Code of Maine Rules › 02 - DEPARTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL AND FINANCIAL REGULATION › 385 - MANUFACTURED HOUSING BOARD › Chapter 110 - STATE CERTIFICATION OF MODULAR HOMES › Subchapter 2 - Codes and Standards › Section 385-110-2-10 - Compliance with Codes and Standards; Incorporation by Reference

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
State-certified modular homes manufactured in accordance
					 with the inspection agency approval method set forth in Subchapter 3 must
					 comply with the following codes and standards, which the Board hereby
					 incorporates into this chapter by reference. Copies of these codes and
					 standards are on file with the Maine Secretary of State and may also be
					 obtained from their publishers as set forth in Subchapter 2, Section
					 10(12).
1.
2015 International
				  Residential Code
2015 International Residential Code for One- and
					 Two-Family Dwellings
(IRC) (International Code Council, Inc., August
					 2015), is adopted with the following exceptions:
A. Section R302.13: Fire Protection of
				  Floors; Section R313: Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems; Chapter 10: Chimneys
				  and Fireplaces; Chapter 11: Energy Efficiency; Chapter 12: Mechanical
				  Administration; Chapter 13: General Mechanical System Requirements; Chapter 14:
				  Heating & Cooling Equipment& Appliances; Chapter 16: Duct Systems;
				  Chapter 17: Combustion Air; Chapter 18: Chimneys & Vents; Chapter 20:
				  Boilers & Water Heaters; Chapter 21: Hydronic Piping; Chapter 22: Special
				  Piping & Storage Systems; Chapter 24: Fuel Gas; Chapter 25: Plumbing
				  Administration; Chapter 26: General Plumbing Requirements; Chapter 27: Plumbing
				  Fixtures; Chapter 28: Water Heaters; Chapter 29: Water Supply &
				  Distribution; Chapter 30: Sanitary Drainage; Chapter 31: Vents; Chapter 32:
				  Traps; Chapter 33: Storm Drainage; Chapter 34: General Requirements; Chapter
				  35: Electrical Definitions; Chapter 36: Services; Chapter 37: Branch Circuit
				  and Feeder Requirements; Chapter 38: Wiring Methods; Chapter 39: Power and
				  Lighting Distribution; Chapter 40: Devices and Luminaires; Chapter 41:
				  Appliance Installation; Chapter 42: Swimming Pools: Chapter 43: Class 2
				  Remote-Control, Signaling and Power-Limited Circuits; Appendix A: Sizing and
				  Capacities of Gas Piping; Appendix B: Sizing of Venting Systems Serving
				  Appliances Equipped with Draft Hoods, Category 1 Appliances, and Appliances
				  Listed for Use with Type B Vents; Appendix C: Exit Terminals of Mechanical
				  Draft and Direct-Vent Venting Systems; Appendix D: Recommended Procedure for
				  Safety Inspection of an Existing Appliance Installation; Appendix E:
				  Manufactured Housing Used as Dwellings; and Appendix F: Radon Control
				  Methods.
B.
Ground Snow
				  Load
The ground snow load (Pg) statewide shall be designated as
					 50 pounds per square foot. Alternatively, a manufacturer may at its option
					 build in accordance with Section R301.2.3, which provides:
Snow loads.
Wood-framed construction,
					 cold-formed, steel-framed construction and masonry and concrete construction,
					 and structural insulated panel construction in regions with ground snow loads
					 70 pounds per square foot (3.35 kPa) or less, shall be in accordance with
					 Chapters 5, 6 and 8. Buildings in regions with ground snow loads greater than
					 70 pounds per square foot (3.35 kPa) shall be designed in accordance with
					 accepted engineering practice.
C.
Roof Load
The roof (live) load (P) need not exceed 40 pounds per
					 square foot on any portion of the roof.
D.
Wind Design Criteria
(1) The ultimate design wind speed, Vult,
				  statewide shall be 115 miles per hour.
(2) Wind load effective velocity pressures,
				  Pe, need not exceed 30 pounds per square foot.
E.
Section R302.2 shall read as
				  follows:
Townhouses.
Each townhouse shall be considered
					 a separate building and shall be separated by fire-resistance-rated wall
					 assemblies meeting the requirements of Section R302.1 for exterior
					 walls.
