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235.02.1-602. State Installation Specifications

AR ADC 235.02.1-602Arkansas Administrative CodeEffective: August 17, 2020

West's Arkansas Administrative Code
Title 235. Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing
Division 2. Arkansas Manufactured Home Commission
Rule 1. Rules Including General Installation & Anchoring Specifications
Chapter VI. Installation and Anchoring Specifications
Effective: August 17, 2020
Ark. Admin. Code 235.02.1-602
Formerly cited as AR ADC 066.00.1-6
235.02.1-602. State Installation Specifications
Currentness
A. Site Preparation
1. All decayable materials, including grass, leaves, roots and wood, shall be removed from under the locations of footings and foundations. Manufactured home purchasers shall provide a site suitable for the placement of a home.
2. Footings and foundation base blocks shall rest on undisturbed or minimum ninety percent (90%) compacted soil of uniform density and thickness or equivalent base material.
3. Soil classification and bearing capacity of the soil must be determined before the foundation is constructed and anchored. Soil classification and bearing capacity may be determined by one or more of the following methods, unless the soil bearing capacity is established as permitted in (f) of this section:
a. Soil tests in accordance with generally accepted engineering practices;
b. Soil records of the applicable local authority having jurisdiction;
c. A pocket penetrometer; or
d. If soil classification or bearing capacity cannot be determined by test or soil records, the classification, allowable pressures and torque value shown in the table below may be used.
Soil Classification
Classification Number
ASTM D 2478-00 or D 2488-00
Soil Description
Allowable Soil Bearing Pressure PSF
Blow Count ASTM D 1586-99
Torque Probe Value (inch-pounds)
1
Rock or Hard Pan
4000 +
2
GW, GP, SW, SP, GM, SM
Sandy Gravel & Gravel; Very Dense and/or Cemented Sands; Coarse Gravel/Cobbles; Preloaded Silts, Clays & Corals
2000
40 +
More Than 550
3
GC, SC, ML, CL
Sand; Silty Sand; Clayey Sands; Silty Gravel; Medium Dense Coarse Sands; Sandy Gravel; and Very Stiff Silt, Sand Clays
1500
24-39
351-550
4A
CG. MH2
Loose to Medium Dense Sands; Firm to Stiff Clays & Silts; Alluvial Fills
1000
18-23
276-350
4B
CH, MH2
Loose Sands; Firm Clays; Alluvial Fills
1000
12-17
175-275
5
OL, OH. PT
Uncompacted Fill; Peat; Organic Clays
0-11
Less Than 175
e. In lieu of determining soil bearing capacity by use of the methods listed in this section, an allowable pressure of 1000 pounds per square foot (psf) may be used, unless the site-specific information requires the use of lower values based on soil classification and type.
f. If the soil appears to be composed of peat, organic clays or uncompacted fill, a registered geologist, registered professional engineer or registered architect must determine the soil classification and maximum allowable soil bearing capacity.
g. The installation shall not contribute to ponding of water under the home.
B. Pier Foundations -- Footings
1. The foundation specifications contained in this section are not intended to address flood loads or special site conditions. Consult the LAHJ or a registered engineer if the home is to be located in a flood hazard area or has special site considerations.
2. Support foundations for each pier shall be concrete, either site built or pre-cast, having minimum dimensions sixteen inches by sixteen inches by four inches (16″ x 16″ x 4″). Other pier support materials may be used if accepted by the manufacturer and the Commission.
3. The surface texture of poured concrete footings at each pier location shall be such that the first pier block placed at these locations shall sit firmly and evenly. If a firm, level contact between the first pier block and the surface of the footing is not possible because of surface irregularities in the footing; masonry mortar shall be used between the entire bottom surface of the first pier block and the footing to establish a solid interface contact which is level.
4. Pre-cast concrete footings (solid pad blocks) shall be installed in a level position with the entire bottom surface in contact with the site surface.
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5. Using the soil capacity, as described in Section 602(A)(3), footings should be sized according to the table below
FOOTER SIZING TABLE
Based on Soil Bearing Capacity
Opening Size
1000 PSF
1500 PSF
2000 PSF
4000 PSF
4′ -- 8′
400 sq in
256 sq in
256 sq in
256 sq in
8′ -- 16′
576 sq in
400 sq in
256 sq in
256 sq in
16′ -- 20′
784 sq in
576 sq in
400 sq in
256 sq in
20′ -- 28′
1156 sq in
784 sq in
576 sq in
256 sq in
I-Beam Footers (8′ Max Spacing)
576 sq in
400 sq in
256 sq in
256 sq in
C. Piers -- Support Columns
1. Piers -- General Construction
a. All piers shall be installed on footings or foundations and shall be centered under the I-beam. All pier columns shall be centered on the footing or foundation.
b. No manufactured home piers shall be located more than eight feet (8′) apart on center. The first pier shall be located within two feet (2′) from either end of each I-beam.
c. The installation of foundations and piers shall be constructed in a manner that shall demonstrate acceptable workmanship. Each course of all piers shall be laid level and true to the vertical and horizontal line.
d. Upon completion of the pier support system, the manufactured home shall be reasonably level in the longitudinal and side-to-side directions.
2. Piers -- Block Requirements
Piers shall be constructed of eight inches by eight inches by sixteen inches (8″ x 8″ x 16″) concrete building blocks, open celled, solid, or equivalent which meet or exceed the specifications per ASTM C90, ground-contact rated. Open celled blocks shall be installed with the open cells vertical.
