They may look great, but their safety is being called into question.
The BC Safety Authority (BCSA) issued a press release last Wednesday in an attempt to locate all owners or occupants of “park homes” manufactured by Riske Creek Trailers of Tappen.
The organization says 27 Riske Creek mobile homes have been reported to them so far that do not comply with gas or electrical certification standards and may be hazardous for occupants – and they believe there may be more that have not yet been reported.
While the Riske Creek’s website advertises their homes as “handcrafted units using superior construction techniques and quality materials,” BCSA says some units have not been properly certified by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), while some others have unauthorized CSA labels, or none at all.
“Uncertified installation of gas appliances creates risks such as fire or carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be fatal,” says BC Safety Authority provincial gas manager Wayne Lock.
Lock says the independent organization mandated to oversee safe installation of technical systems and equipment in the province, put out a call for owners or occupants of Riske park models because owner Andy Tower has ignored repeated requests since 2011 to provide his records.
But Tower says he has addressed all deficiencies, sent required documentation on units that have been worked on and “plans of attack” for what will be done in the future to rectify any other issue.
“We have new units at the shop and we are doing our due diligence to make sure anything we deliver is over and above what is required, using the necessary inspection.”
He says his company, which currently employs four people, has been inspected by another “reputable” inspection company, one whose name he will not reveal.
But Lock points out that unlike most home construction where each phase of the building is inspected, manufactured homes are constructed in a plant and not inspected until they are in a mobile home park.
“What we’re finding with these park mobiles is that they are going out without decals, and when we don’t see them it raises questions for us,” he says, noting Tower is prohibited from using the CSA label. “We don’t feel the records are complete, that’s why we’re asking people who live in them to get in touch with us.”
CSA did not respond to a request last week for an explanation as to why Tower is no longer permitted to use their certification.
Nor will Tower say why he is no longer getting accreditation from CSA, but he adds he has not delivered a single unit in the past year in order to make sure they comply with all safety regulations.
“All units (owners) have largely been behind me and stood behind me, and new customers have faced delays to make sure it’s right.”
Lock maintains that’s something Tower should be telling CSA and says that, in the meantime, the safety authority is asking anyone with information regarding the existence of any trailer manufactured or sold by Riske Creek or Andy Tower to contact the safety authority at 1-866--566-7233, or by sending an email to info@safetyauthority.ca.