CODE OF PRACTICE DECLARATION
The manufacturer must confirm on each registration to the best of their knowledge that the following requirements have and will continue to be met for Manufacturing, Transporting, Siting, Commissioning and preparation of Lodge Bases.
- Manufacturing requirements
- The Manufacturer is responsible for providing high quality Lodges which are free of major Defects and which have been designed and built using techniques and materials which are fit for purpose.
- All Lodges must be built to and comply with the requirements of BS3632 .
- Transporting requirements
- Storage
- The Manufacturer must ensure that all Lodges are stored at all times on firm ground and properly supported in line and level whilst awaiting collection.
- Lodges must not be stored on wheels alone.
- The tyres of the Lodges must be inflated at all times to the correct pressure.
- The Manufacturer or Park Owner must ensure that the Lodge is adequately supported at all times during transportation until the Lodge is permanently sited.
- Notification to the haulier
- The Manufacturer or Park Owner is responsible for supplying the following information to the person undertaking the transporting of the Lodge:
- maximum length, width and height, including projections such as eaves, gutters, bay windows, flues and roof hips;
- approximate gross weight of the Lodge;
- whether the Lodge is a single or twin unit and the number of axles per chassis;
- any information regarding access to the Lodge site (including telephone contact number);
- a copy of the Transporting and Siting Best Practice Guide to ensure compliance is met.
- The Manufacturer is responsible for supplying a list of major contents and clearly marked boxes to enable inspection from wherever practicable, outside the Lodge.
- The Manufacturer or Park Owner is responsible for supplying the following information to the person undertaking the transporting of the Lodge:
- Storage
- Inspecting, loading, supporting, anchoring and despatch inspection
- Inspection
- Prior to loading, The Manufacturer and the haulier must satisfy themselves that the Lodge is in satisfactory condition, undamaged and complete according to the list of contents.
- Loading and unloading
- All loading or unloading of the Lodge should be mechanically controlled at all times. Industry recognised safe loading and unloading techniques must be used at all times.
- The haulier should unload the Lodge in a position with safe access and with firm, level ground wherever possible.
- Supporting and securing
- When loaded, the Lodge should be jacked up, strapped / chained blocked and supported on the appropriate jacking points through its length (where braced chassis is used this should be under the vertical braced points). In such cases where specific jacking point cannot be used, the Lodge should be supported to the manufacturer’s satisfaction. The rear of the home must not be supported in excess of 2 metres.
- The axles or chassis should be blocked to ensure no weight is taken by the wheels.
- The trailer must be of sufficient length to capture the supporting points of the home.
- Any damage to the top coat of the chassis must be made good to chassis manufacturer’s recommendations to validate warranty.
- Inspection
- Haulage
- Once the Lodge has been loaded, the haulier will be responsible for contacting the Park Owner to advise the likely time of arrival and make every effort to notify the Park Owner of any significant delays.
- The Manufacturer and the Park Owner must be satisfied that the haulier has adequate insurance cover for the transportation of the home.
- Siting
- Delivery Inspection
- The Park Owner is responsible for carrying out a full external inspection of the Lodge when it arrives at its permanent site, in the presence of the haulier, to ensure no external Damage has been incurred during transport.
- Any damage caused by the manufacturer’s sourced haulier should be logged on the haulier documents prior to a signature, this signature confirms the condition of the home. A copy of the delivery document with damages noted should be retained by the Park Owner or distributor, failure to follow this procedure results in the Park Owner or distributor taking ownership of the damage and costs potentially incurred.
- A full internal inspection must be made by the Park Owner within three working days of delivery of the Lodge and all interested parties notified of problems without delay.
- Delivery Inspection
- Movement on the Lodge site
- A suitable weighted and powered siting vehicle must only be used, particular consideration as to terrain,
- gradient and accessibility management and movement is vitally important to maintain manufacture warranty. Tyres must be correctly inflated and the Lodge must be moved with a suitable vehicle.
- Tyres must be correctly inflated and the home must be moved with a suitable vehicle as can easily damage through neglect of incorrect manoeuvring
- Suitable tracking should always be used when moving the Lodge on soft or unsurfaced areas. Care should be taken to avoid damaging underside pipes and cables.
- During movement the following steps must be adhered to. Soft negotiation of ramps, curbs and sleeping policeman to ensure the home is not subjected to large shock loadings which will result in stress and chassis distortion. Graded blocks of wood must be used to create soft ramps.
- Display/Storage
- Lodges should always be adequately supported when stored in display areas, in storage or elsewhere until finally sited and raised off the wheels in accordance with the Code of Practice.
- Siting of the Home
- Preparation of the Base
- The Lodge site mains services should be properly laid to the Base in a workmanlike manner using suitable materials and labour.
