Breaking ground and sprinkler systems

[Tanya]

Hi All,
I haven't posted here in quite a while, but I have been involved in the whole land/home package journey since spring. I'm happy to say we officially broke ground this week and our home (a Palm Harbor Augusta model) is due to be delivered on Wednesday! I have pictures on our photo website: http://friishill.tripod.com Click on Crystal Excavation. I'll try to add more pictures as the process continues. It's been an incredibly stressful, dramatic process, full of extreme roller-coaster highs and lows, although most of that was more about the land purchase than the home-buying process, (at least, it was, after we found the right dealer!) The people at the Chino Valley, AZ Palm Harbor dealership continue to be a wonderful, supportive, professional bunch, and I continue to give them my highest reccomendation! Hang in there, people, it's all about finding good people to work with. If you get a bad vibe from someone or some business, or feel like they don't have your best interests in mind, get out. It's not worth the trouble, in my humble opinion.
On a different topic, my husband and I were concerned about the remoteness of our location, and the distance from the nearest fire station. Then we were watching a home improvement show where they were installing a sprinkler system in a residential home. We just looked at each other and said "why didn't we think of that?" It's a little late for us to ask PH if they would install in the factory, but I know it's possible to retrofit after a home is built. Does anyone have any information about whether manufactured home companies ever allow these systems to be installed while the home is being built in the factory? Or do any of them offer it as an option? Anyone have experience with installing them in MHs after they are built?

[Rschmitt]

Here at my dealership nearly every home has firesprinklers installed at the factory as they are required by many local fire departments. It is not an inexpensive option. Sprinklers can be retrofit, but again it is expensive and you will be tearing apart the eaves and roof ridgeline to cross over with the plumbing. Additionally, your water pressure and storage system has to be upgraded to support the sprinklers.

I personally think that if you order a heavier roof (architectural grade) and Hardi-lap siding (which is class A fire rated) you would be better off. 5/8" Type X drywall would be great if available instead of 1/2". Remember, fire sprinklers only "protect" the interior spaces and only go off at 165 degrees by which time you would be suffocated by the smoke in most cases. So they only protect property unless it is an explosive type fire, anyway the property gets destroyed by water- take your poison. Spend your money on interconnected smoke detectors, quality appliances, and fire rated materials in my humble opinion.

[Tanya]

Thank you, that's good information. It's too late to change our order, we are getting hardi-lap siding, not sure about the architectural grade roof, or the Type X drywall. Where are you, that the firesprinklers are required?

[jgn]

I doubt you are getting or even could get fireboard drywall because it is quite expensive and homes are not designed for 5/8", it would require a lot of modifications to doors, windows and several other items. Good detectors placed throughout the house, good fire extinquishers in several locations and a good insurance policy are always a good idea.

[Rshmitt]

I am in Central California and some municipalities/ counties require sprinklers and some do not. As for 5/8" drywall, it is not that much more expensive material wise, although it is heavier so you need a sturdy home. Door jamb thickness would change and vinyl windows have three way wrap so there is no problem there. It is not that big a deal with a cooperative manufacturer.

[Tanya]

Our home was delivered yesterday evening. We are going out to see it in a couple of hours. How exciting! Believe what they tell you about delays in deliveries. Ours was originally scheduled to come on Wednesday and didn't come until Friday. Oh well, at least I was prepared for that. Will have pictures soon.