Industrialized Building Program

Georgia's Industrialized Buildings Program was established in 1976 with the purpose of establishing building construction standards for factory built housing. In 1982, the program was expanded by the General Assembly to include, in addition to housing, all business and commercial buildings that are mass-produced in factories and then transported to building sites to be installed (this may also include structures). Manufactured (mobile) homes are excluded from the program. Their regulation is the responsibility of the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Georgia's Industrialized Buildings program does not impact buildings constructed in the conventional manner. Such buildings, which account for the vast majority of new construction in Georgia, are regulated through construction codes adopted by the state and enforced by local governments. It should be noted also that the Industrialized Buildings program does not supersede zoning regulations administered by local governments.

Benefits of the Program

The program covers buildings or components that are of "closed construction" only, meaning that these buildings or components cannot be inspected at the installation site without disassembly, damage or destruction.

Regulating the construction of mass-produced (industrialized) buildings to ensure their safety and soundness presents problems beyond the normal scope of local building inspection regulation. Local regulation programs are generally designed to cover only structures that are conventionally built (piece-by-piece) at the construction site.

Industrialized Building Manufacturers also face unique problems. There is simply no satisfactory way for these manufacturers to have buildings inspected by every local building code enforcement authority that receives these buildings in its jurisdiction. The number of code interpretations and the cost of inspector transportation would preclude a viable factory inspection program by each local government.

The program provides a mechanism whereby local building inspection departments can be assured that quality buildings are being installed in their jurisdiction. It also provides a cost effective mechanism whereby manufactures can have their buildings inspected during the manufacturing process.

How the Program Operates

The program operates in accordance with rules that have been adopted by the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs under authority granted by the Industrialized Buildings Act.

Manufacturers are required to obtain state approval for their manufacturing systems and quality control procedures. Field inspection of these systems and procedures, along with inspection of industrialized buildings during manufacture, is accomplished by the department through an inspection system that utilizes independent private engineers and construction experts.

All state-approved industrialized buildings must be manufactured to meet the official Georgia State Construction Codes. Such buildings will have a department insignia indicating their compliance with the state's construction standards. An approved building is deemed to comply with all local ordinances and laws relating to its construction.

Local governments retain control over all matters relating to a building's installation at a site, including subdivision controls, zoning, grading, foundation installations and utility hook-ups.

Program Administration

The Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs has the overall responsibility for the administration and enforcement of the program. To assist in this responsibility, an eleven-member Advisory Committee, with representation from manufacturers, local government and the construction trades and professions, advises the Commissioner regarding the rules.

The Commissioner has assigned the day-to-day administration of the program to DCA's Community Development Division.