13VAC5-91 Virginia Industrialized Building Safety Regulations

REGULATIONS

Vol. 26 Iss. 2 - September 28, 2009

TITLE 13. HOUSING

BOARD OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Chapter 91

Proposed Regulation

Title of Regulation: 13VAC5-91. Virginia Industrialized Building Safety Regulations (amending 13VAC5-91-10, 13VAC5-91-20, 13VAC5-91-40, 13VAC5-91-50, 13VAC5-91-60, 13VAC5-91-70, 13VAC5-91-100, 13VAC5-91-120, 13VAC5-91-160, 13VAC5-91-200, 13VAC5-91-210, 13VAC5-91-245, 13VAC5-91-260).

Statutory Authority: § 36-73 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Hearing Information:

January 25, 2010 - 10 a.m. - Virginia Housing Development Authority, Virginia Housing Center, 4224 Cox Road, Glen Allen, VA

Public Comment Deadline: January 25, 2010.

Agency Contact: Stephen W. Calhoun, Regulatory Coordinator, Department of Housing and Community Development, Main Street Center, 600 East Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone [phone], FAX [phone], TTY [phone], or email [e-mail].

Summary:

The proposed amendments are general clarification and correlation changes that are proposed to more closely match legislative language and to coordinate the application of the regulations with the other building and fire regulations of the board.

The proposed amendments (i) conform the regulations with statutory provisions and updated industry standards; (ii) coordinate the application of the regulations with the other building and fire regulations of the board; (iii) exempt shipping containers and portable on demand storage (PODS) containers from the regulations; (iv) allow the department to perform inspection of manufacturing facilities and at building sites during reasonable hours and issue inspection reports for correction of violations caused by the manufacturer; (v) more succinctly delineate the responsibilities of the local building official under these regulations, and clarify that site work associated with the installation of an industrialized building is subject to the Uniform Statewide Building Code and not this regulation; (vi) clarify that signs identifying unregistered industrialized buildings on sales lots are not necessary for accessory shed-type buildings; (vii) establish a methodology for a compliance assurance agency to use in evaluating an existing unregistered building for registering the building without unnecessary disassembly, and clarify that this methodology may only be used when the date of manufacture is known; (viii) update the ASTM E541-01 Standard to the E541-08 Standard for Agencies Engaged in System Analysis and Compliance Assurance for Manufactured Building, and add the option for inspection personnel of obtaining a DHCD or ICC certification in the appropriate subject area in lieu of complying with the ASTM E541 Standard when conducting compliance assurance inspection; (ix) require a label on each manufactured section or module of a registered industrialized building in conjunction with a new fee structure to be charged to each module or section; (x) revise the list of information required on permanent manufacturer’s date plat; and (xi) update seal requirements to include one for each section or module and change the fees to reflect the change in seal requirements, and give the option of either placing a seal on each section or module or all of the modules or sections in one location in the completed building and submitting fees by electronic means.

13VAC5-91-10. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Administrator" means the Director of DHCD or his designee.

"Approved" as applied to a material, device, method of construction, registered building, or as otherwise used in this chapter means approved by the administrator.

"Building official" means the officer or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of the USBC, or duly authorized representative.

"Compliance assurance agency" means an architect or professional engineer registered in Virginia, or an organization, determined by DHCD to be specially qualified by reason of facilities, personnel, experience, and demonstrated reliability, to investigate, test and evaluate industrialized buildings; to list such buildings complying with standards at least equal to this chapter; to provide adequate follow-up services at the point of manufacture to ensure that production units are in full compliance; and to provide a label as evidence of compliance on each registered industrialized building manufactured section or module.

"DHCD" means the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.

"ICC" means the International Code Council, Inc.

"Industrialized building" means a combination of one or more sections or modules, subject to state regulations and including the necessary electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilating, and other service systems, manufactured off-site and transported to the point of use for installation or erection, with or without other specified components, to comprise a finished building. Manufactured homes defined in § 36-85.3 of the Code of Virginia and certified under the provisions of the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act (42 USC § 5401 et seq.) shall not be considered industrialized buildings for the purpose of this law.

"Model" means a specific design of an industrialized building designated by the producer of the building including production buildings with variations and options that do not affect compliance with the standards governing structural, plumbing, mechanical, or electrical systems or any other items governed by this chapter.

"Registered" means an industrialized building which displays a registration seal issued by DHCD in accordance with this chapter.

