State Fire Marshal’s Office Cracks Down On Illegal Factory Built Home Installers

Jackson, MS – November 5, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — In recent weeks inspectors from the Fire Code Enforcement/Factory Built Home Division of the Mississippi State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) have filed charges against 11 individuals in eight counties for violating Mississippi law regarding the installation/transportation of factory built homes. Of those charged, seven have been arrested by local law enforcement authorities. All have been charged with installing a factory built home without a license.

Individuals in Bolivar, Claiborne, Jackson, Panola, Prentiss, Quitman, Washington and Wayne counties were charged and/or arrested. Violating Mississippi Code §75-49-1-21is a general misdemeanor and carries a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to one year in jail. Of those arrested courts have imposed fines and ordered restitution paid to the State Fire Marshal’s Office for the inspection fee.

“We have been able to locate and file charges against these installers due to the additional manpower we have been able to train and add for inspections as a result of House Bill 1435,” Scott Barnes, Assistant Chief Deputy Fire Marshal in charge of the Fire Code Enforcement /Factory Built Home Division of the SFMO. Barnes became Assistant Chief Deputy of the Division in September, 2010.
House Bill 1435 calls for 100% inspection of every factory built home used for human habitation, installed in the state since July 1, 2009. Prior to August of 2010, there were only six trained State Fire Marshal Office factory built home code enforcement inspectors for the entire state. Today, there are 27 trained inspectors with the State Fire Marshal’s Office

Barnes added that other individuals are being investigated and that additional charges could be pending on those already charged.

“Ensuring the safety and integrity of factory built homes and protecting the lives and property of Mississippians who live in them remains a priority of the State Fire Marshal’s Office,” Mike Chaney, State Fire Marshal said.

Installer/transporters of factory built homes in Mississippi are required to be licensed by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Since August 2010, the Fire Code Enforcement /Factory Built Home Division has conducted over 600 inspections of factory built homes.

If consumers have questions regarding the transport or installation of their factory built home they may contact the State Fire Marshal’s Office at 1-888-648-0877. Installers/transporters with questions on obtaining a license to do business in Mississippi may contact the State Fire Marshal’s Office at that same number or find an application form on the Mississippi Insurance Department Website at www.mid.state.ms.us – State Fire Marshal.