Exception:
A common 1-hour
					 fire-resistance-rated wall assembly tested in accordance with ASTM E 119 or UL
					 263 is permitted for townhouses if such walls do not contain plumbing or
					 mechanical equipment, ducts or vents in the cavity of the common wall. The wall
					 shall be rated for fire exposure from both sides and shall extend to and be
					 tight against exterior walls and the underside of the roof sheathing.
					 Electrical installations shall be installed in accordance with 2017 NFPA 70.
					 Penetrations of electrical outlet boxes shall be in accordance with Section
					 R302.4.
F.
F.
				  Sections R311.7.45.1, R311.7.45.2, R311.7.5.2.1 and R311.7.45.3 shall read as
				  follows:
R311.7.45.1 Risers.
The riser height shall be
					 not more than 8¼ inches. The riser shall be measured vertically between
					 leading edges of the adjacent treads. The greatest riser height within any
					 flight of stairs shall not exceed the smallest by more than 3/8 inch (9.5 mm).
					 Risers shall be vertical or sloped from the underside of the nosing of the
					 tread above at an angle not more than 30 degrees (0.51 rad) from the vertical.
					 Open risers are permitted provided that the openings located more than 30
					 inches (762 mm), as measured vertically, to the floor or grade below do not
					 permit the passage of a 4-inch-diameter (102 mm) sphere.
Exceptions:
1. The opening between adjacent treads is not
				  limited on spiral stairways.
2. The
				  riser height of spiral stairways shall be in accordance with Section
				  R311.7.10.1.
R311.7.45.2 Treads.
The tread depth shall be
					 not less than 9 inches. The tread depth shall be measured horizontally between
					 the vertical planes of the foremost projection of adjacent treads and at a
					 right angle to the tread's leading edge. The greatest tread depth within any
					 flight of stairs shall not exceed the smallest by more than 3/8 inch (9.5
					 mm).
R311.7.5.2.1 Winder treads.
Winder treads
					 shall have a tread depth of not less than 9 inches measured at a point 12
					 inches (305mm) from the side where the treads are narrower. Winder treads shall
					 have a tread depth of not less than 6 inches (152 mm) at any point. Within any
					 flight of stairs, the greatest winder tread depth at the 12 inch (305 mm)
					 walkline shall not exceed the smallest by more than 3/8 inch (9.5 mm).
Exception:
The tread depth at spiral stairways
					 shall be in accordance with Section R311.7.10.1.
R311.7.45.3 Nosings.
The radius of curvature
					 at the nosing shall be not greater than 9/16 inch (14 mm). A nosing projection
					 not less than ¾ inch (19 mm) and not more than 1¼ inches (32 mm)
					 shall be provided on stairways with solid risers, provided that a 1 inch nosing
					 shall be provided on all treads with tread width less than 9 inches. The
					 greatest nosing projection shall not exceed the smallest nosing projection by
					 more than 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) between two stories, including the nosing at the
					 level of floors and landings. Beveling of no sings shall not exceed ½
					 inch (12.7 mm).
Exception:
A no sing projection is not
					 required where the tread depth is not less than11 inches (279 mm).
The above revisions to Sections R311.7.45.1,
					 R311.7.45.2,R311.7.5.2.1 and R311.7.45.3, shall also apply to basement stairs
					 when the stairs are a component of a factory designed building system which
					 specifies the necessary basement height, and the design has been certified by
					 the Board-approved inspection agency.
G.
Section R312.1 shall read as
				  follows:
Guards.
Porches, balconies or raised floor
					 surfaces located more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the floor or grade below
					 shall have guards not less than 36 inches (914 mm) in height. Open sides of
					 stairs with a total rise of more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the floor or
					 grade below, shall have guards not less than 34 inches (864 mm) in height
					 measured vertically from the nosing of the treads.
Porches and decks which are enclosed with insect screening
					 shall be provided with guards where the walking surface is located more than 30
					 inches (762 mm) above the floor or grade below.
H.
Energy Standard for State-Certified
				  Modular Homes
(1)
Purpose and
				  Scope
The purpose of this standard is to provide a reasonable
					 energy code, based on nationally recognized codes, that will apply to all
					 State-certified modular homes that are installed in Maine. This standard sets
					 forth design and construction requirements relating to energy efficiency in
					 State-certified modular homes.
(2)
Compliance; Limited Waiver of
				  Compliance with Energy Specifications Table
State-certified modular homes must comply with the
					 provisions of this section. The executive director of the Board may waive
					 compliance with the Energy Specifications Table contained in Subchapter 2,
					 Section 10(1)(H)(6)(a) in the limited circumstances described in Subchapter 2,
					 Section 10(1)(H)(6)(k).