- Special attention should be taken on parks where trees could be a problem. Roots may Damage concrete Bases, roads, drains and other services. Consideration must be given to other subsoil conditions.
- A hardcore Base to a minimum depth of 150mm, well consolidated and topped with 100mm of concrete to EN 206-1 with a complementary British Standard BS8500 Parts 1 and 2 for concrete. It is recommended to reinforce the concrete with mesh reinforcement to BS4483 with either A393 (heavy gauge) or A142 Mesh with the addition of Fibre for-reinforced concrete (FRC) shall be used.
- The finished raft must be generally level with due allowance for surface drainage.
- Where the ground conditions so require, thickening or the introduction of reinforcement of the raft, should be taken into account.
- The dimensions of the Base raft shall not be less than the external dimensions of the Lodge, and the Lodge must sit squarely on the concrete base.
- Previously Occupied Base
- Where a Lodge is to be sited on a previously occupied Base, the Base must comply with the specifications in ‘Siting of Home, Preparation of the Base’ above.
- The Park Owner must be willing to state that in his opinion the Base will remain in a satisfactory condition for the period of the warranty granted to the Lodge under the Platinum Seal Scheme and is free from visible signs of deterioration.
- Any Damage caused to the Lodge as a result of failure of the Base it is sited upon is not insured by the Platinum Seal Scheme.
- Any extension to the Base must comply with ‘Siting of Home, Preparation of the Base’ above.
- Preparation of the Base
- Siting the Lodge
- The Manufacturers printed instructions must be studied and taken into account when siting the Lodge.
- Approved axle stands supplied and approved by The Manufacturer and must be placed at the critical point loads marked on the chassis by a yellow label. Intermediate supports must be used where necessary to achieve a line and level unit.
- When sited, the Lodge should be raised and axles blocked with a suitable load bearing block (preferably high load bearing 7N concrete blocks adjacent to each wheel allowing wheels to be clear of the concrete Base. 18mm shims of non-bio gradable product, fit for purpose, must be used, (supplied by others) for final adjustment placed on the block. It is advisable to use a felt membrane between the blocks and shims.
- The Lodge must be level, using an appropriate quality level and specific datum points must be adhered to across the width, length and vertical position.
- All doors (internal and external) should be checked for clearance and aligned or adjusted if necessary, by using the metal chassis supports.
- Jacking must be done only from the specified jacking points or below the axle, never from the timber structure.
- An alignment check will be carried out by the Manufacturer’s technician at the point of PDI (Post Delivery Inspection).
- On Lodges sites subject to strong prevailing winds, it may be prudent to anchor the chassis to the concrete Base via the holding down points.
- An internal visual inspection is recommended to ensure no heavy handling of the unit has resulted in dislodged furniture or fixtures.
- Commissioning
- Commissioning Schedule
- The manufacturer will supply a commissioning schedule for each Lodge. This will include details of all tasks to be undertaken during final commissioning. This schedule should be used and retained by the Park Owner.
- Plumbing and Water Bylaws
- Grey, domestic foul and surface water on the home site should be connected to the park system in a proper and workmanlike manner, by a competent person, supported and insulated pipe work at regular intervals as necessary.
- When connecting the Lodge, ensure that all relevant Water Bylaws are complied with. Particular attention should be paid to the insulation of the rising main. The water provider will be able to give guidance on Bylaw compliance.
- The mains supply must be fitted with a compliant stop valve, when the connection is complete. The water tested and visually inspected for leaks.
- The home should be water tested and visually inspected for leaks and pressure tested to 1.5 times the working pressure for 60 minutes and the foul pressure test should be tested to 37 m/bar for 5 minutes.
- All compression and push fit joints are correctly fitted at point of production
- Central heating systems should be flushed and commissioned in accordance with the Manufacturer’s appliance instructions.
- Gas Supply
- The Park Owner is responsible for ensuring that a Gas Safe/OFTEC registered engineer checks and commissions all gas appliances (both those supplied with the home and any additional appliances). Encased bottled gas needs the appropriate ventilation as required by the current gas safety regulations.
- Oil fired/solid fuel fired heating systems.
- Oil fired/solid fuel fired heating systems should be commissioned by a qualified OFTEC engineer.
- Electricity Supply
- The Manufacturer is responsible for ensuring that the wiring installation in the Lodge complies with the current British Standards and that a certificate to this effect is supplied with the Lodge.
- The Park Owner will employ an approved contractor (as a member of NICEIC/ELECSA or a member of the Electrical Contractors Association) shall ensure that the supply to the home is safe and satisfactory before connecting and carrying out site work.
- Smoke Alarms and carbon monoxide alarm
- The Park Owner is responsible for ensuring that the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are fitted properly and in working order.
