Section 870.10   Definitions

 

For purposes of this Part, the following terms have the meanings ascribed in this Section.

 

"Accessory structure" means a structure such as a shed, garage, carport, deck or porch on a manufactured home site.

 

"Anchor" means any device used for securing the manufactured home to the foundation system or ground.

 

"Anchoring equipment" means bolts, straps, cables, turnbuckles, and chains, including tensioning devices, that are used with ties to secure a manufactured home to ground anchors or the foundation system.

 

"Anchoring system" means any method used for securing the manufactured home to a foundation system or the ground.

 

"Department" means the Illinois Department of Public Health. [430 ILCS 117/10]

 

"Footing" means that portion of the support system that transmits loads directly to the soil.

 

"Foundation system" is a support system that transfers design loads into the underlying ground.  Examples of acceptable foundation systems include, but are not limited to, a floating support system consisting of concrete runners under each frame I-beam, or a concrete pad that extends beneath the entire home and is at least 3½" thick, or individual footing designed to support the home.

 

"Frost depth" means the depth of frost penetration into the soil.

 

"Frost heave" is an uplift of ground or pavement caused by freezing of moist soil.

 

"Ground anchor" means any device at the manufactured home installation site designed to transfer manufactured home anchoring loads to the ground.

 

"Independent testing laboratory" is an organization that:

 

Primarily is interested in testing and evaluating equipment; and

 

Is qualified and equipped to conduct and evaluate experimental testing in accordance with approved standards; and

 

Makes available a published report in which specific information is included stating that the equipment and installations have been tested and found safe for use in a specific manner; and

 

Is not under the jurisdiction or control of any manufacturer or supplier of any industry.

 

"Installation" means assembly, at the site of occupancy, of all portions of the manufactured home, connection of the manufactured home to utilities, and installation of support and anchoring systems.

 

"Installation certificate of compliance" means the certificate provided by the Department that is completed by the licensed manufactured home installer, which certifies that the manufactured home installation complies with this Part.

 

"Installation instructions" means those instructions provided by the manufacturer detailing the manufacturer's requirements for supports, anchoring system attachments and utility connections.

 

"Installation seal" means a sticker issued by the Department to a licensed manufactured home installer to be displayed on the manufactured home to indicate compliance with the Department's rules pertaining to manufactured home installation.

 

"Installers Act" means the Illinois Manufactured Home Installers Act [430 ILCS 120].

 

"Length of manufactured home" is the distance from the exterior of the front wall (nearest to the drawbar and coupling mechanism) to the exterior of the rear wall (at the opposite end of the home) where such walls enclose living or other interior space and such distance includes expandable rooms but not bay windows, porches, drawbars, couplings, hitches, or other attachments.

 

"Licensed manufactured home installer" means a person who has successfully completed a manufactured home installation course approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health, paid the license fee and been issued a current license. [430 ILCS 117/10]

 

"Manufactured home" is synonymous with "mobile home" and means a structure that is a factory-assembled, completely integrated structure designed for permanent habitation, with a permanent chassis and so constructed as to permit its transport, on wheels temporarily or permanently attached to its frame, from the place of its construction to the location, or subsequent locations, at which it is placed on a support system for use as a permanent habitation, and designed and situated so as to permit its occupancy as a dwelling place for one or more persons; provided, that any such structure resting wholly on a permanent foundation, as defined in this Part, shall not be construed as a mobile home or manufactured home.  The term "manufactured home" includes manufactured homes constructed after June 30, 1976 in accordance with the federal National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 and does not include an immobilized mobile home as defined in Section 2.10 of the Mobile Home Park Act. [430 ILCS 117/10]

 

"Manufacturer" means a manufacturer of a manufactured home whether the manufacturer is located within or outside the State of Illinois. [430 ILCS 117/10]

 

"Minimum frost depth" means 35 inches, except in those areas where local ordinance establishes a different frost depth.

 

"On-site" means the physical presence of the licensed manufactured home installer at the installation site of a manufactured home.