"SBCAO" means the State Building Code Administrative Office within DHCD.

"State Review Board" means the Virginia State Building Code Technical Review Board as established by § 36-108 of the Code of Virginia.

"This law" means the Virginia Industrialized Building Safety Law as embraced in Chapter 4 (§ 36-70 et seq.) of Title 36 of the Code of Virginia.

"USBC" means the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (13VAC5-63).

13VAC5-91-20. Application and compliance.

A. This chapter shall apply to industrialized buildings. The following provisions are in In accordance with § 36-81 of the Code of Virginia. Registered, registered industrialized buildings shall be acceptable in all localities as meeting the requirements of the Industrialized Building Safety Law (Chapter 4 (§ 36-70 et seq.) of Title 36 of the Code of Virginia), which shall supersede the building codes and regulations of the counties, municipalities and state agencies. Local requirements affecting industrialized buildings, including zoning, utility connections, preparation of the site and maintenance of the unit shall remain in full force and effect. All building officials are authorized to and shall enforce the provisions of this law, and the rules and regulations made in pursuance thereof the Industrialized Building Safety Law (Chapter 4 (§ 36-70 et seq.) of Title 36 of the Code of Virginia) and this chapter.

B. No In accordance with § 36-78 of the Code of Virginia, no person, firm or corporation shall offer for sale or rental, or sell or rent, any industrialized building subject to any provisions of this chapter if the industrialized building is not in compliance with any such provisions unless it conforms with the applicable provisions of this chapter.

C. In accordance with subsection A of this section, the provisions of the USBC shall not be applicable to the design and construction of registered industrialized buildings. However, the provisions of this chapter do not prohibit the administrative provisions of the USBC for permits, inspections, certificates of occupancy and other matters from being applicable to the extent they are not addressed by the requirements of this chapter. Additionally, the provisions of this chapter do not prohibit alterations and additions to existing industrialized buildings from being regulated by the USBC or building officials from requiring the submission of plans and specifications for the model involved in electronic or other available format to aid in the evaluation of the proposed addition or alteration.

D. Industrialized buildings Further, any industrialized building constructed prior to before January 1, 1972, shall remain subject to the ordinances, laws or regulations in effect at the time such industrialized building was constructed. Additionally, the provisions of this chapter do not prohibit pertinent provisions of the USBC from being applicable when such industrialized buildings are as a requirement of this chapter, any industrialized building bearing the label of a compliance assurance agency shall remain subject to the provisions of this chapter that were effective when such building was constructed, regardless of whether the building has been relocated.

C. In accordance with § 36-99 of the Code of Virginia and in accordance with the USBC, the installation or erection of industrialized buildings and alterations, additions, or repairs to industrialized buildings are regulated by the USBC and not this chapter. The USBC provides for administrative requirements for permits, inspections, and certificates or occupancy for such work.

D. Shipping containers and portable on demand storage (PODS) containers are not subject to this chapter.

13VAC5-91-40. Inspection and enforcement.

A. The SBCAO is designated as the administrator's representative for the enforcement of this chapter and shall act as the building official for registered industrialized buildings. It shall have authority to make such inspections during reasonable hours at the manufacturing facilities and at building sites where industrialized buildings are being installed. The SBCAO shall have authority to issue inspection reports for correction of violations caused by the manufacturer and to take such other actions as are required to enforce this chapter.

B. The SBCAO will maintain a list of approved compliance assurance agencies. Each manufacturer producing registered industrialized buildings will contract with one or more compliance assurance agencies for required evaluation, monitoring and inspection services. The contract will delineate the services to be provided by the compliance assurance agency. The compliance assurance agency will notify the SBCAO within 30 days of signing a new contract or terminating an existing contract with any manufacturer.

13VAC5-91-50. Factory Right of entry and field inspections examination by administrator.

A. The SBCAO shall conduct such inspections of factories producing industrialized buildings as may be necessary during reasonable hours to determine whether the designated compliance assurance agency is performing its evaluation and compliance assurance functions in a satisfactory manner.

B. The SBCAO may also make inspections during reasonable hours to determine whether unoccupied industrialized buildings are in compliance with this chapter. Such inspections may include, but are not limited to, industrialized buildings on dealer lots or industrialized buildings that are otherwise offered for sale to the public. Occupied industrialized buildings may be inspected by the SBCAO at the request of the owners or occupants.

