RV Industry Association Releases Newly Revised Uniform Plan Approval Standard
Apr 25, 2019 | John-Vincent Nichols
The RV Industry Association’s Standards Department has released a revised version of the American National Standards Institute Uniform Plan Approval-1 (ANSI UPA) 2019 edition. UPA-1 describes the plan approval requirements to ensure a high degree of safety and health for occupants using RVs.
This revised version contains minor changes reflecting how plans can be submitted to the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). The AHJ is an organization responsible for approving equipment, installation or procedure. Therefore, it’s important at the beginning of any project that the AHJ(s) be identified by an agency/organization.
Key changes to the UPA-1 include, new provisions addressing floor plans for lofts along with the location of stairways, tread and riser dimensions, handrails and guardrails, ramp doors, generator connections, solar power sources, plumbing low point drains and traps. Fire & Life Safety has been enhanced to include ramp doors, and location of stairways. Generator, solar and other alternative power source connections to both low voltage and 120V power assembly diagrams have been added to the electrical section of Chapter 3.
All proposed editorial revisions were considered and finalized by the UPA-1 Canvass Working Committee and RV Industry Association staff, and the revised UPA-1 was approved by the ANSI Board of Standard Review on March 8.
Voluntary consensus standards serve as the foundation of the U.S. economy and are the fundamental building blocks for innovation and competitiveness on the global stage. The Uniform Plan Approval was developed under the published procedures of the American National Standards Institute which utilizes a canvassing method in developing evidence of a consensus.
UPA standards for the RV industry didn’t exist prior to the development of this standard. Members with a background in engineering and others associated with design, manufacturing and inspection of RVs have been aware of the need for uniform plan approval standards. They have also recognized that, because of the various agencies involved with plan approval for RVs, consistency in plan approval development was necessary. It was with these elements in mind that this standard was developed. Though first published in 2000, the UPA-1 didn’t undergo its first substantial revision until 2009, which clarified how gross trailer square footage was determined and added a requirement to identify the location of gasoline fuel dispensing hose nozzles on the floor plan.
The RV Industry Association encourages every member of the RV community to read and endorse the Uniform Plan Approval and urges those in the RV industry to incorporate its core tactics into their own organization’s practices.
The UPA-1 and accompanying background information is now available and can be purchased here.
If you have any questions about the new edition or anything pertaining to standards and regulations, please contact kperkins@rvia.org or jnichols@rvia.org.
Revised 2019 Edition Of
EXTLAD-1 Now Available
EXTLAD-1 Now Available
Apr 22, 2019 | John-Vincent Nichols
The RV Industry Association’s Standards Department is pleased to announce the 2019 edition of the ANSI/RVIA EXTLAD-1 Recommended Practice Laboratory Test Procedures for Exterior Ladders on Recreational Vehicles.
These test procedures provide minimum safety criteria through uniform testing of exterior ladders by the ladder manufacturers and the RV manufacturers for exterior ladders as installed and used on RVs.
One of the objectives of this standard is to better ensure a safe and secure environment and promote safety among manufacturers and consumers. Without education and continuous innovation in planning and product design, we are potentially leaving the well-being of our end users at risk.
So, what’s the first step in broadening your exterior ladder safety awareness? Purchasing your very own copy of the ANSI/RVIA EXTLAD-1. The purpose of this recommended practice, of laboratory test procedures, shall provide minimum safety criteria, through uniform testing, of exterior ladders by the ladder manufacturers and by recreational vehicle manufacturers for exterior ladders as installed and used on recreational vehicles. The recommended practice shall be applied to all new unused exterior ladders for recreational vehicles that have not been in use or have been subjected to prior damage, misuse, or abuse. This recommended practice shall be applied to the manufacturer of the exterior ladders and their attachment on recreational vehicles.This recommended practice is not intended for use as a design specification or as an instruction manual.
This edition, originally issued in April 2019, has since been revised after discovering technical errors within section 1.1.2 in terms of durations for testing as well as section 4.3 and Figure 3 which deals with the rung torque test. These revisions were submitted to ANSI for the Board Standard Review (BSR) to rescind the February 2019 approval of the current 2019 edition of the ANSI/RVIA EXTLAD-1 Recommended Practice Laboratory Test Procedures for Exterior Ladders on RVs. ANSI BSR rescinded this recommended practice on May 17, 2019. The RV Industry Association, as the ANSI Standards Developer (ASD) proceeded to re-open this recommended practice for a limited review in order to process the technical errors in sections 1.1.2, 4.3 and Figure 3. The RV Industry Association ANSI accredited Administrative Canvass Procedures were implemented, and the Canvass was balloted, and public review was processed through the ANSI Weekly Standards Action. The Association received notification on Final Action that the Board of Standard Review approved this ANSI/RVIA EXTLAD-1-2019 Recommended Practice Laboratory Test Procedures for Exterior Ladders on Recreational Vehicles (new standard) on July 19, 2019.
Click here to get your copy of 2019 edition of the ANSI/RVIA EXTLAD-1 Recommended Practice Laboratory Test Procedures for Exterior Ladders on Recreational Vehicles, today!
If you ordered a February 2019 edition of the standard, we will gladly send you the revised July 2019 edition free of charge. For more information or assistance in getting your revised copy, contact Standards Specialist John-Vincent Nichols at jnichols@rvia.org.
Ladder Safety - One Rung At A Time
Apr 01, 2019 | John-Vincent Nichols
Did you know March was National Ladder Safety Month? As part of an effort to participate in the promotion of ladder compliance and safety, the RV Industry Association’s Standards Department is pleased to announce the NEW 2019 edition of the ANSI/RVIA EXTLAD-1 Recommended Practice Laboratory Test Procedures for Exterior Ladders on Recreational Vehicles.
These test procedures provide minimum safety criteria through uniform testing of exterior ladders by the ladder manufacturers and the RV manufacturers for exterior ladders as installed and used on RVs.
One of the objectives of this standard is to better ensure a safe and secure environment among manufacturers and consumers. This is critical because without education and continuous innovation in planning and product design, we are potentially leaving the well-being of our end users at risk.
Included in this new edition of ANSI/RVIA EXTLAD-1, are provisions for rung-bending strength, rung torque, rail shear strength, ladder mounting and an assortment of test procedures that provide minimum safety criteria through uniform testing of exterior ladders, among others.
These practices are intended to provide the manufacturer, purchaser and user of exterior ladders with a set of performance and dimensional requirements against which this product may be compared. Although it is not the purpose of this standard to specify all the details of construction of exterior ladders, it can be a great tool for serving as the basis for instructions in personal training. The limitations imposed are for the purpose of providing adequate general guidelines and testing methods needed for consistency.
As an ANSI Accredited Standards Developer (ASD), the RV Industry Association’s standards department is required to revise or reaffirm this standard on a routine basis. Safety is pivotal for this industry and our efforts to educate and provide the necessary tools is something we are proud to offer. It is our duty to share the safety benefits and remain a proactive leader in the products you use.
Need a copy of the new 2019 edition of the ANSI/RVIA EXTLAD-1? Click here!
If you have any questions about the new edition or anything pertaining to standards and regulations, please contact the Senior Standards Developer kperkins@rvia.org or Standards Specialist John-Vincent Nichols at jnichols@rvia.org.
The RV Industry’s
Trek Towards Tech
Trek Towards Tech
Aug 05, 2019 | John-Vincent Nichols
Smart technology is revolutionizing both RV design and the way we RV. Many RV manufacturers are working with their supplier partners to install smart systems and accessories that deliver what today’s consumer is looking for, while making RVing easier than ever. Intuitive control systems and complete customization aren’t a thing of the future anymore. From awnings that offer the convenience of being controlled through the simple click of a button to high-efficiency appliances, the RV industry is looking to outfit the next generation of RV with new technology.
Lithium-Ion Batteries
Lithium-ion batteries are becoming more of a viable choice for RVers due to their reliability and efficiency. The level of technology is on the rise while costs are declining, creating a buzz among RV consumers, making it easier to justify adding them to their RVs.
Charging is simple. RVers don’t have to deplete the battery completely to recharge it and there’s an option to recharge in the middle of the cycle. Campers can sleep well at night knowing that they don’t have to run the generator overnight or check their batteries constantly. With these benefits becoming more prevalent and consumer demand increasing, RV manufacturers are making more and more models that come equipped with lithium-ion batteries.
Performance Awnings
The thermometer is pushing 100 degrees and you’re out camping with the family. The sun is beating down relentlessly and feels as if it’s got its arm around your shoulders. This sounds like an opportune time to set up the awning and enjoy some views from your lawn chair. Luckily for RVers, new manufacturer awnings are placing comfort and ease in their hands via one-touch technology that helps ensure that the awning set point is correct, eliminating any potential damage to the awning caused by the elements. At the touch of a button, awnings extend and retract, adding another nice tech upgrade benefit to RVers.
Appliances
Even with simple appliances, manufacturers and suppliers are looking at ways to improve design and functionality. There’s nothing like having a refrigerator in your RV to really bring the comforts of home to the open road. Ask any RVer and they’ll tell you that refrigeration means you can store the essentials – veggies, dairy, meat and most importantly, beer. RVers looking to update their kitchens can now turn to cutting-edge refrigerators with functionality improvements such as door hinges that allow them to be opened from either side. This means more design, more comfort, more quality and more practical functionality for an appliance that needs to hold up to the daily rigors of the road.
These technological improvements are just a few of the many amazing integrations being brought into RVs by manufacturers and suppliers responding to consumer demand. The future is bright for the RV lifestyle, as industry brands deliver the spirit of adventure, while steering the industry towards innovation.