 

"Permanent foundation" is a continuous perimeter foundation of material, such as mortared concrete block, mortared brick, or concrete, that extends into the ground below the established frost depth and to which the home is secured with foundation bolts at least one-half inch in diameter, spaced at intervals of no more than 6 feet and within one foot of the corners, and embedded at least 7 inches into concrete foundations or 15 inches into block foundations. [430 ILCS 117/10]

 

"Piers" means that portion of the support system between the footing and the manufactured home, exclusive of shims.  Types of piers include concrete blocks,  manufactured steel stands, and manufactured concrete stands.

 

"Site" is a parcel of land for the accommodation of a manufactured home.

 

"Stabilizing device" means a device or provision made to minimize the deflection or slicing through the soil by a ground anchor rod at ground level.

 

"Support system" means a combination of footings, piers and shims designed to support the home when properly installed.

 

"Tie" means a strap, cable, or securing device used to connect the manufactured home to the anchors.

 

"Tiedown Act" means the Illinois Mobile Home Tiedown Act [210 ILCS 120].

 

"Tiedown manufacturer" is any person or business engaged in the manufacturing of tiedown equipment that is offered for sale or use in this State.

 

"Training hour" means at least 50 minutes of actual teaching, including time devoted to lecture, learning activities, small group activities, demonstrations, evaluations and/or practical, hands-on instruction.

 

Section 870.20  Incorporated and Referenced Materials

 

a)         The following standards and regulations are incorporated in this Part:

 

1)         Regulations of federal agencies:

 

A)        United States Department of Transportation, Office of Pipeline Safety

400 7^th Street, S.W.

Washington, DC  20590

 

Transportation of Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline:  Minimum Federal Safety Standards (49 CFR 192; October 1, 2021)

 

B)         United States Department of Housing and Urban Development

451 N. 7^th Street

Washington, DC  20410

 

Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards (24 CFR 3280; April 1, 2004)

 

2)         Standards of a nationally or internationally recognized organization:

 

A)        National Fire Protection Association

1 Batterymarch Park

P.O. Box 9101

Quincy, MA  02269-9101

 

i)          National Electrical Code, 2017 Edition (NFPA 70)

 

ii)         Standards for the Installation of Oil Burning Equipment, 2020 Edition (NFPA 31)

 

iii)        National Fuel Gas Code, 2021 Edition (NFPA 54-21)

 

iv)        Standard for the Storage and Handling of Liquified Petroleum Gases, 1998 Edition (NFPA 58-98)

 

B)        American Wood-Preservers' Association

P.O. Box 5690

Granbury, TX  76049

 

AWPA C22-03 Standard: Lumber and Plywood for Permanent Wood Foundations – Preservative Treatment by Pressure Processes (2003)

 

C)        American Society for Testing and Materials

100 Barr Harbor Drive

West Conshohocken, PA  19428

 

i)          ASTM A 254-97 Standard Specification for Copper-Braized Steel Tubing (2002)

 

ii)         ASTM C 90-03 Standard Specification for Load-Bearing Concrete Masonry Units (2003)

 

iii)        ASTM D 2513-04A Standard Specification for Thermoplastic Gas Pressure Pipe, Tubing and Fittings (2003)

 

iv)        ASTM D 3953-91 Standard Specification for Strapping, Flat Steel and Seals (2003)

 

b)         All incorporations by reference of federal regulations and the standards of nationally recognized organizations refer to the regulations and standards on the date specified and do not include any additions or deletions subsequent to the date specified.

 

c)         The following standards, regulations and laws are referenced in this Part:

 

1)         Rules of the Illinois Department of Public Health:

 

A)        Manufactured Home Community Code (77 Ill. Adm. Code 860)

 

B)        Illinois Plumbing Code (77 Ill. Adm. Code 890)

 

C)        Plumbers Licensing Code (68 Ill. Adm. Code 750)

 

D)        Plumbing Contractor Registration Code (77 Ill. Adm. Code 894)

 

2)         State of Illinois statutes:

 

A)        Mobile Home Park Act [210 ILCS 115]

 

B)        Illinois Mobile Home Tiedown Act [210 ILCS 120]

 

C)        Illinois Plumbing License Law [225 ILCS 320]

 

D)        Manufactured Home Quality Assurance Act [430 ILCS 117]

 

E)        Illinois Manufactured Home Installers Act [430 ILCS 120]

 

(Source:  Amended at 47 Ill. Reg. 5231, effective March 21, 2023)

 

Section 870.30  Accreditation of Manufactured Home Installer Course

 

a)         An entity that offers or plans to offer a manufactured home installer course shall obtain Department accreditation for the course by submitting to the Department in writing the following information at least 60 days before the beginning of the course:

 

1)         The name, address and telephone number, and the name of a contact person, for the entity providing the course.