In accordance with § 36-82 of the Code of Virginia, the administrator shall have the right, at all reasonable hours, to enter into any industrialized building upon permission of any person who has authority or shares the use, access, or control over the building, or upon request from local officials having jurisdiction, for examination as to compliance with this chapter.

13VAC5-91-60. Violations Notice of violation.

Where In accordance with § 36-82 of the Code of Virginia, whenever the administrator finds shall find any violation of the provisions of this chapter, a notice of violation shall be issued. This notice of violation shall order the party responsible he shall order the person responsible therefor to bring the unit building into compliance within a reasonable time, to be fixed in the order. The In addition, as a requirement of this chapter, the administrator may request assistance from the building official for enforcement of this section.

13VAC5-91-70. Appeals.

A. Appeals In accordance with § 36-82.1 of the Code of Virginia, appeals from building officials, compliance assurance agencies or manufacturers of industrialized buildings concerning DHCD's application of this chapter shall be heard by the State Review Board established by § 36-108 of the Code of Virginia. The State Review Board shall have the power and duty to render its decision in any such appeal, which decision shall be final if no further appeal is made. In addition, as a requirement of this chapter, appeals shall be submitted to the State Review Board within 21 calendar days of receipt of DHCD's decision. A copy of the decision of DHCD to be appealed shall be submitted with the application for appeal. Failure to submit an application for appeal within the time limit established by this section shall constitute acceptance of DHCD's decision.

B. Procedures of the State Review Board are in accordance with Article 2 (§ 36-108 et seq.) of Chapter 6 of Title 36 of the Code of Virginia. Decisions of the State Review Board shall be final if no appeal is made therefrom.

13VAC5-91-100. Duties and responsibilities of building officials in the installation or erection of a registered industrialized building.

A. Building All building officials are authorized by § 36-81 of the Code of Virginia to enforce the provisions of this chapter and shall carry out the following functions provided such functions do not involve disassembly of the registered building or a change in its design or result in the imposition of more stringent conditions than those required by the compliance assurance agency or by this chapter be responsible for and authorized to do the following.

1. Verify through inspection that the registered industrialized building displays the required state registration seal and the proper label of the compliance assurance agency and.

2. Verify through inspection that the registered industrialized building has not been damaged in transit to a degree that would render it unsafe. If the building has been damaged, then the building official is authorized to require tests for tightness of plumbing systems and gas piping and tests for damaged or loose wires, or both, in the electrical system an operational test to ensure that all luminaries and receptacles are operable.

2. Verify through inspection that (i) supplemental components required by the data plate or by the installation instructions are properly provided and properly installed, (ii) the construction work associated with the installation of the building and the instructions from the manufacturer for the installation and erection of the building are followed, and (iii) any special conditions or limitations of use for the building that are stipulated in the manufacturer's instructions or by the data plate and authorized by this chapter are followed.

3. Prevent the use or occupancy of a registered industrialized building that in the opinion of the building official contains a serious defect or imminent safety hazard and notify the SBCAO immediately.

4. Notify the SBCAO of any apparent violations of this chapter to include defects and noncompliance.

B. Building officials are authorized to require submission of plans and specifications for details of items needed to comprise the finished building that are not included or specified in the manufacturer's installation instructions such as footings, foundations, supporting structures and proper anchorage. They may require such architectural and engineering services as may be necessary to assure that the footings, foundations and supporting structures, proper anchorage and other components necessary to comprise the finished building are designed in accordance with the applicable provisions of this chapter.

C. When a building official determines that a violation of any provision of this section is present, the responsible person shall be notified and given a reasonable time to correct the violation. If the violation is not corrected, the building official shall institute the appropriate proceedings to require correction or abatement of the violation and may prohibit the occupancy of the building until the violation is corrected. In accordance with 13VAC5-91-60, the administrator shall also have the authority to compel correction of violations of this section and may be contacted by the building official for assistance.

B. In accordance with § 36-99 of the Code of Virginia and the USBC, all site work associated with the installation or erection of an industrialized building is subject to the USBC. In addition, under the USBC, all administrative requirements for permits, inspections, and certificates of occupancy are also applicable.

13VAC5-91-120. Unregistered industrialized buildings.

