ASTM E541-22

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:E541 −22 An American National Standard
Standard Specification for
Agencies Engaged in System Analysis and Compliance
Assurance for Manufactured Building
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E541; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* 1.5 These criteria set forth the minimum personnel require-
mentsandthetechnicalandorganizationalproceduresrequired
1.1 This specification provides the criteria for the admin-
for building-evaluation agencies engaged in evaluating manu-
istrative agency that has regulatory authority as granted by the
factured building.
authority having jurisdiction AHJ to evaluate the capabilities
and qualifications of building evaluation agencies, that per- 1.6 Criteria are included for building-evaluation agencies
forms system analysis or compliance assurance or both for evaluating innovative as well as conventional building
certificationofmanufacturedbuildingonbehalfofanauthority systems, against applicable requirements.
having jurisdiction (AHJ) that meet the needs of regulatory
1.7 Building-evaluation agencies involved in testing, qual-
programs. Administrative agencies and building evaluation
ity assurance, and evaluating building components can be
agencies (third-party agencies) are the primary users of the
evaluated by using Specification E699.
standard.
1.7.1 Specification E699 is used in conjunction with Speci-
1.2 To establish an appropriate degree of intra- and inter- fication E541 and Practice E651. This specification defines the
state credibility regarding building system evaluations made minimum requirements for agencies engaged in inspections
through governmental or private agencies, the authorities and testing performance in accordance with ASTM standards
having jurisdiction should utilize an oversight and approval for factory-built building components and assemblies. The
process for the building-evaluation agencies that provide the criteria in this specification are provided for assessing the
services of system analysis or compliance assurance on behalf competence of an agency to properly perform designation
of the AHJ that may include: approval by the AHJ for both testing, quality assurance, and inspection.
oversightandorauditingoftheregulatorybody,orapprovalby
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
the AHJ and oversight, and or auditing by an independent
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
auditor for the regulatory body, or approval with the AHJ and
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
oversight, and auditing by an independent accreditation
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
agency.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.9 This international standard was developed in accor-
1.3 Building-evaluation agencies examined under this
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
specification may include governmental or private agencies or
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
both.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.4 Practice E651 may be used to support the evaluation of
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
building-evaluation agencies. Other criteria such as
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
independence, financial stability, and objectivity may need to
be considered.
2. Referenced Documents
NOTE 1—Practice E651 is intended as a companion standard to
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Specification E541 and includes questions that should be asked of system
E651/E651M Practice for Evaluating Capabilities of Agen-
analysisandcomplianceassuranceagenciesinorderfortheadministrative
agency to evaluate their competency. cies Involved in System Analysis and Compliance Assur-
ance for Manufactured Building
E699 SpecificationforAgenciesInvolvedinTesting,Quality
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E36 on
Accreditation & Certification and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
E36.70 on Agencies Performing Construction Inspection, Testing and Special
Inspection. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved June 1, 2022. Published August 2022. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1975. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as E541 – 10, which was Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
withdrawn in January 2019 and reinstated in June 2022. DOI: 10.1520/E0541-22. the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E541−22
Assurance, and Evaluating of Manufactured Building menting the RVI process within the production facility based
Components on the complexity and type of inspection.
3.1.9 compliance assurance manuals, n—a document em-
3. Terminology
ployed as part of the manufacturer’s compliance control
3.1 Definitions:
program for the purpose of periodic monitoring, surveillance,
3.1.1 administrative agency, n—an authority having juris-
or audit by the manufacturer and the compliance assurance
diction (AHJ) granted with regulatory authority to evaluate the
agency of the manufacturer’s production and product compli-
capabilities and qualifications of building-evaluation agencies.
ance programs.
3.1.2 agency, n—a building-evaluation agency acting on
3.1.10 compliance control manual, n—a document prepared
behalf of the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) in structural
by the manufacturer detailing the methods, procedures, and
analysis, compliance assurance, and certification of manufac-
systems employed in the compliance control program.
tured building.
