Technical and marketplace issues,
which can impact the quality, acceptance and affordability of
factory built housing, serve as the basis for all of SBRA's
investigations. Projects are organized into the following areas:
Construction
and Manufacturing Technologies Seeking to identify better design and construction
practices, SBRA conducts a broad range of studies and product
development projects. Examples include high performance structural
systems, longevity and durability of adhesives and sealants,
reduction in the amount of construction waste, and design and
demonstration of home automation systems. Projects in this area include:
Energy Efficiency
and Green Building SBRA undertakes projects to unearth practical
and cost-effective approaches to reducing home energy use. Among
these efforts are innovations in building envelope systems,
methods for providing efficient air distribution systems and
programs to promote the use of high performance appliances. Projects in this area include:
Health
and Safety Helping industry provide safe and healthy
living environments is central to SBRA mission. Projects include
evaluating the impact of after-market products on indoor air
quality and moisture condensation, effective ventilation strategies
and the proper design and installation of vapor barriers. Projects in this area include:
New
Markets Industry growth will occur partly through
the adaptation of factory built home designs for new applications.
SBRA-sponsored research will eliminate barriers to the use of
HUD-code homes in urban settings, merge factory built homes
with site built components developing hybrid designs, and create
designs that serve emerging niche markets, such as assisted
living for seniors. Projects in this area include:
Installations Seeking to assure that finished homes have
the same high quality as when they left the plant, SBRA is redoubling
its efforts in the area of site installation. Some project topics
include improved foundation and anchoring system design and
installation practices, guidelines for proper home setup and
research into the techniques for mitigating the damage that
can be caused by hurricanes and earthquakes. Projects in this area include:
