vapor controls. If the
space underneath the home is to be enclosed, the retailer and/or installer
must notify the purchaser that moisture and ground vapor control measures
are required. If a home is installed in accordance with the home installation
instructions, the installer must follow the moisture and ground vapor control
requirements of the home installation instructions. For the purpose of safety
and durability, installers are required to pass the clothes dryer exhaust
duct, air conditioning condensation drain, or combustion air inlet through
the skirting to the outside, if those items are present.
§80.54(c), the Site Preparation Notice is amended to explain that
if skirting is provided, the consumer must be notified that moisture and ground
vapor control measures are required. The phrase "ground vapor retarder" was
updated to "ground vapor control measures." These changes are required since
home installation instructions may require moisture and ground vapor control
measures other than a vapor retarder on the ground.
Figure: 10 TAC §80.55(d)(1) and Figure: 10 TAC §80.55(d)(2) are
amended to add references to refer to §80.55(d)(4) concerning alternative
generic cross drive rock anchor installation instructions.
New §80.55(d)(4) is added because there are presently no cross drive
rock anchors or soil auger anchors individually designed and department approved
for mixed soil and rock conditions or hard caliche soil. The department has
approved particular auger anchor models for installation in soil and particular
rock anchor models for installation in solid rock. For difficult soils, the
department approved an anchor model with three parallel drive rods and a system
including an anchor model with three diverging drive rods. A cross drive rock
anchor is a general type of rock anchor with two rods in a crisscross pattern.
The Kerrville tests substantiated the alternative use of cross drive rock
anchors in soils similar to the soils encountered in Kerrville, if the number
of cross drive rock anchors is doubled.
Custom-designed anchor systems or concrete slabs with embedded anchors,
are economically prohibitive for most consumers and homeowners who live in
areas of difficult soils.
The department found that there was an immediate need for safe, affordable
anchoring of new and used manufactured homes in difficult soils, without which
there is an imminent peril to occupants and neighboring homes if such anchoring
systems are not implemented.
Based upon information provided by license holders and the public, the
wording in the expired emergency rule for doubling the amount of cross drive
rock anchors and diagonal frame ties should be permanently adopted. Even though
two other drive rod anchor models are now approved, installers need an additional
method for anchoring homes with cross drive rock anchors until more devices
and systems are invented and approved for use in many types of difficult soils
with many types of manufactured homes.
The amended sections are adopted under the authority of the Texas
Manufactured Housing Standards Act, Article 5221f, §9, which provides
the department with authority to amend, add, and repeal rules governing the
Manufactured Housing Division of the department.
No other statute, code, or article is affected by the amended rules.
§80.54.Standards for the Installation of Manufactured Homes.
(a)
All manufactured homes shall be installed in accordance
with one of the following:
(1)
the home manufacturer's installation instructions;
(2)
the state's generic standards set forth in this section,
§80.55 of this title (relating to Anchoring Systems), §80.56 of
this title (relating to Multi-Section Connection Standards), and modified
by any appendix filed in accordance with §80.51(a)(2) of this title (relating
to Manufactured Home Installation Requirements);
(3)
a custom designed stabilization system;
(4)
a stabilization system pre-approved by the department;
or
(5)
on a permanent foundation.
(b)
Site Preparation Responsibilities and Requirements:
(1)
The purchaser is responsible for the proper preparation
of the site where the manufactured home (new or used) is to be installed unless
the home is installed in a rental community. Except in rental communities,
the purchaser shall remove all debris, sod, tree stumps and other organic
materials from all areas where footings are to be located. In areas where
footings are not to be located, all debris, sod, tree stumps and other organic
material shall be trimmed, cut, or removed down to a maximum height of 8 inches
above the ground. The retailer must give the purchaser a site preparation
notice as described in this section prior to the execution of any binding
sales agreement. If the installation is a secondary move, not involving a
retail sale, the installer must give the homeowner the site preparation notice
prior to any agreement for the secondary installation of the home.
