A tiny home on wheels is a structure mounted on a chassis intended for occupation. Certification insures that the structure is built to one of two applicable codes, in this case either the ANSI A119.5 (the code for Recreational Park Trailers) or NFPA 1192 (The code for Recreational Vehicles).
Why are NFPA and ANSI Standards Certifications Important for Tiny Home Owners?
What is a Certified Tiny Home on Wheels (THOW)?
Why should my Tiny Home be Certified?
Some insurance companies will not provide a policy to a structure, moving or otherwise, that is not built to a recognized code. Certification is a step towards both safety, and the ability to insure and finance this type of product. Many RV Parks and campgrounds throughout the United States and Canada require that your Tiny Home have the proper RV Certification Label before entering the facility. The state of California requires every Tiny Home On Wheels (RV/RPT), to be certified by an accredited certifying body to ANSI and NFPA codes by law.
1.1 Scope. This standard shall cover fire and life safety criteria for recreational vehicles. A.1.1 Those members of the engineering profession and others associated with the design, manufacturing, and inspection of recreational vehicles have been aware of the need for uniform technical standards leading to the proper use of this special type of equipment. They also have recognized that, because of conditions of transport, size, and use, existing standards for motor vehicles or permanent buildings are not completely applicable to recreational vehicles. It is with these factors in mind that this standard has been developed. Much of the material in this standard has been taken from or is based on nationally recognized standards for fire and life safety. (Visit Reference Website)
Selling Your Tiny Home:
A NFPA and ANSI Standards Certified Tiny Home is easier to sell because the potential buyer has confidence that your Tiny Homes meets all of the RV Industry Code Standards.
A trailer type unit that is primarily designed to provide temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel or seasonal use, that meets the following criteria:
1) Built on a single chassis mounted on wheels.
2) Having a gross trailer area not exceeding 400 square feet (37.15 sq. m.) in the setup mode.
3) Certified by the manufacturer as complying with ANSI A119.5.
Recreational Park Trailers are most often used in recreational vehicle campgrounds. They may be owned by the campground and rented to guests, although many are brought in and used exclusively by their owners on a site rented or leased from the campground. These units are used for recreational purposes only. They are not meant to be permanently affixed to the property, they do not improve property values in any way, and they are neither designed nor intended by their manufacturers to be used as permanent residences. Recreational park trailers are titled and licensed as motor vehicles by the various states.
Each manufacturer member of RVIA who meets the requirements of the Standards Inspection Program is granted the right and privilege to display the appropriate RVIA Standards Seal. The seal is an external recognition of the manufacturer’s commitment to maintain compliance to the adopted Standards. (View RVIA RPT Standards and Inspection Program Overview)