3.1.11 compliance control program, n—the manufacturer’s
3.1.3 applicable requirements, n—the specific material and
system, including directly related quality and process controls,
performance specifications included in designated codes,
for assuring compliance with applicable codes and standards
standards, and approved documents. They may include special
and approved documents.
requirements adopted by the administrative agency or other
3.1.12 criteria, n—the minimum standards or limits on
jurisdictions.
which judgments may be based.
3.1.4 authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), n—an
organization, office, or individual responsible for enforcing the 3.1.13 innovative building systems, n—new concepts or
alternative materials, design, or method of construction.
requirementsofacodeorstandard,orforapprovingabuilding,
a building component, equipment, materials, an installation, or
3.1.14 manufactured building, n—any unit, components,
a procedure.
module, building, or manufactured home that are factory-built
3.1.4.1 Discussion—The authority having jurisdiction AHJ
off-site, using closed construction methods, for design,
maybeafederal,state,commonwealth,province,region,local,
fabrication, assembly, and installation on the building site.
territory, or other regional department or individual such as a
3.1.15 manufactured home, n—prior to 1976, a manufac-
fire chief; fire marshal; chief of a fire prevention bureau, labor
tured home was referred to as a mobile home.
department, or health department; building official; electrical
3.1.15.1 Discussion—A manufactured home means a struc-
inspector; or others having regulatory authority charged with
ture designed and constructed on or after July 15, 1976, to be
administering the legislation, act, or oversight.
used as a dwelling that is factory-built off-site to meet the
3.1.5 building component, n—a subsystem, subassembly, or
Federal Manufactured Home and Construction Safety
other system designed for use in or as part of a structure which
Standards, otherwise known as the “HUD Code.” The HUD
may include structural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and
Code is nationally recognized and preempts all state and local
fire protection systems, or any other system affecting health
building codes and is regulated by the US Department of
and safety.
Housing and Urban Development.
3.1.6 building-evaluation agency, n—a third-party agency
3.1.15.2 Discussion—A manufactured home can be trans-
that performs one or more of the building evaluation services
ported in one or more sections, which, in the traveling mode, is
of systems analysis or compliance assurance or both.
eight body feet or more in width, or 40 body feet or more in
3.1.7 closed construction, n—any building, building
length, or when erected on site, is 320 or more square feet and
assembly, or system manufactured in such a manner that
built on a permanent chassis.
concealed parts or processes of manufacture cannot be in-
3.1.16 open construction, n—any building, building
spected at the building site without disassembly, damage, or
assembly, or system manufactured in such a manner that all
destruction.
portions can be readily inspected at the building site without
3.1.8 compliance assurance, adj—the process of appraising
disassembly, damage, or destruction.
the manufacturer’s compliance control program in conjunction
3.1.17 service equivalent, n—the experience that an indi-
with monitoring or auditing and inspection of production,
vidual has accumulated in the engineering or arthitectural
implemented to provide objective evidence that the manufac-
discipline(s) involved that serves as a substitute for academic
tured building conforms to the approved documents.
requirements.Ingeneral,eightyearsofexperienceinengineer-
3.1.8.1 Discussion—In conventional construction, the com-
ingorarchitecturalpracticeindicativeofgrowthinengineering
pliance assurance function roughly corresponds to field inspec-
or architectural competency and responsibility are considered
tionofconstructiontoensurethatthebuildingisconstructedin
an alternative to the engineering or architectural education
accordance with the approved plans.
requirements.
3.1.8.2 Discussion—Remote video inspections at the discre-
3.1.18 system analysis, adj—the process employed to deter-
tion of theAHJ.The administrative agency may allow building
mine whether a proposed manufactured building conforms to
evaluation agencies to use remote video inspections (RVI)
applicable requirements.
procedures as long as the RVI procedures are comparable to
traditional in-plant inspection procedures. The RVI procedures 3.1.18.1 Discussion—In conventional construction, the sys-
shall be reviewed and approved by the AHJ prior to imple- tem analysis function roughly corresponds to plan review.
