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NFPA Report Affirms Manufactured Homes Do Not Pose Significant Fire Risk

(Arlington, VA - October 27, 2011) - Last week, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) testified before a federal advisory committee that occupants of manufactured homes are no more likely to die from a fire in their home than occupants of other single family homes.

During the Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee (MHCC) meeting, the NFPA testified on its report, Manufactured Home Fires which concludes that the fire death rate for homes built to the federal Manufactured Home Construction Standards is comparable to other single family homes. NFPA announced that it published a correction to its July, 2011 report, saying that the number of deaths from fires per 1,000 manufactured homes is 2.4 percent not 13.3 percent and is within the range (2.3 - 2.6 percent) estimated for other single family homes. In addition, the report concludes that the rate of fire injury and the incidents of fires for manufactured home occupants is less than for occupants of other single family homes.

"This report concludes what the industry and our customers have known all along. Manufactured homes are built with consumer safety considerations first and foremost, and manufactured homes are built to high quality, stringent standards to keep customers safe," said MHI President Thayer Long.

MHCC members also heard from industry representatives, including a third party inspection agency and several state regulators, that the current fire safety standards for manufactured homes are more stringent than for site built homes constructed to the International Residential Code (IRC). Flame spread, egress, and smoke detector requirements are three examples.

The MHCC is authorized by the U.S. Congress to provide the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with recommendations regarding manufactured housing construction standards and related regulations, and is composed of 21 voting members representing manufacturers and retailers, consumers, organizations with general interests in manufactured housing, and public officials.

Source - Manufactured Housing Institute

Manufactured Homeowner Satisfaction in Alabama

A study conducted by Southeast Research, Inc., Montgomery, Alabama

The principle of this study was to conduct an image assessment of manufactured housing among owners of manufactured homes and to assess the level of customer satisfaction among manufactured homeowners in Alabama.

The study is based on 400 heads-of-households who have purchased a manufactured home in Alabama within the past three years.

The study concluded the following:

*Eight out of ten manufactured homeowners in Alabama are satisfied with their home

*84% of manufactured homeowners have a high degree of pride with ownership of their homes.

*99% of manufactured homeowners use the home as their primary residence.

*92% of manufactured homeowners in Alabama described their home as a safe place to live.

*Seven out of ten manufactured homeowners in Alabama described their home as a good value for their investment.

*92% of manufactured homeowners in Alabama described their home as being attractive.

Another conclusion drawn from this survey was that two-thirds of homeowners contacted for this survey owned a home prior to purchasing their manufactured home. Also, one-third of the purchasers of manufactured homes in Alabama were paying rent prior to making their recent housing choice.

The overall conclusion drawn from this study is that customers purchasing manufactured homes are satisfied with the home they purchased. They also have a great deal of pride with respect to the purchase of their home.

Data sources: Southeast Research, Inc., Montgomery, Alabama

This material may not be reproduced in any form without consent and final editorial of the Alabama Manufactured Housing Association. Violators will be subject to legal action.

Moving A Manufactured Home?

Alabama State Law requires your mobile or manufactured home be moved and installed by a licensed, trained installer. This is for your safety, in order to ensure the correct installation.

The Alabama Manufactured Housing Commission trains and licenses certified installers. To see if your installer is licensed or for a list of installers, you can contact the AMHC at (334) 242-4036, or go to their website at www.amhc.state.al.us.

Owning your own home

It's the ultimate American dream. In fact, buying a home is probably the most important purchase you'll make in your lifetime.

As housing costs continue to climb, home ownership is simply beyond the financial reach of a growing number of Americans. Increasingly, the need for more affordable and efficient homes is being met by today's manufactured homes. Manufactured Housing offers all the qualities and amenities you want at a price you can afford.

If you have any additional questions or would like to see how beautifully manufactured homes can fit your lifestyle, find out more here about homeownership or visit a local Alabama Manufactured Housing Association retailer.