STANDARDS PROGRAM

     This document provides a description of RPTIA's A119.5 Standards Program. It offers a brief understanding of the service that this industry-sponsored self enforced effort provides to our owners and to all who will occupy the Park Trailers that display this Standards Seal.

     RPTIA is a nonprofit trade association whose members are the manufacturers, suppliers, and service firms producing Park Trailers. The Association also represents allied associations whose members primarily represent the retailers, RV parks or resorts in the United States. RPTIA exists to unite all recognized segments of the industry so they may, in consort, have effective influence upon matters of public interest involving the betterment of the industry. The Association members produce 90% of the Park Trailers built in the US.

What Are Park Trailers

     Park Trailers are recreation vehicles primarily designed as temporary living quarters for recreation, camping or seasonal use. They are built on a single chassis, mounted on wheels and have a gross trailer area not exceeding 400 square feet in the set-up mode. Each Park Trailer is certified by the RPTIA member manufacturer as complying with ANSI A119.5. Two different types of Park Trailers are offered. One type is less than 8' 6" in width and is designed for frequent travel on the highways while the other and more popular type is wider than 8' 6" (usually 12' in width), and must be transported with special movement permits from the state highway department. The 8' 6" unit typically is expandable when it reaches its destination utilizing slide-outs or tip-outs. The wider units, being less mobile, are usually sited in a resort or RV park location for an extended term, typically several years.

How Was It Created And Maintained?

     The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a nonprofit association which establishes procedures and guidelines to create recognized minimum safety standards for products used by both consumers and industry. ANSI sanctions standards that have been created following rigid consensus procedures which allow all affected entities to have a voice in the development process. Among the critical issues reviewed by ANSI is the make-up of the committee empowered to establish or revise the Standard. All segments must be represented and no specific interest group can be in a position to dictate the outcome.
     A Standards making committee for Park Trailers has existed since 1980, and the canvass method was utilized to create the first safety Standard in late 1981. The Standard and the process that was used to establish it were submitted to and sanctioned by ANSI in March of 1982 and was then identified as ANSI - A119.5 Standard for Park Trailers.

      The Standard covers over 500 individual safety related requirements that must be complied with in the production and/or repair of Park Trailers. The A119.5 Standard was revised, using the canvass method, in 1988. Subsequent canvass method reviews also occurred in 1993 and again in 1997 when the current version was created. The requirements found in this Standard (either directly or by reference) include sections covering electrical, plumbing, structural, heating & AC, fire, and life safety issues. Copies of this 30 page Standard are available for $25.00, including postage and handling, from the RPTIA 30 Greenville Street - 2nd Floor, Newnan, Georgia 30263 (770)-251-2672.

RPTIA Members Pledge

Manufacturers Build To This Standard

     Upon joining RPTIA, manufacturers are required to sign a pledge that they will build Park Trailers that conform with the A119.5 Standard. The pledge, in part, reads:
      "We pledge to produce Park Trailers in compliance with the ANSI Standard A119.5 and agree to allow initial and ongoing unannounced inspections to verify our pledge. We understand that membership in the association may be revoked or is subject to disciplinary action following due process should the manufacturer fail to achieve or maintain the required conformance to the A 119.5 Standard."

Standards Inspections

Verifying The Pledge

     RPTIA has appointed a number of third party inspection agencies who have been qualified either by being appointed by two or more state agencies of government to conduct A119.5 Standards inspections or can demonstrate their ability to meet the requirements (stipulated by the American Society for Testing and Materials Standard E-541) for a third party agency. Manufacturers must appoint an RPTIA approved agency which will then conduct unannounced in-plant inspections that will take place at least once every 90 days. All products on location destined for shipment and resale in the United States shall be inspected for compliance.
      Compliance discrepancies are ranked according to their severity. A Type A deviation shall cover any deficiency which might immediately cause a serious injury. A Type B deviation shall be any deficiency which may in the future (following normal wear) cause a serious injury. A Type C deviation is all other deficiencies not classified as either an A or B. Upon being cited for any deviation, a manufacturer has ten days in which to respond in writing to the agency and to RPTIA's General Counsel, detailing the actions they are taking to rectify the specified problem(s).