(3)
Materials and Equipment
Materials and equipment must be identified in a manner that
					 will allow a determination of their compliance with the provisions of this
					 chapter. Materials and equipment used to conform to the applicable provisions
					 of this chapter must be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's
					 installation instructions.
(4)
Identification
Materials, systems and equipment must allow a determination
					 of compliance with these codes and standards adopted.
(5)
Building Thermal Envelope
				  Insulation
The home manufacturer shall provide in the plans approved
					 by the Board, or by an approved inspection agency a listing of the minimum
					 R-value and/or U-value (as appropriate) of insulation installed or to be
					 installed by a licensee of the Board. Any insulation installed in the field by
					 a licensee of the Board must be installed in accordance with the installation
					 requirements of the insulation manufacturer. The home manufacturer shall
					 specify areas within the envelope of the home manufactured by it, that need to
					 be field insulated to meet code and what R-value and/or U-value (as
					 appropriate, if using field windows and doors) must be obtained.
(6)
Energy and Efficiency
				  Standards
a.
Energy
				  Specifications Table
The values listed in the Energy Specifications Table below
					 are minimum standards for State-certified modular homes (one and two family
					 homes and townhouses).
Energy Specifications Table
Minimum Insulation
R-Value1
Maximum Fenestration
for
Exterior Doors
U-Factor
Maximum Fenestration for
								Windows2
U-Factor
Maximum Fenestration for Skylights
U-Factor
Ceilings
Roof/Ceilings
Walls
Floors
Entrance
Specialty
R-38
R-38
R21
R-19
.35
.45
.35
.6
1  5 ½" of dense pack
					 cellulose meets the minimum insulation R-value requirements for walls.
2  The term "windows" includes
					 sidelights, octagonal, elliptical, transom, etc.
b.
Perimeter Space
For 2-story homes, the perimeter of the space between the
					 top of the second floor rim joists and the finished ceiling below must be
					 insulated to R-19.
c.
Unfinished Second Floors
Homes delivered with an unfinished second floor must be
					 insulated as described below:
i.
Stair enclosures
- The ceilings of the stair enclosures must be
				  insulated to R-30. The walls of stair enclosures must be insulated to
				  R-11.
ii.
Doors
- To
				  prevent heat loss into the unfinished space, doors within stair enclosures must
				  be either an exterior door or insulated by any means, including temporary
				  means, to R-19.
iii.
Ceilings
- The floor/ceiling assembly between the first and second
				  stories must be insulated to R-30, except that the ceiling area beginning at
				  the outside walls and extending to the knee walls must be insulated to
				  R-38.
d.
Basement
				  Stair Enclosures
Basement stair enclosures of homes with an unconditioned
					 basement must be insulated as described below:
i. The ceilings of the basement stair
				  enclosures must be insulated to R-19; and
ii. The walls of the basement stair
				  enclosures must be insulated to R-11.
e.
R-value Computation
The R-value of insulation materials used in layers, such as
					 framing cavity insulation and insulating sheathing, must be summed to compute
					 the component R-value. The (insulation) manufacturer's settled R-value must be
					 used for blown-in insulation. Computed R-values may not include an R-value for
					 other building materials or air films such as framing, drywall, structural
					 sheathing or exterior siding materials. Insulation separated from the
					 conditioned space by a vented space may not be counted towards the required
					 R-value.
f.
Exterior
				  Walls
Insulation in exterior walls must be placed so that the
					 entire cavity is insulated, including the space between the back of electrical
					 boxes and the exterior sheathing. Vapor retarders must be installed on the
					 interior side of frame walls.
g.
Air Leakage
The building thermal envelope must be durably sealed to
					 limit infiltration.
h.
Air Sealing and Insulation Demonstration of Compliance
The durable sealing of the building thermal envelope
					 required by Subchapter 2, Section 10(1)(H)(6)(g) is subject to verification if
					 deemed necessary by the Board's executive director.
i.
Draft Stop
Draft stop materials must be placed along the entire
					 perimeter of the connected modules.
j.
U-Factor
U-factors of fenestration products must be determined in
					 accordance with the National Fenestration Rating Council, Inc. (NFRC), NFRC
					 100-2010.
k.