E541−22
3.1.19 third-party agency, n—a building-evaluation agency 6. General Procedure for System Analysis
that is independent of the manufacturer, the retailer, the
6.1 Task—To provide a description of the general proce-
installer, or any other person that has a monetary interest other
dures for system analysis, which includes as a minimum the
than the collection of the inspection fee that performs one or
activities described in 6.2.
more of the building-evaluation services of systems analysis
6.2 Requirements:
and compliance assurance on behalf of an authority having
6.2.1 Drawings, calculations, test reports and specifications
jurisdiction.
of manufactured building shall be reviewed by the agency’s
3.1.19.1 Discussion—Third-party agencies are also referred
engineering staff and details compared with provisions of
to as a design approval agency (DAA) and or a quality
applicable requirements. The construction of assemblies or
assurance agency (QAA). Third-party agencies are also re-
components, or both, including material identification, shall be
ferred to as DAPIAor IPIA. DAPIAstands for design approval
compared with published descriptions of listed, approved, or
primary inspection agency. The DAPIAperforms plan reviews
recognized designs where applicable.
of manufactured home construction & installation designs that
6.2.2 Where production has been instituted, and subsequent
meet the HUD code. Similarly to DAPIA, IPIA stands for
to the review of drawings and specifications, qualified person-
production inspection primary inspection. IPIA performs in-
nel from the system analysis agency (or compliance assurance
spections in the manufacturing plants and on certain homes at
agency) shall visit the factory of the producer of manufactured
the site. Both DAPIAand IPIAperform the tasks of a building
building to:
code official for homes designated as a manufactured home.
6.2.2.1 Compare the actual construction with the drawings
and specifications.
4. Requirements and Criteria for System Analysis
6.2.2.2 Examine and record all features required by the
Agencies
codes and standards if not included in the drawings and
4.1 The system analysis agency is responsible for determin-
specifications.
ing whether a building system, including the design, materials,
6.2.2.3 Evaluate all required production test methods to
and fabrication process, is in conformance with applicable
ascertain that the correct equipment, instruments, and proce-
requirements. The agency shall be capable of performing the
dures are followed and to determine that the building,
following steps, where applicable, in the system analysis
assembly, or subassembly is capable of meeting the test
function:
requirements.
4.1.1 Project management,
6.2.2.4 Discuss items of noncompliance with the manufac-
4.1.2 Preliminary meeting,
turer’s representative, identify the source of the requirement,
4.1.3 Submission of documents,
and explain the requirement.
4.1.4 Staffing,
6.2.3 Thesystemanalysisagencyshallissueawrittenreport
4.1.5 Evaluation of prescribed systems,
to the manufacturer confirming all items of noncompliance
from the applicable requirements and summarizing the steps
4.1.6 Evaluation of performance specifications,
needed to proceed with the system analysis.
4.1.7 Evaluation of innovative systems,
6.2.4 The system analysis agency shall verify that all items
4.1.8 Evaluation of compliance assurance manuals,
of noncompliance are corrected by the manufacturer.
4.1.9 Evaluation of installation documents, and
6.2.5 Thesystemanalysisagencyshallprepareafinalreport
4.1.10 Factory visit (this may be included in compliance
describing the manufactured building, confirming the tests
assurance function).
performed, stating the basis for judgment of acceptability of
assemblies and components, and itemizing the edition of the
5. Documents of the System Analysis Function
codes or standards against which the building was evaluated.
5.1 The criteria herein are based on the following basic
6.3 Criteria—The system analysis agency shall be prepared
documents:
to provide sample documentation to establish that its proce-
5.1.1 Product description document.
dures accomplish the intent of the requirements of 6.2. Such
5.1.2 Compliance assurance manual.
documentation shall include examples of data sheets or other
5.1.3 Installation document.
forms used to analyze construction and equipment, preliminary
5.2 The first and third documents are prepared by the reports, final reports, and compliance assurance manuals pre-
pared for producers of manufactured building.
manufacturer and submitted for processing through the system
analysis agency.