 

2)         The course location and written documentation that the course provides facilities of sufficient size to accommodate the maximum enrollment of the course for classroom and hands-on field training.

 

3)         Beginning and ending dates for the course.

 

4)         A course schedule and syllabus.

 

5)         Student and instructor manuals for the course.

 

6)         Documentation of a principal instructor who shall be responsible for the organization of the course and oversight of the teaching of all course material.  Guest instructors may be utilized as needed to provide instruction specific to the lecture, hands-on activities, or work practice components of a course.  The principal instructor shall have the following qualifications:

 

A)        at least two years of post high school education in building construction technology; or

 

B)        two years of experience in managing a training program specializing in the installation of manufactured homes.

 

7)         A final examination for the course that includes criteria for pass/fail.  The course must require at least 70% correct on the final examination as a passing score.

 

8)         An example of the certificate of course completion that includes the following information:

 

A)        the name, address, and telephone number of the entity providing the course;

 

B)        the name, dates of attendance at course, and indication of pass/fail for the student to whom the certificate is issued.

 

b)         The Department shall provide written notice via certified mail to the course sponsor whether the request for accreditation has been approved.

 

c)         For requests that are not approved, the Department's notification will include the reason for disapproval and notice that the course sponsor shall have 10 days to submit a written request for an administrative hearing to contest the Department's decision.  In lieu of a request for hearing, the course sponsor may submit a revised request for accreditation in which items noted to be incomplete in the initial request are completed.

 

d)         The Department shall maintain and make available to the public a list of approved course sponsors.

 

Section 870.40  Responsibilities of Entities Offering Accredited Manufactured Home Installer Courses

 

a)         The entity offering an accredited training course shall be responsible for maintaining training course records and making such records available to the Department as necessary.

 

1)         Course records shall be retained at the address specified on the approved training program accreditation application for a minimum of 3 years.

 

2)         The entity shall notify the Department in writing within 30 days after changing the address specified on the training course accreditation application or transferring records to a new address.

 

3)         The Department shall have the authority to enter, inspect and audit training facilities and to examine records to determine compliance with the Act and this Part.

 

b)         Training course records that shall be maintained include the following:

 

1)         All documents that demonstrate the qualifications of the principal instructor, as specified in Section 870.30(a)(6).

 

2)         Current curriculum/course materials and documents reflecting any changes made to these materials.

 

3)         A copy of the course final examination.

 

4)         Results of the course final examination and a record of each certified installer's course completion.

 

5)         Any other materials specified in Section 870.30 that have been submitted to the Department as part of the program approval.

 

c)         Entities offering accredited courses shall submit to the Department a list of installers completing a course within 30 days after course completion.

 

Section 870.50  Requirements for Accredited Manufactured Home Installer Course Curriculum

 

Each accredited manufactured home installer course shall provide in class or online instruction on how to install a manufactured home to the specifications of the manufacturer, review Subpart D of this Part for homes without manufacturer specifications, and test the written and practical installation skills of the individual installer (Section 15 of the Installers Act).  Each course shall consist of at least 10 training hours that include the following topics:

 

a)         The installer's responsibility to obtain a copy of the home manufacturer's setup manual to ensure proper setup of the home in accordance with the home's warranty.

 

b)         The inspection of the proposed site of the home prior to setup to ensure proper location.

 

c)         Ensuring that the proposed site has drainage away from the home, vegetation cleared from under the home, and vapor barriers provided.

 

d)         Support of the home by a foundation system in accordance with the design loads of the home, the existing soil load bearing capacity of the home location, the Illinois Mobile Home Park Act, the Manufactured Home Community Code (77 Ill. Adm. Code 860), and local authority requirements.

 

e)         Safety considerations for the setup of a home.