- Flues/Cowls
- Visual inspection of flues and terminals should be carried out on delivery by the Park Owner. All open flued appliances should pass the smoke spillage test. Flue extensions must be fitted to comply with Manufacturer’s instructions.
- Ventilation
- Park Owners should check to ensure that all the fixed ventilators are clear, clean and unobstructed.
- Fire notices
- Permanent notices giving simple fire prevention advice and setting out the action to be taken in the event of a fire must be fixed inside the Lodge where readily seen.
- Users Handbook
- The manufacturer must provide a user handbook which should be kept in the Lodge.
- Commissioning Schedule
- Skirting The Lodge
- Settlement Period
- Before skirting is carried out it is recommended that the Park Owner should allow a period of time for any settlement to take place, usually 4 weeks. This will not only permit easy readjustment of the home but prevent doors and window frames from being fixed out of alignment. The level of the home should be checked and all external surface water (downpipes) joints be inspected for leaks.
- Skirting Details
- Regardless of material used, a consistent air gap must be provided and maintained all around the top of the skirting. Skirting must be properly ventilated and built in a manner to prevent damp penetrating the home and also be built clear of any chassis steel work to allow access to any water drain cocks.
- A minimum 25mm gap between the top of the skirt and the home should be maintained to achieve an uninterrupted 25mm air flow externally. This space must also remain open at all times.
- Skirting must be set back a minimum 25mm from the lowest part of the Lodge.
- Ventilator grilles (150s.cms. approx.) should be positioned in skirting at points relative to each room. For Lodges with LPG, grilles should be as low as possible, and for natural gas, grilles should be as high as possible.
- In cases where a brick/stone-built wall is used it is recommended that it incorporates a damp membrane at 150mm from the ground.
- Sufficient access hatches should be provided for inspection and maintenance, providing adequate access to the underside of the Lodge and each side of the axle.
- Settlement Period
- Maintenance
- Maintenance information included within the manufacturers handbook, supplied with the home, must be adhered to by the Owner.
- The Park Owner must ensure that the handbook is passed to the Owner for which they should obtain a signed receipt.
- Skirting
- In accordance with the insurer’s Code Of Practice on transportation, siting, commissioning and maintenance of Lodges, a continual air gap must be maintained between the underside of the home and the top of the skirting wall of no less than 25mm. Air vents in the skirting wall must be kept clear at all times to ensure the free flow of air.
- Exterior Walls
- Exterior walls must be recoated with a suitable colour wash within two-years of date of manufacture, this excludes ‘Maintenance-Free Exterior’. Attention should be paid to the weather rail where it meets the building and around the windows and doors. Thereafter a recoat must be applied every two years. The exterior walls must be regularly examined for hairline cracks due to the natural shrinkage of a timber build. Any such cracks must be filled with a suitable exterior filler before painting.
- Doors and Windows (UPVC or Timber)
- Re-painting or re-staining must take place within the first two years with appropriate quality paint or stain and thereafter a re-coat every three years, taking note of mastic joints and sealant around these windows and doors making good or replacing any defects.
- Roof
- An annual inspection must be undertaken to check the roof/ridge tiles or the roof covering have not been displaced or damaged. The mastic seals behind the fascias around the chimney flashings must also be inspected annually and renewed if signs of shrinkage or cracking are apparent. Similarly any joint on the roofing material should be inspected and, if necessary, re-sealed with a roofing adhesive.
- Gutters and Down Pipes
- Gutters and down pipes must be kept clear of dead leaves and debris.
- Air Vents
- The air vents around the home have been fitted in accordance with BS3632 and must be kept open and free at all times for the essential safety of the occupants and the good condition of the home.
- Chassis
- Should any serious rusting appear on the steel chassis it is essential that the surface is cleaned and treated with anti-corrosive paint. At no time should any adjustment be made to the jack or corner steadies without professional advice.
- Evidence of Maintenance
- All maintenance referred to in the following sections: Exterior Walls, Timber Doors and Windows, Roof & Chassis, must be recorded by retaining all receipts throughout the duration of the period of the warranty scheme as evidence of the maintenance taking place, in the event of a claim. Receipts must be VAT receipts and the work must be completed by an approved/authorised skilled tradesperson. Failure to provide evidence of the scheduled work having taken place in line with the manufacturer’s and insurer requirements may result in your claim being rejected and your warranty being invalid.
- All mandatory maintenance requirements will have been carried out in-line with insurer’s maintenance requirements as detailed within the warranty agreement (copy available upon request).
- Periods of non-occupation
- If the Lodge is unoccupied for a period of more than 3 consecutive months or left unoccupied for a period of more than 3 months before its first occupation, written assurances from the previous owner or the Park Owner that the Maintenance obligations detailed above, have been complied with.