7. System Analysis Project Manager
5.3 The manufacturer’s compliance control program is sub-
7.1 Task—To provide the services of a project manager in
mitted for review by the compliance assurance agency. This
the system analysis function, including the following:
program forms the basis for preparation of, and is incorporated
into, a compliance assurance manual containing a description 7.1.1 Convening and Conducting the Preliminary
Meeting—For the purpose of familiarizing the manufacturer
of the building, required production tests, compliance
procedures, and any other information that is needed to guide with the system analysis function, and with the submittal.
and assist the compliance assurance agency in determining that 7.1.2 Assisting in Preparation of a Plan for Submittal—To
production units continue to comply with requirements. establish the scope of the submission and evaluation effort.
E541−22
7.1.3 Determining the Need for Submission of Performance 8.1.2.1 Knowledge of Codes and Standards—Knowledge of
Data—Assessing the extent of innovation involved in the the applicable codes and standards, including geographic
submission in terms of identifying any part of the proposed requirements for various load conditions.
product that is beyond the scope of ordinary systems. 8.1.2.2 Knowledge of Engineering—Understanding of con-
ventional engineering principles and practices.
7.1.4 Staffıng the System Analysis Function—Selecting the
8.1.2.3 Ability to Interpret Drawings—Ability to read and
appropriate team to undertake the system analysis, consisting
interpret drawings for code compliance, completeness, and
of in-house staff and consultants.
coordination with calculations.
7.1.5 MonitoringProgressofSystemAnalysisActivities—To
8.1.2.4 Analytical Ability—Ability to evaluate calculations
keep it on schedule and performing effectively.
for compliance with applicable codes and standards.
7.2 Requirements:
8.1.2.5 Ability to Evaluate Reports—Ability to evaluate test
7.2.1 General Expertise in Building Systems—Experience
reports for validity and compliance with applicable require-
andfamiliaritywiththestate-of-the-artofnewdevelopmentsin
ments.
building products and in the building process.
8.1.2.6 Knowledge of the System Analysis Process—
7.2.2 Knowledge of the System Analysis Function—
Understanding and appreciation of the system analysis func-
Thorough understanding of the system analysis agency (of
tion.
which he is a part) as well as all details of the system analysis
8.2 Structural:
function procedure.
8.2.1 Task—To assess the structural aspects of the submis-
7.2.3 Knowledge of Performance Specifications—
sion against the applicable requirements for compliance.
Familiarity with performance-based evaluation of building
8.2.2 Criteria:
systems.
8.2.2.1 Education—A bachelor’s degree in engineering or
7.2.4 Analytical Ability—The ability to analyze a problem
architecture with specialized course work in structures, or
and determine all the resources necessary for its solution.
service equivalent.
7.2.5 Practical Knowledge of Building— An understanding
8.2.2.2 Experience—One year of structural engineering ex-
of the practical aspects of the manufactured building process
perience related to buildings.
from several points of view (that is, owner, builder, design
8.3 Mechanical:
professional, etc.).
8.3.1 Task—To assess the mechanical aspects of the submis-
7.2.6 Management Ability—The capability of managing an
sion against the applicable requirements for sufficiency.
interdisciplinary team of professionals, including work assign-
8.3.2 Criteria:
ment and scheduling.
8.3.2.1 Education—A bachelor’s degree in engineering or
7.3 Criteria:
architecturewithspecializedcourseworkinHVACsystems,or
7.3.1 Education—Bachelor’s degree in engineering or
service equivalent.
architecture, or service equivalent.
8.3.2.2 Experience—One year of mechanical engineering
7.3.2 Experience—Four years of plan examination, design, experience related to buildings.
construction,manufacturingbuildingcomponentevaluation,or
8.4 Electrical:
manufacturing experience in the building industry. A master’s
8.4.1 Task—To assess the electrical aspects of the submis-
degree in a related field of study may be substituted for one
sion against the applicable requirements for compliance.
yearoftherequiredfouryears’experience.Itisnotasubstitute
8.4.2 Criteria:
for any of the types of experience listed above.
8.4.2.1 Education—A bachelor’s degree in engineering or
7.3.3 Professional Competence—Registration as a profes-
architecture with specialized course work in electrical
sional engineer or architect.
engineering, or service equivalent.
8.4.2.2 Experience—One year of electrica
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