Alabama Toughens Inspections for Mobile Home Installers

Mobile home transporters and installers must follow codes when delivering and installing the factory-built homes in Alabama or possibly face jail time.

A recent statewide crackdown and increased number of mobile home inspections aims to verify factory-built-home installers are doing their job properly — and with a license.

The Legislature this year approved a law that calls for “100 percent inspection of every factory home used for human habitation, installed in the state since July 1, 2009,” according to the Mississippi Department of Insurance.

The transport and installations code has been in place for years, but the new law ensures stricter enforcement, State Chief Deputy Fire Marshal Ricky Davis said.

In October and November, 11 people were arrested across the state for installing factory-built homes without a license, which are issued trough the fire marshal’s office.

The Mississippi Fire Marshal’s Office filed the charges and local law enforcement helped make arrests in Bolivar, Claiborne, Jackson, Panola, Prentiss, Quitman, Washington and Wayne counties.

Davis said 27 fire marshal deputies have been trained since August to perform the statewide inspections, as opposed to only six deputies that performed the inspections before August.

The purpose of increased site inspections is to protect consumers, Davis said.

“(Inspections) make sure the site is put up correctly and that (the home is) tied down properly, so consumers can have a safe home that can last them a long time,” Davis said.

Davis said factory-built homes are often made to last a lifetime, but faulty installation can limit the structure’s life span.

“Its very important that these homes are set up safely and according got manufactory standards,” Davis said.

Inspectors will consult manufacturers manuals to verify if the site fits the standards of the mobile home being placed on it, Davis said.

Other inspection items include verification that a drainage system, a vapor barrier and smoke detectors are installed and that the proper amount of anchors hold down the home, for example.

Larry Parker is the owner of Diamond A Transporters, a factory-built home transport and installation company in Natchez, and he said stricter enforcement of transport and installation code is good news for business and consumers.

“It’s a good way to ensure the job done correctly,” Parker said.

Parker said consumers should verify that whoever they hire to move and set up their home is licensed, especially when accepting the lowest bid.

Parker said those who think his prices are high should understand his company must follow strict codes.

If a mobile home fails an inspection, the company who transported or installed the home has 30 days to fix the problem or be will forced to pay fines, Parker said.

Parker said he has seen some mobile home sites in bad shape.

“Years ago, I have seen some people have a mobile home run raw sewage over the side (of the home) instead of septic system,” Parker said.

More inspections should help clean up similar messes, Parker said.

Davis when new mobile homes are purchased from retailers or when site applications are filled out, his office is indicated and inspections are scheduled accordingly.

“It has (reached) a point where people cannot get electricity unless the fire marshal inspects (their home),” Parker said.

“It protects the people,” he said.