Manufactured homes in New Hampshire must comply with strict state Department of Safety standards.
The state of New Hampshire Department of Safety issues standards of compliance for the manufactured home industry. These standards cover all aspects of this segment of the housing market. There are several standards that must be met before the manufactured home is ever set in place. Does this Spark an idea?
Site Preparation
Manufactured houses in New Hampshire must comply with site preparation standards whether they are being moved to the site from another site or are new homes being moved to the site from the factory. Drainage is of key concern. According to the NH Department of Safety Manufactured Housing Standards, crowning of the fill under the house needs "to slope 2-5% away from the house to allow run-off" and the house cannot be constructed in any area where water will accumulate under the house.
Load-bearing Capacity Requirements
Strict standards are required for "piers" -- the support structures between the ground and the house. Piers can be made of concrete blocks which, the NH Department of Safety Manufactured Housing standards says, must have "a nominal dimension of at least 8" x 8" x 16"" or they can be adjustable metal piers. If the overall height is over 80 inches, the piers must be designed by an architect or engineer.
Footings
All footings on which the piers are set must have the same load-bearing capacity. They must be of material that resists decay. They can be footings designed to go below the frost line; these footings must be designed by an engineer. Manufactured homes in New Hampshire can be placed on permanent foundations.
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