(2)
If the retailer or installer provides the materials
for skirting or contracts for the installation of skirting, the retailer or
installer is responsible for installing any required moisture and ground vapor
control measures in accordance with the home installation instructions or
the generic standards and for providing for the proper cross ventilation of
the crawl space. If the purchaser or homeowner contracts with a person other
than the retailer or installer for the skirting, the purchaser or homeowner
is responsible for installing the moisture and ground vapor control measures
and for providing for the proper cross ventilation of the crawl space.
(3)
Clearance: If the manufactured home is installed according
to the state's generic standards, a minimum clearance of 18 inches between
the ground and the bottom of the floor joists must be maintained. In addition,
the installer shall be responsible for installing the home with sufficient
clearance between the I-Beams and the ground so that after the crossover duct
prescribed by the manufacturer is properly installed it will not be in contact
with the ground. Refer to §80.56 of this title (relating to Multi-Section
Connection Standards) for additional requirements for utility connections.
It is strongly recommended that the installer not install the home unless
all debris, sod, tree stumps and other organic materials are removed from
all areas where footings are to be located.
(4)
Drainage: Except in rental communities, proper drainage
is the responsibility of the homeowner. It is strongly recommended that the
installer not install the home unless the exterior grade is sloped away from
the home or another approved method to prohibit surface runoff from draining
under the home is provided. Drainage prevents water build-up under the home.
Water build-up may cause shifting or settling of the foundation, dampness
in the home, damage to siding and bottom board, buckling of walls and floors,
delamination of floor decking and problems with the operation of windows and
doors.
(5)
Generic Moisture and Ground Vapor Controls:
(A)
If the manufactured home is installed according to the
state's generic standards and the space under the home is to be enclosed with
skirting and/or other materials provided by the retailer and/or installer,
an access opening not less than 18 inches in any dimension and not less than
three square feet in area shall be provided by the installer. The access opening
shall be located so that any water supply and sewer drain connections located
under the home are accessible for inspections. If a clothes dryer exhaust
duct, air conditioning condensation drain, or combustion air inlet is present,
the installer must pass it through the skirting to the outside. In addition,
crawl space ventilation must be provided at the rate of minimum 1 square foot
of net free area, for every 150 square feet of floor area. At least six openings
shall be provided, one at each end of the home and two on each side of the
home. The openings shall be screened or otherwise covered to prevent entrance
of rodents (note: screening will reduce net free area). For example, a 16'x76'
single section home has 1216 square feet of floor area. This 1216 square feet
divided by 150 equals 8.1 square feet or 1166 square inches of net free area
crawl space ventilation.
(B)
The retailer and/or installer must notify the purchaser
that moisture and ground vapor control measures are required if the space
under the home is to be enclosed. Water vapor build-up may cause dampness
in the home, damage to siding and bottom board, buckling of walls and floors,
delamination of floor decking and problems with the operation of windows and
doors. The generic ground vapor control measure shall consist of a ground
vapor retarder that is minimum 6 mil polyethylene sheeting or its equivalent,
installed so that the area under the home is covered with sheeting and overlapped
approximately 12 inches at all joints. Any tear larger than 18 inches long
or wide must be taped using a material appropriate for the sheeting used.
The laps should be weighted down to prevent movement. Any small tears and/or
voids around construction (footings, anchor heads, etc.) are acceptable.
(c)
Notice: The site preparation notice to be given to the
consumer shall be as follows:
Figure: 10 TAC §80.54(c)
(d)
Footers and Piers:
(1)
Proper sizing of footings depends on the load carrying
capacity of both the piers and the soil. To determine the load bearing capacity
of the soil, the installer may use any of the following methods:
(A)
Pocket penetrometer:
(i)
Test a typical area adjacent to or within 10 feet of the
perimeter of the unit;
(ii)
Dig down to undisturbed soil. This should be a minimum
of 1 square foot surface area; and
(iii)
Using the pocket penetrometer take seven readings, eliminate
the highest and the lowest and average the remaining five.
(B)
Soil surveys from the U.S. Department of Agriculture;
(C)
Values from tables of allowable or presumptive bearing
capacities given in local building codes. Such tables are commonly available
from the local authority having jurisdiction; or
(D)
Any other test data from soil analysis reports.
