RVIA sticker

[Bob_Vaughn]

Why is there a charge for the sticker that is affixed to campers.....What do they do with the money they collect for this ? It does not look like they are doing anything about shoddy construction in the rv industry......

[boshog]

My 2015 Montana had two line items on the invoice under Miscellaneous for the RVIA seal, cost was $144 even. Next line down was the Canadian Compliance for another $398.

[JaxDad]

ANSI and NFPA are both safety standards, but covering slightly different things.

So to stay more on the subject, here is an excerpt from the Oregon Reg's;

"918-525-0040

Adopted Minimum Safety Standards

Effective November 1, 2008 the following standards are adopted by reference as the standards for the manufacture, conversion, alteration, or repair of recreational vehicles, recreational park trailers, accessory buildings, and accessory structures:

(1) The 2008 Edition of NFPA 1192, Standard on Recreational Vehicles, as published by the National Fire Protection Association, and further amended by the division.

(2) The 2005 Edition of ANSI 119.5, Standard for Recreational Park Trailers, as published by the American National Standards Institute, and further amended by the division.

(3) The 2008 Edition of NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, specifically but not limited to, Article 551 pertaining to Recreational Vehicles and Article 552 Park Trailers, as published by the National Fire Protection Association, and further amended by the division.

(4) The 2008 Edition of ANSI/RVIA Standard for Low Voltage Systems in Conversion and Recreational Vehicles, as published by the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association.

(5) The Oregon Residential Specialty Code, as adopted in OAR chapter 918, division 480, and those standards referenced within are adopted as the division’s standards for the construction, manufacture, alteration, repair, and conversion of accessory buildings and accessory structures used in conjunction with recreational vehicles and recreational park trailers."


There is no jurisdiction that does not have life safety reg's in place. The issue seems to be that people think because there's wheels underneath that only vehicle regulations apply. That is NOT the case.

[Dutch_12078]

JaxDad wrote:

Dutch_12078 wrote:

JaxDad wrote:

Dutch_12078 wrote:

JaxDad wrote:

SCVJeff wrote:

steve-n-vicki wrote:
I have stayed at a campground that required you to have the RVIA seal, no seal no stay

Where?

Legally, probably everywhere. In practice I doubt it's checked very often.

There is no state or federal law requiring an RV to have an RVIA sticker. A park can require one of course, since it's their park and their rules. I have stayed at a couple of parks over the years with it in their rules, but no one has ever asked about it or looked for it at check in.

While from a purely technical point of view, an "RVIA" sticker isn't required, the certification of compliance with the NFPA standards it represents IS required.

If an RV manufacturer wished to have some other accredited body certify the vehicles compliance with the required minimum standards for life safety it would be acceptable.

Please provide a link to any regulation that requires a "certification" that an RV meets NFPA standards. Even most RV's WITH an RVIA sticker are self-certified by the manufacturer, with only random checks by the RVIA inspectors. The NFPA does not set national or state standards for anything. Instead, they write standards that governments MAY adopt as written or may modify as they see fit. ANSI standards fall in the same category. NHTSA regulations and requirements for RV's and other highway vehicles, on the other hand, are codified in US law.

Just as an example, below is a link to a brochure from the State of Idaho's Division of Building Safety.

Idaho Life Safety Regulations Brochure

In it the preamble states "All structures built for use as a dwelling place, including “tiny houses”, must fall into one of the following classifications and are required to comply with the requirements for that classification."

Then further on, in the case of RV's it says "Recreational Vehicles - The Idaho Transportation Department regulates RVs as vehicles for title and licensing purposes through your county vehicle licensing agency. Their width is limited to 81?2 feet and temporary recreational lodging is the only legal use. The placement and occupancy of RVs is regulated by local planning and zoning ordinances.

RVs must comply with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard A119.2 for Recreational Vehicles or ANSI A119.5 Standards for Park Trailers (IC§39-4202). The Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) issues an insignia for compliant RVs and Park Trailers."

