14.12.5.11

PERMANENT FOUNDATION SYSTEM (New or used; pre-owned or resold): The following requirements apply to new, used, pre-owned or resold manufactured homes, unless otherwise indicated.

1. A. These standards are minimum state requirements and they are applicable to new and used home installations, unless expressly specified otherwise. The division may approve other permanent foundations when the manufacturer’s installation manual does not make a provision for permanent foundations or is not available. Two sets of drawings submitted by a New Mexico licensed engineer or a HUD approved D.A.P.I.A engineer may be submitted to the division for review, and subsequent denial or approval along with a certificate that the engineer has contacted the home’s manufacturer. No political subdivision of the state shall regulate the installation or construction standards, of a manufactured home, including foundation systems.

2. B. Perimeter enclosement.

   (1) All materials used for a perimeter enclosement must be approved by the division.

   (2) Materials shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's recommended installation instructions or in accordance with the minimum standards accepted by the division.

   (3) The manufactured home's perimeter enclosement must be self-ventilating, and no flammable objects may be stored under the manufactured home.

   (4) An access or inspection panel shall be installed in the perimeter enclosement and shall be located so that utilities and blocking may be inspected.

   (5) All vents and openings shall be installed to prevent entry of rodents and direct rainfall not to exceed ¼ inch mesh.

   (6) All perimeter enclosements in excess of thirty inches (30") in height must be supported vertically at least every four (4') feet or installed according to the enclosement manufacturer's specifications.

3. C. New home installations. The manufacturer’s installation manual shall be followed for all new homes installed within the state of New Mexico. The person(s) performing the work to install a new home shall be responsible to insure that all necessary installation permits have been obtained by the homeowner, customer or installer, to be determined in writing prior to the delivery of subject home. Compliance with permanent foundation criteria, site work 14.12.5.9 NMAC, planning, and zoning, slope and drainage requirements is the sole and separate responsibility of the persons, companies or contractors performing such work.
4. D. Installation of used, pre-owned or resold manufactured homes. The installer of a used, pre-owned or resold manufactured home shall be responsible to insure that all necessary installation permits have been obtained by the customer, retailer or installer. Compliance with permanent foundation criteria, site work 14.12.5.9 NMAC, planning, and zoning, slope and drainage requirements is the sole and separate responsibility of the persons, companies or contractors performing such work. The manufacturer’s manual shall be kept with the subject home at all times. The installer shall use the manufacturer’s installation instructions and installation manual when available.

5. E. Re-installed units: The following regulations shall apply to all homes being re-installed where no manufacturer’s installation manual is provided.

   (1) The lowest point of the frame shall be a minimum of eighteen (18") inches above the ground level under the manufactured home.

   (2) The slope around the manufactured home shall provide for the control and drainage of surface water and shall be sufficient to prevent the collection of water under the home or around the perimeter of the home.

6. F. A minimum thirty-two inch by thirty-two inch (32"X32") access or inspection panel shall be installed a minimum of three (3") inches above grade and located to allow inspection at any time. The cover on the exterior access inspection panel must be constructed to exclude entry of vermin and water.

7. G. Footings and piers.

   (1) The manufactured home shall be installed on ribbon footings set on the undisturbed ground not less than five and one-half (51/2") inches in thickness and sixteen (16") inches in width with two (2) pieces of continuous three-eighth (3/8") inch rebar or a number 10 gauge re-mesh wire installed in the footing. All footings shall be constructed of a minimum of three thousand (3000) pound concrete. All above grade footings shall be constructed with forms (wood, fiberboard, metal, plastic), used to contain poured concrete while in a plastic state. These forms must be firmly braced to withstand side pressure or settlement and to maintain design dimensions. Finished concrete surface(s) shall be smooth and level to fully accept and support pier installation(s). Forms may be removed upon sufficient hardening of concrete. The home may be placed whenever concrete is properly cured, minimum of seven (7) days.

   (2) Piers shall be constructed in accordance with 14.12.5.10 NMAC of these regulations.

   (3) The steel frame must be attached to the footing supporting the structure by means of a listed anchoring device at least every twelve (12) feet at a maximum and no more than two (2) feet from each end wall.

8. H. Ventilation:

   (1) All manufactured homes shall have one (1) square foot of unrestricted venting area for every one hundred-fifty (150) square feet of enclosed floor space. Vents shall be uniformly distributed on the two (2) opposite long- walls. At least one vent shall be located within four (4) feet of each end-wall.

   (2) Vents shall be constructed and installed to exclude entry of vermin and water.

9. I. Alternative permanent foundation systems:

   (1) Other types of permanent foundation systems designed for the purpose of classifying an installation as a permanent foundation shall be submitted on an individual basis. These require submittal of installation instructions, calculations and design layouts. All submissions shall be stamped by a New Mexico licensed engineer, and each application shall be region specific. Commercially packaged systems must submit their complete installation and design package to be kept on file with the division. It shall be the responsibility of the system proprietor to submit any updates or alterations of the system.

   (2) Any installation of an alternative foundation system on a new home or any home within two years of original purchase must be installed based upon the manufacturer’s written approval or be included in the manufacturer’s installation manual.

[14.12.5.11 NMAC - Rp, 14.12.2.57 NMAC, 12-01-10]