(2)
The footing must be placed on firm, undisturbed
soil, or fill compacted to at least 90% of its maximum relative density. Installation
on loose, noncompacted fill may invalidate the home's limited warranty.
(3)
Footer configurations:
Figure: 10 TAC §80.54(d)(3)
(4)
Footer sizing and capacities: The following tables
represent maximum loads and spacings based on footer size and soil bearing
capacity. Other approved footers may be used if equal or greater in bearing
area than those footer sizes tabulated.
Figure: 10 TAC §80.54(d)(4)
(5)
Piers and pier spacings: One of the most important
parts of home installation is proper pier installation. Incorrect size, location
or spacing of piers may cause serious structural damage to the home. Spacing
and location of piers shall be in accordance with the tables listed in these
standards (Table 3B, without perimeter piers; Table 3C, with perimeter piers).
(A)
Spacing shall be as even as practicable along each main
I-Beam. Pier spacing may exceed tabulated values up to 30% so long as the
total pier count remains the same. End piers are to be located within 24 inches
of the end of the main frame.
(B)
Piers shall extend at least 6 inches from the centerline
of the I-Beam or be designed to prevent dislodgment due to horizontal movement
of less than 4 inches.
(C)
Load bearing supports or devices shall be listed by an
independent testing laboratory, nationally recognized inspection agency, or
other nationally recognized organization and approved by the department. Engineers
or architects licensed in Texas may design load bearing supports or devices
for a single installation. A copy of the design for this particular home and
site shall be provided to the department before the home is installed, but
department approval is not required.
(D)
Sidewall openings greater than 4 feet shall have perimeter
piers located under each side of the opening, i.e. patio doors, recessed porches/entries,
bay windows and porch posts. Perimeter piers for openings are not required
for endwalls.
(6)
Pier design: Piers shall be constructed per the
following details:
Figure: 10 TAC §80.54(d)(6)
(A)
Shimming (if needed): Hardwood shims are commonly used
as a means for leveling the home and filling any voids left between the bottom
flange of the I-Beam and the top of the pier cap. Wedge shaped shims must
be installed from both sides of the I-Beam to provide a level bearing surface.
The allowable height must not exceed 1 inch. Shims shall be at least 4 inches
wide (nominal) and 6 inches long. Over shimming should be avoided.
(B)
Table 3B - Pier loads (pounds) at tabulated spacings WITHOUT
perimeter supports:
Figure: 10 TAC §80.54(d)(6)(B)
(C)
Table 3C - Pier loads (pounds) at tabulated spacings WITH
perimeter supports:
Figure: 10 TAC §80.54(d)(6)(C)
(7)
Typical multi-section pier layout:
Figure: 10 TAC §80.54(d)(7)
(8)
Typical single section pier layout:
Figure: 10 TAC §80.54(d)(8)
(9)
Multi-section units mating line column supports:
(A)
On multi-section units, openings larger than 4 feet must
have piers installed at each end of the opening. To determine the pier loads,
refer to Table 3D in subparagraph (D) of this paragraph.
Figure: 10 TAC §80.54(d)(9)(A)
(B)
Column loads for each section may be combined when the
columns are opposite each other. The footer must be sized for the combined
loading.
(C)
Additional piers are required under marriage walls (see
wall between column #3 and #4 in the Marriage Line Elevation drawing in subparagraph
(A) of this paragraph). The maximum spacing is the same as the spacing at
the main I-Beams, without perimeter piers, and one half the spacing of the
perimeter piers, with perimeter piers installed.
(D)
Table 3D: Mating line column loads (pounds).
Figure: 10 TAC §80.54(d)(9)(D)
§80.55.Anchoring Systems.
(a)
General Requirements: For units built on or after September
1, 1997, the installer must verify that the unit is designed for the Wind
Zone in which it is to be installed. Note: A Wind Zone I unit, built on or
after September 1, 1997, may not be installed in a Wind Zone II area. However,
a Wind Zone II unit may be installed in a Wind Zone I area.
Figure: 10 TAC §80.55(a)
(b)
Material Specifications:
(1)
Strapping shall be Type 1, Finish B, Grade 1 steel strapping,
11/4 inches wide and 0.035 inches in thickness, certified by a licensed
professional engineer or architect as conforming with the American Society
for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard Specification D3953 91, Standard
Specification for Strapping, Flat Steel, and Seals. Tie materials shall be
capable of resisting an allowable working load of 3,150 pounds with no more
than 2% elongating and shall withstand a 50% overload (4,725 pounds total).
Ties shall have a resistance to weather deterioration at least equivalent
to that provided by coating of zinc on steel of not less than 0.30 ounces
per square foot on each side of the surface coated (0.0005 inches thick),
as determined by ASTM Standards Methods of Test for Weight of Coating on Zinc-coated
(galvanized) Iron or Steel Articles (ASTM A 90-81). Slit or cut edges of zinc-coated
steel strapping are not required to be zinc coated.
(2)
All anchoring components must be approved by the department.
Installers shall only use approved anchoring components. An installer may
obtain a list of approved anchoring components from the department, anchor
manufacturer and/or supplier of anchoring components.
(c)
Anchors shall be installed per the following details:
(1)
in direction of load,
Figure: 10 TAC §80.55(c)(1)
(2)
installed against direction of load (vertical and/or
angled), a stabilizer plate must be installed.
Figure: 10 TAC §80.55(c)(2)
(d)
WIND ZONE I Installation:
(1)
Typical anchor layout, single and multi-section units (WIND
ZONE I ONLY):
Figure: 10 TAC §80.55(d)(1)
(2)
Table 4A: The following table describes the maximum
spacing for diagonal ties along each side of the unit.
Figure: 10 TAC §80.55(d)(2)
(3)
Table 4B: Minimum number of diagonal ties required
per side, per unit length. Table based on 2 feet inset of anchors at each
end.
Figure: 10 TAC §80.55(d)(3)
(4)
When approved auger anchors cannot be inserted into
a difficult soil after moistening, such as mixed soil and rock or caliche
(heavily weathered limestone) that is not solid rock, approved cross drive
rock anchors may be used in accordance with the values and notes for Table
4A in paragraph (2) of this subsection modified as follows:
(A)
since the ultimate anchor pull out in the difficult soil
will be reduced, the maximum spacing for diagonal ties per side is one half
the spacing allowed by Table 4A which will require adding one additional cross
drive rock anchor for each anchor specified;
(B)
the rods of the approved cross drive rock anchors must
be fully inserted, have at least 24 inches of the rod lengths embedded in
the difficult soil, and be restrained from horizontal movement, when feasible,
by a stabilizer plate between the rods and the home; and
(C)
each cross drive rock anchor is connected to one diagonal
tie and is not connected to a vertical tie.
(e)
WIND ZONE II Installation:
(1)
In place of the requirements as shown in subsection (d)
of this section, units designed for Wind Zone I and built prior to September
1, 1997, and units designed for Wind Zone II and built prior to July 13, 1994,
require diagonal ties as set forth in Table 5A when these units are installed
in Wind Zone II. See also §80.50 of this title (relating to Wind Zone
Regulations). Items not specifically addressed in this section are the same
as for Wind Zone I installations.
Figure: 10 TAC §80.55(e)(1)
(2)
Units built to Wind Zone II on or after July 13, 1994.
(A)
Units built to Wind Zone II on or after July 13, 1994,
should have either built-in, or provisions for connecting, vertical ties along
the sidewall(s) of each unit(s). A diagonal tie must be installed at each
vertical tie location (except for designated shearwall tie). Built-in vertical
ties shall be connected to anchors. If there are brackets or other provisions
for connecting vertical ties, vertical ties shall be added at the brackets
or provisions and connected to anchors.
(B)
Only factory installed vertical ties may be closer than
4 feet from each other.
(C)
Where tie locations are clearly marked as a shear wall
strap, a perimeter pier must be installed at that location. See subsection
§80.54(c) of this title (relating to Standards for the Installation of
Manufactured Homes) for perimeter pier construction. Diagonal tie is not required.
(D)
Where the vertical tie spacing exceeds 8'-0" on-center
(see also note 6 in table 5A for exception), the anchoring system must be
approved by the home manufacturer's installation manual, or designed by a
professional engineer or architect licensed in the state of Texas.