Just like with electrical safety and the NEC and the building code, life safety standards under the various State and Provincial regulations all refer back national standards. You can find similar requirements in each jurisdiction.

Per your PM requesting that I comment further on this forgotten two week old thread, yes, you did post a link to a brochure that lists an ANSI compliance requirement for RV's, although not the "NFPA certification" requirement that I asked for. The brochure also implies that the RVIA issues an "insignia" for all compliant RV's, which is not the case, since only RVIA member manufacturers are allowed to purchase the self-certification stickers for their products. Non-members need only self-certify compliance, with no third-party needed.

In reference to the NEC and other NFPA articles, while most states/municipalities do adopt them intact, there is no requirement that they do so. There are many instances where local building codes vary from the NFPA articles. I haven't checked in years, but NY City building codes for example, did not permit the use of PVC or other plastic water or waste lines, allowing only copper and cast iron. The use of "Romex" type jacketed wiring was also not permitted, with only wiring encased in metal conduit allowed. That may have changed, but there are many examples where local building codes differ from the NFPA articles.

I hope that clarifies the "RVIA sticker" status from my perspective for you, and I don't expect to comment further on the issue. Thank you for bringing my lack of a response to my attention...

[SCVJeff]

steve-n-vicki wrote:
it was a private camp ground , and they had a 5 year age restriction on your equipment,

5 years? I have never been to an age restricted CG, but any mentioned here is 10. Unless it's across the street from Disneyland or in the middle on Las Vegas they won't last long. That's a pretty stuck-up rule anyway, and 5 years is ridiculous.

So where is it?

[steve-n-vicki]

it was a private camp ground , and they had a 5 year age restriction on your equipment,

[JaxDad]

Dutch_12078 wrote:

JaxDad wrote:

Dutch_12078 wrote:

JaxDad wrote:

SCVJeff wrote:

steve-n-vicki wrote:
I have stayed at a campground that required you to have the RVIA seal, no seal no stay

Where?

Legally, probably everywhere. In practice I doubt it's checked very often.

There is no state or federal law requiring an RV to have an RVIA sticker. A park can require one of course, since it's their park and their rules. I have stayed at a couple of parks over the years with it in their rules, but no one has ever asked about it or looked for it at check in.

While from a purely technical point of view, an "RVIA" sticker isn't required, the certification of compliance with the NFPA standards it represents IS required.

If an RV manufacturer wished to have some other accredited body certify the vehicles compliance with the required minimum standards for life safety it would be acceptable.

Please provide a link to any regulation that requires a "certification" that an RV meets NFPA standards. Even most RV's WITH an RVIA sticker are self-certified by the manufacturer, with only random checks by the RVIA inspectors. The NFPA does not set national or state standards for anything. Instead, they write standards that governments MAY adopt as written or may modify as they see fit. ANSI standards fall in the same category. NHTSA regulations and requirements for RV's and other highway vehicles, on the other hand, are codified in US law.

Just as an example, below is a link to a brochure from the State of Idaho's Division of Building Safety.

Idaho Life Safety Regulations Brochure

In it the preamble states "All structures built for use as a dwelling place, including “tiny houses”, must fall into one of the following classifications and are required to comply with the requirements for that classification."

Then further on, in the case of RV's it says "Recreational Vehicles - The Idaho Transportation Department regulates RVs as vehicles for title and licensing purposes through your county vehicle licensing agency. Their width is limited to 81?2 feet and temporary recreational lodging is the only legal use. The placement and occupancy of RVs is regulated by local planning and zoning ordinances.

RVs must comply with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard A119.2 for Recreational Vehicles or ANSI A119.5 Standards for Park Trailers (IC§39-4202). The Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) issues an insignia for compliant RVs and Park Trailers."



Just like with electrical safety and the NEC and the building code, life safety standards under the various State and Provincial regulations all refer back national standards. You can find similar requirements in each jurisdiction.

