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DAPIA Monitoring

Monitoring the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Design Approval Primary Inspection Agencies

IBTS reviews a portion of the designs that have been approved by third party design agencies, as well as assisting HUD in evaluating the performance of Design Approval Primary Inspection Agencies (DAPIAs). The DAPIAs approve manufactured home designs for compliance with the Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards. IBTS visits the headquarters of these agencies to perform periodic audits and to make recommendations to HUD on his findings. They also maintain an imaging system to input and retrieve hundreds of thousands of design documents received annually. In addition, the IBTS maintains a system to input and retrieve technical correspondence on the standards and their enforcement.

Brief Outline of Services Provided

  • Reviews samples of DAPIA-approved designs for conformance to Standards
  • Visits DAPIA headquarters
  • Generates yearly reports regarding DAPIA performance to HUD
  • Coordinates with other contractors
  • Maintains an electronic library of DAPIA-approved designs. (For more information on e-DAPIA, click here.)
  • Coordinates special construction approvals
  • Conducts special investigations and evaluates new or disputed issues
  • Evaluates new or disputed design issues, new technologies, products and designs
  • Responds to inquiries
  • Attends DAPIA and industry meetings
  • Provides administrative support to the PTA Committee
  • Provides technical support at DAPIA administrative hearings or other legal proceedings
  • Analyzes and develops draft papers on new technical issues
  • Provides editorial services