Waiver
				  of Compliance with the Energy Specifications Table
i. A manufacturer may obtain a waiver of
				  compliance with the Energy Specifications Table contained in Subchapter 2,
				  Section 10(1)(H)(6)(a) by demonstrating to the executive director of the Board
				  that the design or construction of a dwelling makes it infeasible, as set forth
				  below, to apply one or more of the values contained in the Energy
				  Specifications Table. The waiver request must be made prior to acceptance of
				  the plans by the manufacturer's Board approved third-party inspection
				  agency.
ii. In determining
				  feasibility of compliance with the Energy Specifications Table, the executive
				  director of the Board shall consider as alternatives to a waiver the
				  manufacturer's ability to achieve compliance through alternative construction
				  techniques, use of different materials, or design change. The executive
				  director may also consider other relevant factors, including cost of compliance
				  with the Energy Specifications Table, although cost of compliance alone is not
				  a ground for obtaining a waiver. It is the intent of the Board that waivers be
				  granted sparingly.
iii. To receive
				  a waiver, a manufacturer must further demonstrate that the U-value of the
				  design for which the waiver was granted meets or exceeds the RES check target
				  value as calculated (using Climate Zone 6 for the entire State of Maine,
				  including Aroostook County) under the trade-off approach for the 2009 edition
				  of the International Code Council
International Energy Conservation
				  Code
(IECC). This demonstration must be made in the form of a RES
				  check compliance certificate signed by the Board-licensed manufacturer and the
				  inspection agency, with the supporting inspection checklist attached.
iv. The executive director's denial of a
				  waiver must be made in writing, must state the basis for the denial, and must
				  inform the manufacturer of the time and manner in which an appeal to the Board
				  may be taken pursuant to Subchapter 6.
v. RES check is available at no cost from the
				  U.S. Department of Energy at the following URL:
www.energycodes.gov/rescheck/
l.
Furnaces and
				  Boilers
Gas-fired or oil-fired furnaces and hot-water boilers rated
					 at less than 300,000 BTU/h must have a AFUE rating in accordance with the
					 United States Department of Energy (DOE) 10 CFR Part 430, Subpart B, Appendix
					 N, entitled "Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Energy Consumption of
					 Furnaces and Boilers" (February 2016).
I.
Ventilation Standard
State-certified modular homes must comply with the
					 provisions of this section.
(1)
Whole-house Ventilation
When a state certified manufactured home is factory
					 equipped with a central system to regulate the quality of indoor air, the
					 system must be operated according to the manufacturer's instructions and
					 equipment specifications.
(2)
Kitchen Exhaust
A cooking appliance must be equipped with a separate
					 ventilating fan/hood, independent of other ventilating systems, with a minimum
					 rating of 100 cubic feet per minute (CFM). This equipment must exhaust at the
					 outside of the home.
(3)
Bathroom Exhaust
Each bathroom with or without a tub or shower unit must be
					 equipped with a separate ventilating fan, independent of other ventilating
					 systems, with a minimum rating of 50 cubic feet per minute (CFM). The fan must
					 exhaust at the outside of the home and must be rated for sound at a maximum of
					 3 sone.
(4)
Clothes
				  Dryer
All clothes dryers must be vented directly to the outside.
					 A clothes dryer may not be vented into a chimney.
(5)
Combustion Air
Combustion air for a heating appliance must be drawn
					 directly from the outdoors. This paragraph does not apply to a gas fireplace,
					 provided that the manufacturer's instructions do not require that the gas
					 fireplace be provided with combustion air from the outdoors.
(6)
Back Draft
Each chimney used to vent a heating appliance must be draft
					 tested to ensure that no positive pressure is present in the chimney that would
					 allow products of combustion to enter the home. Consideration shall be given to
					 seasonal changes in draft.
J.
Radon Mitigation Preparation
				  Standard
(1)
Purpose and
				  Scope
The purpose of this standard is to provide a reasonable
					 code for manufacturer-installed vent piping and electrical supply boxes within
					 the envelope of a State-certified modular home to facilitate future, on-site
					 completion of the radon mitigation system should such a system be required
					 either by code or by the consumer. This standard sets forth design and
					 construction requirements relating to preparation for radon mitigation in
					 State-certified modular homes.
