Thread: seismic support?

Is this some form of seismic strapping/tie down for a manufactured? I tried to google and came up with nothing.

DSCN5595.jpgDSCN5596.jpgDSCN5597.jpg

I found this after a few clicks. Looks like one company bought another one, and it was several years ago.
FoundationWorks - Formation of FoundationWorks

.......it's one of the "newer" type of tie-down systems used in lieu of traditional strapping. Like those made by Oliver Technologies and Minuteman Systems they employ the principles of opposing forces to direct windloads down to the foundation/ground. They are a lot less work to install and are supposedly effective. The key, however, is that they must be specifically approved by the home manufacturer in order to be considered code compliant. And to be approved, the system needs to be named, by specific brand, in the installation manual or have a letter from the manufacturer stating such........Greg.

In addition to what Jack Found after a few clicks, I found these:
- http://www.foundationworksinc.com/te...ad_psi_psc.pdf
- CCB Business Detail for License: 135803
- Trademark247.com - Company Profile - MAGNUM FOUNDATION SYSTEMS, INC. - COTTAGE GROVE

- - - Updated - - -

Originally Posted by Gregory Booth

.......it's one of the "newer" type of tie-down systems used in lieu of traditional strapping. Like those made by Oliver Technologies and Minuteman Systems they employ the principles of opposing forces to direct windloads down to the foundation/ground. They are a lot less work to install and are supposedly effective. The key, however, is that they must be specifically approved by the home manufacturer in order to be considered code compliant. And to be approved, the system needs to be named, by specific brand, in the installation manual or have a letter from the manufacturer stating such........Greg.

Or, in most states, have an engineer design the tie-down/support system and they specify the product - a signed and sealed engineering letter typically trumps all as they now assume full liability for the design ... ah the power of that signed and sealed letter from a PE ... (not always a good thing).

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

In addition to what Jack Found after a few clicks, I found these:
- http://www.foundationworksinc.com/te...ad_psi_psc.pdf
- CCB Business Detail for License: 135803
- Trademark247.com - Company Profile - MAGNUM FOUNDATION SYSTEMS, INC. - COTTAGE GROVE

- - - Updated - - -



Or, in most states, have an engineer design the tie-down/support system and they specify the product - a signed and sealed engineering letter typically trumps all as they now assume full liability for the design ... ah the power of that signed and sealed letter from a PE ... (not always a good thing).

........the manufacturers installation instructions trump all - and this is a manufactured home.
Now your field designed and stamped system may satisfy the local CEO (but should not, 'cause he knows it's what the mfg. says that counts), wait 'till the owner tries to access his factory warranty for issues. If it's not in the installation manual, you better have the factory approval letter stapled to that PE's letter..........Greg

Originally Posted by Gregory Booth

........the manufacturers installation instructions trump all - and this is a manufactured home.
Now your field designed and stamped system may satisfy the local CEO (but should not, 'cause he knows it's what the mfg. says that counts), wait 'till the owner tries to access his factory warranty for issues. If it's not in the installation manual, you better have the factory approval letter stapled to that PE's letter..........Greg

I suspect that if a manufacturer went to deny a warranty claim and tried to use a signed and sealed engineer's foundation system letter as the reason for denial, if the owner sued the manufacturer ... the manufacturer would likely lose in court and have to cover the warranty and the attorneys' fees for both parties.

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

I suspect that if a manufacturer went to deny a warranty claim and tried to use a signed and sealed engineer's foundation system letter as the reason for denial, if the owner sued the manufacturer ... the manufacturer would likely lose in court and have to cover the warranty and the attorneys' fees for both parties.

............you may suspect so but you'd be surprised - in any event, you make a good point because we all know it's a lot easier to have to sue the dealer, go to court, argue the case, and hope for a positive outcome than it would be to have the manufacturer "sign-off" up front.

Originally Posted by Gregory Booth

... have the manufacturer "sign-off" up front.

And the manufacturer would likely have their engineer review the other engineer's letter and, if the manufacturer's engineer agrees with the letter, the manufacturer would likely accept the alternate supporting*and anchoring system ... unless the issue was directly tied to lack of support - then the other engineer's insurance would be called on to kick in and cover the issue.

And if there was a difference of opinion between the two engineers and between the manufacturer and the insurance company - they would settle that difference between themselves or in court.

The pier is designed and tested to carry a maximum vertical and horizontal load, like all other specialized manufactured home systems. Engineering calculations would have to be done to determine if the rated load capacity will withstand the vertical and horizontal forces (Dead Load, Live Load, Wind or Seismic). Each building site will have unique soil, wind and seismic requirements from a design stand point.

The document at the following link http://www.foundationworksinc.com/te...ad_psi_psc.pdf shows how this pier was tested and designed. The first few pages is the load test performed by an engineering testing lab, which produced the load capacity of their pier. The rest of the document is a generic foundation layout using the pier an engineer developed based on a generic soil load of 1000 psf, wind load of 80 MPH (Exposure C), 30 psf roof load, 40 psf floor load and seismic loading for zone 4. Other notes basically state if your location does not meet the design criteria on this foundation plan sheet then hire your own engineer to determine the spacing requirements.