3. Piers -- Height Rules
a. No pier shall be installed which is less than twelve inches (12″) in height.
b. Piers of three courses of blocks or less shall be of single block construction. All piers of single block construction installed under the main I-beam shall be installed perpendicular to the I-beam.
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c. Piers that consist of more than three courses of blocks shall be of doubled block construction and alternate courses shall be interlocking.
d. When the total height of a support column, including footing pier blocks, and wood, exceed fifty-two inches (52″), the interlocking blocks shall be filled with concrete and reinforced with three-eighths inch (3/8″) rebar.
e. When the footings, piers and wood exceed eighty inches (80″) in height, the pier construction must be designed by a professional engineer or architect and submitted to the Arkansas Manufactured Home Commission for approval prior to installation.
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4. Piers -- Cap Blocks, Top Plates and Shims
a. A combination of not more than two (2) solid concrete cap blocks two inches (2″), three inches (3″) or four inches (4″) by eight inches by sixteen inches (8″ x 16″) may be installed on top of the uppermost pier block. No combination of cap blocks may exceed seven inches (7″) in height.
b. A two inches by eight inches by sixteen inches (2″ x 8″ x 16″) (nominal) pressure preservative treated wood plate(s) shall completely cover the top of the uppermost concrete building unit(s) of each pier.
c. Additional pressure preservative treated wooden shims with a minimum width of five and one-half inches (5 1/2″) and a minimum length of twelve inches (12″) and a minimum thickness of one-quarter inch (1/4″) and a maximum thickness of one inch (1″) may be used between the wood plate and the I-beam.
d. Hardwood wedges with a minimum width of four inches (4″) and a minimum length of six inches (6″) and a maximum installed thickness of one inch (1″) may be used if placed directly between the last wooden member of the pier and the point of support. Wedges shall be centered and driven tight from both sides of the I-beam or marriage line perimeter joists.
5. Piers -- Marriage Line and Perimeter Blocking
a. The marriage line of multi-section manufactured homes shall be supported by piers located no more than eight feet (8′) apart on center and shall have piers located within two feet of each end of the marriage line. In addition to these piers, multi-section homes shall have piers located under the jamb studs or ridge beam column posts for openings in the marriage wall of four feet (4′) or greater.
b. Piers shall also be located on each side of any exterior door, fireplace, bay window or any other opening of forty-eight inches (48″) or more.
D. Multi-Section Homes -- Marriage Line and Utility Connections
1. Multi-Section Homes -- Sealing of Marriage Line
a. All weatherproofing material (fir strips, plastic or vinyl sheeting) shall be removed from floor joints, marriage walls and end walls.
b. Sill sealer strips, expanding foam or other insulating material shall be installed along the ceiling, floor and end wall marriage lines to prevent air infiltration. Such strips or material (other than foam) shall be secured in place with staples or nails.
c. Gaps between floor sections or ridge beams, which do not extend the full length of the home, may not exceed two inches (2″) in width and must be sealed with plywood, lumber or other building material. End wall marriage lines must be covered with exterior siding material to resist the elements.
2. Multi-Section Homes -- Lag Bolting and Roof Ridge Connections
a. Floor sections shall be connected with lag bolts of at least five-sixteenths inch (5/16″), and of sufficient length to penetrate into the opposing floor joist at least three-quarters inch (3/4″). Lag bolts shall be installed no more than twenty inches (20″) apart on center, alternating sides. Bolting must not dislodge the rim joist.
b. Holes in bottom board caused by lag bolt installation must be sealed.
c. The roof ridge shall be covered with ridge cap or exterior roofing material to resist the elements and connected with:
1. Lag bolts installed no more than twenty inches (20″) apart on center, alternating sides, or
2. At least one and one-half inch (1 1/2″) twenty-six gauge (26 Ga.) metal straps or equivalent, secured with staples, nails or screws. A strap shall be installed at each truss, extending at least six inches (6″) on each side of the ridge.
3. Multi-Section Homes -- Utility and Air Conditioning Cross-Over Connections
a. All utility connections made by the installing retailer or installer shall be protected from weather or other elements.
b. Electrical connections shall be made inside a junction box. Cross-over wiring shall be covered with access panels or be protected by conduit attached with clamps to junction boxes.
c. The chassis of each section of the home shall be electrically bonded to one another.
d. Air conditioning cross-over ducts shall be attached to each plenum with screws and wire ties and taped to prevent air loss. The duct shall be suspended above the ground and fastened in place. Ties or straps used to suspend the duct shall not crush or crimp the duct in a manner that substantially reduces airflow.

Credits

Amended Oct. 20, 2013; Aug. 19, 2016; Jan. 29, 2017; Aug. 17, 2020.
Current with amendments received through May 15, 2024. Some sections may be more current, see credit for details.
Ark. Admin. Code 235.02.1-602, AR ADC 235.02.1-602
End of Document