(E)
Where pier heights exceed 36 inches in height, the diagonal
strap shall be connected to the opposite I-Beam (see Figure 1).
Figure: 10 TAC §80.55(e)(2)(E)
(F)
Where vertical tie locations are not easily discernable,
the vertical ties may be connected to the main I-Beam rails and the anchor
installed directly below that connection point. The diagonal tie must be connected
to the opposite main I-Beam. In no case shall the distance between those ties
exceed 5'-4" on-center (see Figure 2).
Figure: 10 TAC §80.55(e)(2)(F)
(3)
Multi-section centerline anchoring requirements
(Wind Zone II only):
(A)
centerline anchor ties are required for ALL Wind Zone II
installations, regardless of the date the unit was manufactured, when installation
occurs on or after the effective date of these rules.
(B)
factory installed centerline vertical ties, brackets, buckles
or any other connecting devices must be connected to a ground anchor. No additional
anchors as described in subparagraph (D) of this paragraph are required.
(C)
to avoid obstructions and/or piers and footers, the anchor
may be offset up to 12 inches perpendicular to the centerline.
(D)
where factory preparations do not exist, install anchors
and angle iron brackets at each side of mating line openings wider than 48
inches per table 5B (see Figure 5B for detail).
(i)
Where equal spans exist opposite each other (i.e., each
section), a double bracket assembly may be used. The maximum opening is per
table 5B. Total uplift load may not exceed the anchor and/or strap capacity
(i.e., 3150 pounds).
(ii)
the angle iron bracket is minimum 11 gauge. The holes
for the lag screws are a maximum of 4 inches apart.
(iii)
lag screws/bolts are minimum 5/16 x 3 inches, full thread.
(4)
For openings separated by a wall or post
16 inches or less in width, the opening span is the total of the spans on
each side of the wall/post.
(f)
Bracket Installation.
(1)
Table 5B: Maximum Centerline wall opening for column uplift
brackets
(see figure 5B for typical installation
details).
Figure: 10 TAC §80.55(f)(1)
(2)
Figure 5B shows both single and double bracket assemblies
for illustration purposes only. Use a single bracket for openings which exist
on one section only. Use double bracket where openings are opposite each other
on two sections of the home.
(3)
When only one bracket assembly is required, it may
be installed on either side of the column/opening stud(s), but no more than
12 inches from the column or opening stud(s). (See examples in figure 5C.)
(4)
When two bracket assemblies are required, they must
be installed on each side of the column/opening stud(s), but no more than
12 inches from the column/opening stud(s) (see examples in figure 5C), and
they must be angled away from each other a minimum of 12 inches.
Figure: 10 TAC §80.55(f)(4)
(5)
Example: A double section unit with each section being
14 feet wide;
(A)
Span "A" is 18'-0", matching span both sections;
(B)
Span "B" is 14'-8", matching span both sections;
(C)
Span "C" is 6'-8", matching span both sections; and
(D)
Span "D" is 13'-4", one side only.
Figure: 10 TAC §80.55(f)(5)(D)
(6)
Longitudinal ties:
(A)
Longitudinal ties are required for ALL Wind Zone II installations,
regardless of date of manufacture, when installation occurs after the effective
date of these rules.
(B)
Longitudinal ties are designed to prevent lateral movement
along the length of the home.
(C)
The strap may be connected or wrapped around front or rear
chassis header members, around existing chassis cross members, or spring hangers.
Their location along the length of the home is not critical, as long as the
number of longitudinal ties required for each end of each home section are
installed with their pull in opposite directions. See Figures 1 and 2 in subparagraph
(D) of this paragraph.
(D)
Units less than 60 feet in box length require at least
two longitudinal ties per end per section. These longitudinal ties are in
addition to the sidewall ties.
Figure: 10 TAC §80.55(f)(6)(D)
This agency hereby certifies that the adoption
has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the
agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on August
3, 1999.
TRD-9904760
Daisy A. Stiner
Executive Director
Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs
Effective date: October 2, 1999
Proposal publication date: May 7, 1999
For further information, please call: (512) 475-3726