 

f)         Proper leveling of the home and placement of piers or foundation walls in accordance with the home manufacturer's specifications.

 

g)         Proper anchoring in accordance with the Tiedown Act and Subpart E of this Part.

 

h)         The installation of the plumbing for the home in accordance with the Illinois Plumbing License Law and the Illinois Plumbing Code.

 

i)          The installation of the electrical system for the home in compliance with the National Electrical Code.

 

j)          The installation of the gas or oil utilities for the home in compliance with the requirements of the Installation of Oil Burning Equipment, National Fuel Gas Code Standard for the Storage and Handling of Liquified Petroleum Gas Code, and the Transportation of Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline:  Minimum Federal Safety Standards.

 

(Source:  Amended at 47 Ill. Reg. 5231, effective March 21, 2023)

 

Section 870.55   Reciprocity

 

The Department may grant approval of a training program of another state that is determined to be equivalent to the requirements of Subpart B of this Part.  Individuals must obtain an Illinois license.  Installers who have completed a training course that has reciprocity with Illinois must also obtain an Illinois license, but need not complete an examination.

 

Section 870.60  Revocation of Accreditation

 

The Department shall provide written notice via certified mail to the course sponsor of its decision to revoke, for a period not exceeding 6 months, the course sponsor's accreditation.  The course sponsor shall have 10 days to submit a written request for an administrative hearing to contest the Department's decision.  The Department's decision to revoke a course sponsor's accreditation shall be based upon a course sponsor's violation of the Manufactured Home Quality Assurance Act or this Part. Notice and opportunity for an administrative hearing shall conform to the provisions of Section 870.240.

 

(Source:  Amended at 47 Ill. Reg. 5231, effective March 21, 2023)

 

Section 870.65   Requirements for Manufactured Home Installers License

 

a)         To qualify for a license as a manufactured home installer, an applicant shall meet the following requirements:

 

1)         Be at least 18 years of age;

 

2)         Complete a Department-approved manufactured home installer course and pass the examination administered at the conclusion of the course, or complete a course offered by another state that has been granted reciprocal approval in accordance with Section 870.55;

 

3)         Submit the completed application form provided by the Department;

 

4)         Submit a 1 inch by 1 inch head and shoulder current photo of the license applicant;

 

5)         Submit the required license application fee of $150.

 

b)         A licensed manufactured home installer must provide proof of licensure at the installation site when requested by a Department representative.

 

c)         A licensed manufactured home installer is not exempt from the requirements of the Illinois Plumbing License Law.

 

Section 870.70  Continuing Education

 

Effective March 1, 2023, the licensed manufactured home installers who also hold a current Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) installer's license must accumulate 3 hours of Illinois specific training approved by the Department on or before the date their HUD continuing education training is due after January 1, 2025 (HUD License Renewal Date). Licensed manufactured home installers without a current HUD license must accumulate 3 hours of Illinois specific training every three years of licensure staring January 1, 2024.  The Illinois specific training is required to be eligible for license renewal. Continuing education training must comply with Sections 870.30 and 870.40 with the exception that an exam is not required.

 

(Source:  Amended at 47 Ill. Reg. 5231, effective March 21, 2023)

 

Section 870.80   Installation Seals and Compliance Certificates

 

a)         The licensed installer who installs the support system for each home must purchase from the Department installation seals and installation compliance certificates for all homes to be installed in Illinois after December 31, 2001.  A $25 check or money order payable to the Illinois Department of Public Health shall be submitted to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health, 525 West Jefferson, Springfield, Illinois 62761.  Multiple seals and certificates of compliance may be purchased.  The seals and compliance certificates may be purchased only by a licensed installer.

 

b)         Location of Seal.  The installation seal must be placed directly above the HUD label upon completion of the installation of the home by the installer responsible for the support system for the home.  In the event there is no HUD label on the home, the seal shall be placed where the HUD label would normally be.  When a home with an installation seal is relocated, the original installation seal shall be removed or covered with the new installation seal.

 

c)         Installation Compliance Certificate

 

1)         The licensed manufactured home installer shall complete the installation compliance certificate within 30 days after the date of the installation.  The installer shall mail copies of the completed certificate, via certified mail, to:  the Department, the dealer, the homeowner, and the owner/operator of the licensed manufactured home community, if the home is installed in a community.

