a261  1600  29 Jul 80
BC-News to Use,490
By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID
Associated Press Writer
    WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal housing officials are pondering the
problems of housing ventilation and whether they should make any
changes in their rules.
    The discussion originated in the Department of Housing and Urban
Development, where experts have developed concern over indoor air
quality because increased insulation to save energy is reducing the
amount of air moving into and out of homes.
    Presently, ventilation rules are set b a variety of federal, state
and private organization codes, which can cause confusion, officials
noted.
    For example, current federal rules for multifamily dwellings require
doors and windows to equal at least 5 percent of floor space when
natural ventilation is used.
    However, if there is to be mechanical ventilation, such as in
kitchens and bathrooms, the code of the American Society of Heating,
Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers prescribes two air
changes an hour.
    The department is looking for comments and suggestions on a variety
of questions on this topic and interested persons can write, until
Sept. 23, to the Rules Docket Clerk, Office of the General Counsel,
Room 5218, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh
St. SW, Washington, D.C., 20410. Refer to Docket No. R-80-840.
    Some of the questions being discussed include:
    - Should federal minimum property standards set specific ventilation
requirements or merely refer to state codes?
    - Should ductless air circulating and treatment devices be allowed
instead of mechanical bathroom ventilation? If so, should this include
all bathrooms or only those that do not have moisture generating
fixtures such as showers?
    - Should mechanical ventilation of living areas be permitted in
place of natural ventilation and, if so, should the rate of air change
be 5 cubic feet per minute per occupant, 7-to-10 cubic feet per
minute per occupant or 10 cubic feet per minute per room, regardless
of the number of occupants?
    ---
    NOW THE GOOD NEWS - The Veterans Administration has reduced the
maximum allowed interest rate on loans for mobile homes.
    The change was announced Monday, but is retroactive to July 21.
    Declining interest rates allow the change to be made, the VA said,
and the lower rates should assist veterans in buying mobile homes by
lowering the monthly loan payments for principal and interest.
    Under the new rule the maximum interest rate for VA guaranteed loans
to buy mobile home lots or to buy both a mobile home and lot is 14
percent. Loans for the purchase of mobile home only will have a top
limit of 14 1/2 percent.
    The top rate for mobile homes had been 16 percent and for lots 15 1/2
percent.
    ---
    A SAFETY TIP - Here's a driving safety tip from the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration:
    Automobile brakes can be a life saver when they are operating
properly. Check to be sure the master brake cylinder is filled to the
proper level with clean, approved fluid.
    
ap-ny-07-29 1904EDT
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