The Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform (MHARR) says the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) has issued a new proposal regarding sprinkler systems in HUD (Housing and Urban Development) code homes that MHARR says leaves the liability door open.  MHI’s new suggestion states that sprinklers are federally preempted, but sets up a standard if a manufacturer ”elects” to install sprinklers in a manufactured home.  MHARR says, “Once any such standard went into effect, the Secretary [of HUD] would be obligated to enforce it across-the-board upon petition or request by sprinkler advocates or anyone else.  And HUD officials, in response to a direct question from MHARR at a recent MHCC (Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee) meeting, admitted as much, stating that it could not provide any assurance that such a standard would not ultimately be expanded to cover all HUD Code homes.”  MHARR further states the standard could be used in a court case to impose liability upon manufacturers, communities and retailers. MHARR says it could cost up to $6,000 to install sprinklers in a double-section home.