General
HUD requirements are covered in the following publications:
- MPS 4910.1 – Minimum Property Standards for Housing
This publication outlines standards for one- and two-family dwellings, multi-family housing, and care-type housing and replaces previous publications MPS 4900.1, MPS 4910.1 and MPS 4920.1. Farmers Home Administration (FMHA) and the Veterans Administration (VA) also utilize HUD standards for residential construction instead of writing their own standards.
MPS 4910.1 states: “These MPS for Housing (4910.1) are intended to be used in all jurisdictions. In areas where the Department has found the local code acceptable, the MPS are to be used in conjunction with the local code. In areas where the Department has not accepted the local building code, the MPS are to be used in conjunction with a nationally recognized model building code designated by the Department.”
2. Model Building Code’s Designated (selected chapters)
- BOCA Basic/National Building Code
- Standard Building Code
- Uniform Building Code
- CABO One and Two Family Dwellings
Product Compliance
The 1994 edition of MPS 4910.1 references old federal specifications, i.e., SS-T-312B, L-F-475A, and L-F-001641. More recently, HUD has recognized the change from the old federal specifications to newer ASTM standards. More recently, HUD has recognized the change from the old federal specifications to newer ASTM standards, i.e., F 1066, F 1303, F 1700, etc. If a product meets a current ASTM standard specification, (or other consensus Standard), it complies with the requirements of MPS 4910.1.
If a product cannot be matched to an applicable ASTM specification, a manufacturer can petition HUD to issue a Materials Release. A Materials Release is recognition by HUD that a product is technically suitable for use in HUD financed construction. (It is not an endorsement by HUD.)