(2)
Compliance; Limited Waiver of
				  Compliance
State-certified modular homes must comply with the
					 provisions of this section. The executive director of the Board may waive
					 compliance with the radon standard contained in Subchapter 2, Section
					 10(1)(J)(4) in the limited circumstances described in Subchapter 2, Section
					 10(1)(J)(4)(i).
(3)
Materials and Equipment
Materials and equipment must be identified in a manner that
					 will allow a determination of their compliance with the provisions of this
					 subsection. Materials and equipment used to conform to the applicable
					 provisions of this chapter must be installed in accordance with the
					 manufacturer's installation instructions.
(4)
Radon Standard
a.
Entry Routes
Potential radon entry routes such as openings around
					 bathtubs, showers, water closets, pipes, wires or other objects that penetrate
					 the floor assemblies must be filled with a suitable sealant applied in
					 accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
b.
Vent Pipe
The manufacturer must install a 3-inch-minimum diameter
					 vent pipe up through the building floors at least 2 feet into the attic space
					 and capped below the roof. The vent pipe must be installed such that the pipe
					 can be extended by others at a later date and located at least 12 inches above
					 the roof in a location at least 10 feet away from any window or other opening
					 into the conditioned spaces of the building that is less than 2 feet below the
					 exhaust point and 10 feet from any window or other opening in adjoining or
					 adjacent buildings.
c.
Vent Pipe Drainage
All components of the 3-inch-minimum diameter vent pipe
					 installed by the manufacturer up through the building floors and capped below
					 the roof must provide for positive drainage.
d.
Vent Pipe Accessibility
Radon vent pipes must be accessible for future fan
					 installation through an attic or other area outside the habitable space. Any
					 accessible space reserved for the radon fan must occupy an imaginary cylinder,
					 standing on end, which is 24 inches or more in diameter, centered on the axis
					 of the vent pipe, and extending a minimum vertical distance of 3 feet.
Exception
:The radon vent pipe need not be
					 accessible in an attic space where an approved roof-top electrical supply is
					 provided for future use and where it is possible to mount the future fan above
					 the roof.
e.
Vent
				  Pipe Identification
All exposed and visible interior radon vent pipes must be
					 identified with at least one label on each floor and in accessible attics. The
					 label shall read: "Vent Piping for Future Radon Reduction System."
f.
Combination
				  Foundations
For homes designed to be placed on combination
					 basement/crawl space foundations, the manufacturer may, but is not required to,
					 install separate 3-inch-minimum diameter vent pipes for each type of foundation
					 area up through the building floors and capped below the roof.
g.
Power Source
To provide for future installation of an active
					 depressurization system, an electrical circuit terminated in an approved box
					 must be installed by the manufacturer in the attic or other anticipated
					 location of vent pipe fans. If the circuit is dedicated solely to vent pipe
					 fans, the manufacturer must install in the living space of the home a visual
					 indicator that the circuit is energized, or an alarm that the circuit is not
					 energized. If the circuit is not dedicated solely to vent pipe fans, future
					 installation of vent pipe fans must be taken into account when designing the
					 circuit.
h.
Testing
Vent pipes must be tested at the manufacturing facility for
					 tightness. Fully-assembled vent pipes must be field-tested by the dealer or
					 installer unless the vent pipes were tested in a fully-assembled state at the
					 manufacturing facility.
i.
Waiver of Compliance with the Radon Standard
i. A manufacturer may obtain a waiver of
				  compliance with the radon standard contained in this subsection by
				  demonstrating to the executive director of the Board that the design or
				  construction of a dwelling makes it infeasible, as set forth below, to install
				  piping and/or electrical supply boxes within the envelope of a State-certified
				  modular home to facilitate future, on-site completion of the radon mitigation
				  system should such a system be required by code or by the consumer. The waiver
				  request must be made prior to acceptance of the plans by the manufacturer's
				  Board approved third-party inspection agency.
ii. In determining feasibility of compliance
				  with the radon standard, the executive director shall consider as alternatives
				  to a waiver the manufacturer's ability to achieve compliance through
				  alternative construction techniques, use of different materials, or design
				  change. The executive director may also consider other relevant factors,
				  including cost of compliance, although cost of compliance alone is not a ground
				  for obtaining a waiver. It is the intent of the Board that waivers be granted
				  sparingly.
iii. The executive
				  director's denial of a waiver must be made in writing, must state the basis for
				  the denial, and must inform the manufacturer of the time and manner in which an
				  appeal to the Board may be taken pursuant to Subchapter 6.