[Dutch_12078]

JaxDad wrote:

Dutch_12078 wrote:

JaxDad wrote:

SCVJeff wrote:

steve-n-vicki wrote:
I have stayed at a campground that required you to have the RVIA seal, no seal no stay

Where?

Legally, probably everywhere. In practice I doubt it's checked very often.

There is no state or federal law requiring an RV to have an RVIA sticker. A park can require one of course, since it's their park and their rules. I have stayed at a couple of parks over the years with it in their rules, but no one has ever asked about it or looked for it at check in.

While from a purely technical point of view, an "RVIA" sticker isn't required, the certification of compliance with the NFPA standards it represents IS required.

If an RV manufacturer wished to have some other accredited body certify the vehicles compliance with the required minimum standards for life safety it would be acceptable.

Please provide a link to any regulation that requires a "certification" that an RV meets NFPA standards. Even most RV's WITH an RVIA sticker are self-certified by the manufacturer, with only random checks by the RVIA inspectors. The NFPA does not set national or state standards for anything. Instead, they write standards that governments MAY adopt as written or may modify as they see fit. ANSI standards fall in the same category. NHTSA regulations and requirements for RV's and other highway vehicles, on the other hand, are codified in US law.

[bukhrn]

SCVJeff wrote:

JaxDad wrote:

SCVJeff wrote:

steve-n-vicki wrote:
I have stayed at a campground that required you to have the RVIA seal, no seal no stay

Where?

Legally, probably everywhere. In practice I doubt it's checked very often.

I have never ever ever ever been asked, nor has anyone ever even come close to the passenger side to look for it. This in USFS, State, 5 county parks, and many private CG's... Never.

Still want to know where this was inspected ?

X-2, never even had anyone come out to look at my RV, first time they say it's a requirement, I'll move on down the road. (And take my wallet with me)

[SCVJeff]

JaxDad wrote:

SCVJeff wrote:

steve-n-vicki wrote:
I have stayed at a campground that required you to have the RVIA seal, no seal no stay

Where?

Legally, probably everywhere. In practice I doubt it's checked very often.

I have never ever ever ever been asked, nor has anyone ever even come close to the passenger side to look for it. This in USFS, State, 5 county parks, and many private CG's... Never.

Still want to know where this was inspected ?

[CavemanCharlie]

westend wrote:
Time for someone to start the RVAA.

That's what I'm thinking. A cash cow waiting to be fleeced. Errr,,,, something like that.

:B

[JaxDad]

Dutch_12078 wrote:

JaxDad wrote:

SCVJeff wrote:

steve-n-vicki wrote:
I have stayed at a campground that required you to have the RVIA seal, no seal no stay

Where?

Legally, probably everywhere. In practice I doubt it's checked very often.

There is no state or federal law requiring an RV to have an RVIA sticker. A park can require one of course, since it's their park and their rules. I have stayed at a couple of parks over the years with it in their rules, but no one has ever asked about it or looked for it at check in.

While from a purely technical point of view, an "RVIA" sticker isn't required, the certification of compliance with the NFPA standards it represents IS required.

If an RV manufacturer wished to have some other accredited body certify the vehicles compliance with the required minimum standards for life safety it would be acceptable.

[Dutch_12078]

JaxDad wrote:

SCVJeff wrote:

steve-n-vicki wrote:
I have stayed at a campground that required you to have the RVIA seal, no seal no stay

Where?

Legally, probably everywhere. In practice I doubt it's checked very often.

There is no state or federal law requiring an RV to have an RVIA sticker. A park can require one of course, since it's their park and their rules. I have stayed at a couple of parks over the years with it in their rules, but no one has ever asked about it or looked for it at check in.

[JaxDad]

SCVJeff wrote:

steve-n-vicki wrote:
I have stayed at a campground that required you to have the RVIA seal, no seal no stay

Where?

Legally, probably everywhere. In practice I doubt it's checked very often.

[westend]

Time for someone to start the RVAA.