Standards Enforcement

Disciplinary Action Is Applied

     Should a manufacturer be cited with a repeated A deviation, a twice repeated B, or a three time repeated C deviation, disciplinary action shall be imposed. Within the next thirty days an additional inspection, paid for by the manufacturer, will take place. Should the problem be resolved, the manufacturer shall return to the normal inspection frequency of 90 days. Should the same discrepancy be cited again, the Standards discrepancy and this manufacturer's performance shall be reviewed by the RPTIA's Board of Directors, where additional discipline or the dismissal of the firm from RPTIA's membership may take place.

State Mandated A119.5 Standards Inspections

     Twelve agencies of state government also hold enforcement powers over the Park Trailers sold or produced in their state and verify compliance with the A119.5 Standard. These states are: Arizona, California, Colorado, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah and Washington.

Maintaining The Program

Uniform Interpretations And New Technology

     Keeping the Standard up to date and insuring that the inspections and enforcement procedures are uniform in their application are two of the primary missions of the Association. To assist the industry with continuity, the Association publishes and updates A Handbook for the A119.5 Standard which covers any and all interpretations and gives the details on how the Standard shall be applied.
      The maintenance of the handbook is based upon a consensus of interpretations from the various inspecting organizations, both governmental and third party. The A119.5 Handbook also provides guidance to the builders, suppliers and repair firms. Copies of the handbook and the first year's subscription to an updating service are available for $82.50 including postage and handling, from the RPTIA 30 Greenville Street - 2nd Floor, Newnan, Georgia 30263 (770)-251-2672.

Displaying The RPTIA Seal

Recognition Of Accomplishment

And The Manufacturers Certification Of Compliance

     Each Manufacturing member of RPTIA who meets the requirements of this program is granted the right and privilege to display the RPTIA Standards Seal. The seal is an external recognition of the achievement that the manufacturers have made in their commitment to maintain compliance to the Standard. The seal is displayed, with pride, near the primary entrance to the Park Trailer.

Highlights From The 1998

A119.5 Park Trailer Standard

Electrical Requirements as specified in Article 552 and other applicable sections of NFPA 70, of the National Electrical Code.

Ground fault protected receptacles are specified where they are appropriate.


Only approved electrical fixtures, appliances, equipment and materials as have been labeled by nationally recognized testing agencies are allowed.


Voltage tests must be performed on the completed Park Trailer to determine that the electrical system is adequately insulated and without short circuits.

     Plumbing Systems, their fixtures, materials and equipment must be approved and display the insignia or label of approval by a testing agency such as the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) or the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO)

Water supply lines must be sized according to the length of the line to assure an adequate flow rate to each fixture.


Venting and traps - designated fixtures and drains are required to have a trap that is vented to prevent the buildup of back pressure or vacuums which could overcome the trap's water or mechanical seal.


Testing - Each plumbing system must be tested following final assembly to insure that proper drainage and a leak-free performance is achieved.

     (LP Gas) Heating requirements are intended to minimize any hazard of leakage which could cause a fire, asphyxiation or explosion.

Venting requirements are specified where necessary.


Gas piping sizes are required to insure a gas supply that provides for proper appliance performance.


80% stop fill devices are required on all permanently installed LP gas containers.


Gas line routing and accessibility - all joints in gas lines must be accessible for periodic leak testing and repair. Lines may not be installed in spaces where a nail or screw could pierce the line.


Appliances must be listed and labeled by a nationally recognized testing agency such as the American Gas Association (AGA) which has found the product to be suitable for its intended use.


Sealed combustion must be provided for all LP gas appliances, except for gas ranges, to provide for a complete separation of the combustion chamber from the interior atmosphere of the vehicle.


Testing - each system must be tested upon final assembly to determine proper leak-free performance.

 
     Construction Requirements, were introduced as a new section in the 1998 version of the A119.5 Standard. These requirements are applicable only to Park Trailers that exceed 8' 6" in width, units that are intended for placement on a specific site for long term occupancy, not frequent highway travel.

•     Roofs must meet a minimum of 20 pounds live load per square foot and floors must meet a minimum of 30 pounds live load per square foot or... Structural materials and fastening devices as specified shall be of specific sizes and meet listed requirements when used in a particular application.