 

2)         The installation compliance certificate shall contain the following information:

 

A)        Name and address of the licensed installer.

 

B)        Installer's license number.

 

C)        Name of manufacturer.

 

D)        Manufacturer's serial number.

 

E)        Home owner's name and address, if available.

 

F)         Installation date.

 

G)        Number of the installation seal that was affixed to the home.

 

d)         Lost or Damaged Installation Seals or Compliance Certificates.  If a seal or compliance certificate becomes lost or damaged, the Department shall immediately be notified in writing by the installer.  If possible, the assigned number shall be indicated.  All damaged seals or compliance certificates or those unused from an installer who ceases business in Illinois shall be returned to the Department.  No refund will be granted.

 

e)         Partially Completed Compliance Certificates.  The licensed installer shall be responsible for completing as much information on the compliance certificates as is known prior to submitting the form to the Department, dealer and homeowner.

 

Section 870.90  Requirements for the Installation of Manufactured Homes

 

a)         All manufactured homes installed after December 31, 2001 shall be installed under the on-site supervision of a licensed manufactured home installer. [430 ILCS 117/25]  The licensed installer shall provide sufficient on-site supervision to ensure quality installation as required by the manufacturer's specifications or, in the absence of the instructions provided by the manufacturer, this Part.

 

b)         Homes installed on a permanent foundation are not required to be installed by a licensed manufactured home installer.

 

c)         All homes shall comply with the anchoring requirements contained in Subpart E of this Part.

 

d)         The requirements of Sections 870.110 through 870.170 shall apply to homes installed where the instructions are not available.

 

e)         Nothing in this Part shall preclude local ordinances, including but not limited to zoning, building codes, or other ordinances not affecting installation standards or other exclusive State powers or functions under Section 60 of the Manufactured Home Quality Assurance Act.

 

f)         The home manufacturer data plate specifies the design criteria of the homes.  For homes that do not have a data plate, the installation shall be designed for a roof live load design of 20 pounds per square foot.

 

Section 870.100  Site Location

 

a)         The portion of the lot used for the placement of the manufactured home must be firm, undisturbed soil or compacted fill.  The soil must be tested for its load-bearing capacity and graded to prevent surface water or drainage from accumulating under the home.  For sites constructed after July 1, 2005, the ground must be sloped a minimum of ½ inch per foot for at least 6 feet from the perimeter of the home.  Impervious surfaces such as concrete and asphalt in this area shall be sloped away from the home at least one inch per 6 feet.

 

b)         All decayable material, such as grass, twigs, and wood scraps, shall be removed from under the home.  Shrubs and overhanging branches that will impede installation in accordance with this Part shall be removed.

 

c)         A minimum 6-mil visqueen vapor barrier, secured and extending to the dimensions of the home, must be placed on the ground underneath the manufactured home before the perimeter enclosure is installed, unless the home is placed on a poured concrete slab.

 

d)         When gutters and downspouts are installed, the discharge shall be directed away from the home.

 

Section 870.110   Support Systems

 

Each manufactured home shall be installed on a support system capable of supporting a total of 80 pounds per square foot.

 

a)         Footings.  Footings must be placed on level, firm, undisturbed soil or compacted or controlled fill that is free of grass and organic materials, compacted to a minimum load bearing capacity of 2,000 pounds per square foot.  Pre-owned homes for which the manufacturer of the home is no longer in business or for which the installation instructions are not available may be placed on an existing footing system if the system meets the requirements of this Section.

 

1)         Area.  The area in square inches of the footings is based on the width of the home, the roof design loads, the soil load-bearing capacity and the intended spacing of the piers.  (See 870.Tables A-G.) 

 

2)         Types.  Footings may consist of the following:

 

A)        Individual pier footings consisting of precast or poured-in-place individual pier footing concrete at least 3½ inches thick with a 28-day compressive strength of 3,000 pounds per square inch.

 

B)        Concrete runners a minimum of 3½ inches thick under each I-beam or perpendicular to the I-beams at no more than 8 foot intervals.

