Commercial Modular Buildings

All industrialized commercial buildings and building components must be certified under this program to be placed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This program mirrors the residential program.

*Note: Only commercial buildings or building components intended for sale, lease, or installed for use in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will be approved under this certification program. Buildings or building components not initially shipped to Pennsylvania, may be permitted by the local authority having jurisdiction.

What are “Commercial Modular Buildings”?

Modular buildings are wholly or mostly made, constructed, fabricated or assembled in manufacturing facilities. These structures are then shipped to the destination site for assembly and installation. Modular buildings do not include “manufactured homes” (formerly referred to as “mobile homes”).

Although modular structures are primarily designed for residential use, called Group R construction, there are instances in which the buildings are used for commercial purposes. This program is designed to address those structures that are intended for other than residential uses.

Approved Manufacturers

DCED has issued the Pennsylvania Notice of Approval to each of the listed manufacturers of industrialized housing, housing components, industrialized buildings or building components that indicates the approval of the manufacturer’s building systems documentation, compliance assurance program and the authority to receive and attach insignias of certification.

This list identifies the limitations of each manufacturers approval, (residential, commercial or both) as noted on the Notice of Approval.

What is DCED’s role regarding commercial modular buildings?

The PA Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) regulations establish a program for modular buildings “Industrialized” that are intended to be used for non-residential purposes. Every modular building and building component constructed for placement in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will be certified and bear the Pennsylvania Insignia of Certification (shown below), as well as the insignia of the inspection agency that evaluates and approves the designs, facilities, construction techniques, materials and quality assurance program used in each facility.

 

 

The third-party agencies that perform the plan evaluations and inspections in the factories, maintain certifications under the International Code Council, similar to local code officials.

Although modular buildings are built to comply with the model building codes and are exempt from the PA UCC, building code officials make important contributions to the effective administration of the program. In addition to their oversight in terms of site preparation, foundation construction and utility connections, building code officials shall assist the Department by conducting site inspections of modular buildings and components at the time of installation for apparent damage occurring during transportation and other apparent non-conformity.

Third-Party Agencies for Evaluations and Inspections

Third-Party Agencies currently under contract with DCED to perform evaluations and inspections of commercial buildings and building components: