Announcing An I-Code Amendment To Appendix AQ Tiny House With An ASTM Standard

Appendix AQ Tiny House Will Finally Get Wheels!

Appendix Q Tiny Houses was the initial crowning achievement for the tiny house industry that finally brought the consumers, the building officials, and manufacturers together with the beginning stage for uniformity in the tiny house industry. More than half the nation has adopted either Appendix Q Tiny House or Appendix AQ Tiny Houses which was the 2021 IRC edition which applies to tiny houses on a foundation.

What has been missing is the crucial components on how to construct a tiny house on wheels.

Andrew Morrison, Martin Hammer, And David Eisenberg Where The Main Authors
Of Appendix Q Tiny House

Photo Courtesy: Andrew And Gabriella’s Tiny Home

ICC Did Not Allow Tiny Homes On Wheels In The Initial Proposal Of Appendix Q Tiny House That Was Approved For Inclusion To The 2018 IRC.

From Andrew Morrison, Co-Author Of Appendix Q Tiny House

I had to make some last minute changes to the proposed code language to remove the word “moveable” from my original proposal entitled “Movable Tiny Houses.” Unfortunately, the head of the ICC code approval process said that he would not accept the proposal as written because he believed it was what they call in the industry a “hijack” of the original proposal.

After many conversations and emails with the official, I decided to amend the proposal so that he would allow it to move forward. After all, when he said “if you keep the moveable details in there, I will throw the whole thing out” it became crystal clear what my options were.

Source Washington Tiny House Association: So What Exactly Is Tiny House Appendix Q

Photo Courtesy: Decathlon Tiny Homes Penelope

New Standard Being Developed At ASTM

Structure Attachment

Floor Systems

Chassis Systems

Anchoring Systems

Foundations

Enter ASTM- We have been developing a standard that will put the wheels under Appendix AQ Tiny House. ( The 2024 IRC refers The Tiny House code as Appendix BB Tiny Houses. We are covering the structural attachment, the floor systems, chassis systems, and anchoring and foundation systems. The standard will also include commentary for road regulations, including NHTSA, and DOT requirements. We are aiming to complete the ASTM standard, have it approved and submit the standard as an I-Code amendment to Appendix AQ Tiny House.

About The New ASTM Standard

We have a small working group that is dividing the various subjects to put pen to paper, so we can get a basic draft for input and collaboration. We spent many months in discussion to decide the direction of the standard.
As soon as we get back what they are writing and can formulate a draft, we want to invite everyone for their input.

And participation.

I am hoping no later than a month or less.

Robin Butler, with NOAH is creating drawings ( the term is figures for ASTM ) for the different methods for the floor systems. I think he has 4 or 5 methods. He is meeting with all the trailer manufacturers, because there are so many different methods the manufacturers have and we have felt it was important to offer options.

What is exciting is we have code inspectors and technical code and standards writers experienced in both the ICC and ASTM process, and the I-Code process.

Randy Shackelford, who is the Manager of Codes and Compliance for Simpson Ties and manages the ICC code development for Simpson Ties, is a part of our work group, and was also on our call the other night.

He has also offered to help with the I-Code proposal as well.

Randy writes for Structural Engineering

Significant Changes to the Wind Load Provisions of ASCE 7-22

We hired structural engineer William Coulborne, P.E., F. ASCE, F. SEI to develop the tables for dead and live load calculations, which cost us 10K. It took us about 7 months to find him. We interviewed over 30 engineers.

Special thanks to NOAH, Tiny House Alliance USA, Boxabl, and canibuild for contributing to the cost of the engineer.

Please Join Us!

We have extended an invitation to the Tiny Home Industry Association, and anyone that wants to get involved. We only have about 7 months to finish writing the standard, have it approved, and submit a draft by January 2025 for the 2027 IRC as an I-Code amendment to Appendix AQ Tiny House as an ASTM referenced standard.

An I-Code Change Compliments The Work Of ICC 1215

A I-Code for Appendix AQ Tiny House compliments the work of the new standard for tiny houses that is being developed at both ICC and ASTM.

The ASTM Tiny Houses subcommittee is open to all and every voice matters. Please Join Us!
First You Join ASTM
Join E06 Performance Of Buildings Committee
Join E06.26 Tiny Houses Subcommitee
Learn More About ASTM Membership
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