 

C)        Concrete pads a minimum of 3½ inches thick the approximate dimension of the home.

 

D)        Pressure treated wood having a 0.60 retention in accordance with the AWPA C22-03 Standard.

 

E)        Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) footing pads in accordance with pad manufacturer installation instructions and listed for the required load capacity and type of installation.  Support devices and piers must not overlap the footings.

 

F)         A support system approved by a licensed professional engineer. 

 

b)         Piers.  Piers or load-bearing supports or devices shall be designed and constructed to transmit the vertical live and dead loads to the foundation below.  In order to properly support the home, the piers must be of the proper type, size, location and spacing.  Piers shall be installed directly under the main frames of the home.  Piers shall be no more than two feet from each end of the frame and adequately spaced. (See 870.Tables A-G.)  Piers may be concrete blocks or adjustable metal or concrete devices approved and listed for the required load capacities.  Load bearing supports or devices shall be listed and labeled, or shall be designed by a licensed professional engineer in Illinois, and shall be approved for the use intended, prior to installation.

 

1)         Types.  Non-mortared concrete blocks conforming to ASTM C 90-96 Type N with a nominal size of 8 inches by 8 inches by 16 inches shall be installed with the 16 inch dimension perpendicular to the main frame (I-beam), the open cells vertical, stacked level.  A 2 or 4 inch thick 8 inch by 16 inch solid concrete cap block that conforms to ASTM C 90-96 Type N shall be placed on the top of each stack.  The vertical load shall not exceed 8,000 pounds per single stack and 14,000 pounds for a double stack.  The blocks must be stacked on a solid base pad in accordance with the soil bearing capacity.  As many as 2 wood plates not exceeding 3 inches in combined thickness and 2 shims not exceeding 1 inch total thickness must be used to fill any gap between the concrete cap and main frame.  Hardwood shims must be a minimum of 3 inches wide and 6 inches long fitted tight between cap or wood plate and main frame.

 

2)         Clearance and Height.  A minimum clearance of 12 inches must be provided between the ground and the bottom of the frame.  If piers exceed 36 inches in height, they shall be double blocked.  If the height exceeds 80 inches, the pier must be double blocked and mortared with rebar.  If the home is placed in an area subject to flooding, a licensed professional engineer in Illinois shall design a support and anchoring system that will resist flood forces.  The Federal Emergency Management Agency has information that may assist in the design.

 

3)         Load-Bearing Openings.  In addition to the piers under the main I-beams of the home, piers must be placed under openings in the perimeter walls and center-mating wall openings greater than 4 feet. (See 870.Tables E-G.)

 

4)         Elevated Manufactured Homes.  When more than ¼ of the area of a home is installed so that the bottom of the main frame is more than 7 feet above ground level, the home support system shall be designed by a licensed professional engineer in Illinois and installation shall be approved by the Department prior to the installation.

 

Section 870.120   Structural Connections, Sealing and Patching

 

a)         Structural Connections.  Multi-section manufactured homes must be secured to immobilize each section, allow for the transfer of required loads, and protect interior and enclosed spaces. (See 870.Table H, Multi-Section Fastening Schedule.)

 

b)         Sealing.  During installation, joints between all multi-section homes must be cleaned and shimmed where the gap exceeds ½ inch top or bottom, then sealed with a weather-stripping gasket material to limit heat loss and prevent air, moisture and other damaging infiltration.  The gasket material must be durable, non-porous caulking, closed cell foam, urethane or sill seal.  Caulking, if used, must be capable of compressing and stretching.  Sill seal, if used, must be a  minimum of 5½ inches wide and attached with fasteners staggered at 6 inches on center.

 

c)         Patching.  All cuts, holes or tears in the bottom board or floor insulation, including areas around structural connections and plumbing, mechanical and heating equipment penetrations, must be adequately repaired to help prevent the entrance of rodents, to limit heat loss and to prevent air, moisture and other damaging infiltration.

 

Section 870.130   Electrical Hookup of Manufactured Homes 

 

All electrical distribution and services must comply with the National Electrical Code in existence at the time of the installation of the electrical service.  The electrical service site supply must be a minimum of 100 amperes and rated for the capacity of the home.