A. The building official shall determine whether any unregistered industrialized building complies with this chapter and shall require any noncomplying unregistered building to be brought into compliance with this chapter. The building official shall enforce all applicable requirements of this chapter including those relating to the sale, rental and disposition of noncomplying buildings. The building official may require submission of full plans and specifications for each building. Concealed parts of the building may be exposed to the extent necessary to permit inspection to determine compliance with the applicable requirements. The building official may also accept reports of inspections and tests from individuals or agencies deemed acceptable to the building official.

B. Unregistered industrialized buildings offered for sale in this Commonwealth shall be marked by a warning sign to prospective purchasers that the building is not registered in accordance with this chapter and must be inspected and approved by the building official. The sign shall be of a size and form approved by the administrator and shall be conspicuously posted on the exterior of the unit near the main entrance door. This requirement shall not apply to residential accessory buildings.

C. An existing unregistered industrialized building may be registered in accordance with the following:

1. Where an unregistered building was constructed under an industrialized building program of another state and approved under such program, a compliance assurance agency shall prepare a report based on review of the plans and specifications and inspection of the building to determine whether there is compliance with the construction requirements of this chapter that were in effect on the date of manufacture of the building. If compliance is determined, the compliance assurance agency shall (i) mark the building with a compliance assurance agency label in accordance with 13VAC5-91-210, (ii) place a new manufacturer's data plate on the building in accordance with 13VAC5-91-245, (iii) mark the building with a registration seal in accordance with 13VAC5-91-260, and (iv) forward a copy of the report and new data plate to the SBCAO.

2. Where an unregistered building was not approved under an industrialized building program of another state and the date of manufacture can be verified, the compliance assurance agency shall inspect the building, including any disassembly necessary, to determine whether there is compliance with the construction requirements of this chapter that were in effect on the date of manufacture of the building. When factory plans are available, then disassembly is not required to the extent that the factory plans can be verified to reflect the actual construction of the building. When compliance with the construction requirements of this chapter that were in effect on the date of manufacture of the building is achieved, the compliance assurance agency shall prepare a report documenting compliance, outlining any changes made to the building, and certifying the building in accordance with clauses (i) through (iv) of subdivision 1 of this subsection.

3. When the date of manufacture of the existing unregistered building cannot be verified, the building shall be evaluated for compliance with the codes and standards specified in 13VAC5-91-160. The compliance assurance agency shall inspect the building, including any disassembly necessary, to determine whether there is compliance with these construction requirements. If compliance is achieved, the compliance assurance agency shall prepare a report documenting compliance, outlining any changes made to the building, and certifying the building in accordance with clauses (i) through (iv) of subdivision 1 of this subsection.

13VAC5-91-160. Use of model codes and standards.

A. Industrialized buildings produced after May 1, 2008 (date to be inserted), shall be reasonably safe for the users and shall provide reasonable protection to the public against hazards to life, health and property. Compliance comply with all applicable requirements of the following codes and standards, subject to the specified time limitations, shall be acceptable evidence of compliance with this provision:

The following codes and standards may be used until August 1, 2008 (date to be inserted):

1. ICC International Building Code -- - 2003 2006 Edition

2. ICC International Plumbing Code -- - 2003 2006 Edition

3. ICC International Mechanical Code -- - 2003 2006 Edition

4. National Fire Protection Association Standard Number 70 (National Electrical Code) -- - 2002 2005 Edition

5. ICC International Residential Code -- - 2003 2006 Edition

B. The following documents are adopted and incorporated by reference to be an enforceable part of this chapter:

1. ICC International Building Code -- - 2006 2009 Edition

2. ICC International Plumbing Code -- - 2006 2009 Edition

3. ICC International Mechanical Code -- - 2006 2009 Edition

4. National Electrical Code -- - 2005 2008 Edition

5. ICC International Residential Code -- - 2006 2009 Edition

The codes and standards referenced above may be procured from:

International Code Council, Inc.
500 New Jersey Avenue, NW, 6th Floor
Washington, DC 20001-2070

13VAC5-91-200. Information required by the administrator.

All of the following information and criteria will be considered by the administrator in designating compliance assurance agencies:

1. Names of officers and location of offices.

2. Specification and description of services proposed to be furnished under this chapter.

3. Description of qualifications of personnel and their responsibilities, including an assurance that personnel involved in system analysis, design and plans review, compliance assurance inspections, and their supervisors comply with the requirements of the American Society for Testing and Material (ASTM) Standard Number E541-01 E541-08 - Standard Specification for Agencies Engaged in System Analysis and Compliance Assurance for Manufactured Building or shall obtain ICC or DHCD certifications in the appropriate subject area within 18 months of employment and maintain such certifications in an active status.

4. Summary of experience within the organization.

5. General description of procedures and facilities to be used in proposed services, including evaluation of the model, factory follow-up, quality assurance, labeling of production buildings, and specific information to be furnished on or with labels.

6. Procedures to deal with any defective buildings resulting from oversight.

7. Acceptance of these services by independent accrediting organizations and by other jurisdictions.

8. Proof of independence and absence of conflict of interest.

The ASTM Standard Number E541-01 E541-08 may be procured from:

American Society for Testing and Materials 100 Barr Harbor Drive West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959

13VAC5-91-210. Compliance assurance agency certification label.

Every manufactured section or module of a registered industrialized building shall be marked with a label supplied by the compliance assurance agency that includes the name and address of the compliance assurance agency and the certification label number.

13VAC5-91-245. Manufacturer's data plate.

A. All of the following information shall be placed on a permanent manufacturer's data plate in the vicinity of the electrical distribution panel or in some other location that is readily accessible for inspection. The compliance assurance agency shall approve the form and location of the data plate and shall ensure that the data plate is complete:

1. Manufacturer's name and address.

2. Compliance assurance agency certification number.

3. Serial number of each module of the building.

4. Serial number of the Virginia registration seal.

5. Date of manufacture of the building.

6. List of codes and standards under which the building was evaluated and constructed and the type of construction and occupancy classification under those codes and standards.

7. Design live roof load, design floor live load and, design wind load speed, and design ground snow load.

8. Seismic design zone number.

9. 8. Thermal transmittance values or thermal resistance ("R") values.

10. 9. Special conditions or limitations concerning the use of the building under the codes and standards applicable to the building; however, a list of such conditions or limitations that are furnished separately with the building shall satisfy this requirement.

11. 10. Special instructions for handling, installation and erection of the building,; however, a list of such instructions that are furnished separately with the building shall satisfy this requirement.

12. 11. Designation of electrical service ratings, directions for water and drain connections and, where applicable, identification of permissible type of gas for appliances.

13. 12. Name of manufacturer and model designation of major factory installed appliances.

B. The manufacturer shall maintain copies of the data plate and reports of inspection, tests and any corrective action taken for a minimum period of 10 years from the date of manufacture of the building.

13VAC5-91-260. Registration seal for industrialized buildings.

A. Registered industrialized buildings shall be marked with an approved registration seal seals issued by the SBCAO. The seal seals shall be applied by the manufacturer to a registered industrialized building intended for sale or use in Virginia prior to the shipment of the building from the place of manufacture.

B. Registered industrialized buildings shall bear a one registration seal for on each dwelling unit in residential occupancies. For nonresidential occupancies, a manufactured section or module, or, as an alternative, the registration seal is required for each registered for each manufactured section or module may be placed in one location in the completed building.

C. Approved registration seals may be purchased from the SBCAO in advance of use. The fee for each registration seal shall be $75 $50. Checks Fees shall be submitted by checks made payable to "Treasurer of Virginia" or shall be submitted by electronic means." Payment for the seals must be received by the SBCAO before the seals can be sent to the user.

D. To the extent practicable, the registration seal shall be installed so that it cannot be removed without destroying it. It shall be installed near the label applied by the compliance assurance agency.

E. The compliance assurance agency or the manufacturer under the supervision of the compliance assurance agency shall maintain permanent records of the disposition of all Virginia registration seals obtained by the compliance assurance agency or manufacturer.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (13VAC5-91)

ICC International Plumbing Code -- 2003 and 2006 and 2009 Editions, International Code Council.

ICC International Mechanical Code -- 2003 and 2006 and 2009 Editions, International Code Council.

National Fire Protection Association Standard Number 70 (National Electrical Code) -- 2002 and 2005 and 2008 Editions.

ICC International Building Code -- 2003 and 2006 and 2009 Editions, International Code Council.

ICC International Residential Code -- 2003 and 2006 and 2009 Editions, International Code Council.

ASTM Standard Number E541-01 E541-08 -- Standard Specification for Agencies Engaged in System Analysis and Compliance Assurance for Manufactured Building, American Society for Testing and Materials.

VA.R. Doc. No. R09-1895; Filed August 27, 2009, 10:00 a.m.