[GSBN] French SB code and Status of Straw Bale Construction and codes

[Luc Floissac]

Everyone,

thanks Martin for the informations concerning ICC.

In France the SB code is approuved since june 2011.
This code is available here: 
http://www.compaillons.eu/boutique/reglesprofessionnellesdelaconstructionpaille 


This SB code covers:
     - SB infil
     - SB plaster with earth / lime / cement

Martin, Could you give me your adress in order to send you this code ?

Regards.

Luc Floissac


Le 10/11/2011 01:10, martin hammer a écrit :
> Everyone,
>
> Bad news and good news regarding the proposed Strawbale Construction 
> section of the International Green Construction Code (IGCC).  The bad 
> news is very bad.  Strawbale Construction was eliminated from the IGCC 
> and it was not even heard at the Final Action Hearings that concluded 
> Sunday.
>
> Without going into the complex circumstances and procedure, three 
> weeks ago a proponent of a related Code Change Proposal withdrew it, 
> which caused the section to be eliminated.  The proponent was a 
> Building Official who is significantly less biased and more interested 
> in public welfare than the many industry representatives involved, who 
> as a rule are interested in protecting their territory.  This building 
> official was the only person in a position to do what he did.  He 
> maintains it was his decision, but also acknowledged the influence of 
> other opponents (industry representatives).  I was unknowingly exposed 
> to this action, which amounted to (or felt like) a stab in the back.
>
> The most legitimate criticism by opponents was that the IGCC process 
> did not include committee members qualified to judge the structural 
> aspects of the proposed SB code.  Although there is truth to this, I 
> argued (among other things) that the code was created by licensed 
> design professionals and academics experienced in design, construction 
> and testing of strawbale buildings (including many from the GSBN who 
> were kind enough to write letters of support).  This includes Mark 
> Aschheim (CE professor Santa Clara University) who wrote detailed 
> analysis and rationale for the seismic provisions.
>
> At the other end of the spectrum were absurd comments, such as 
> strawbale construction was "not a green subject".  Or that there is no 
> uniformity from one bale to the next.  The latter comment coming from 
> a representative of the American Wood Council, which promotes a 
> material (wood) where each piece is unique.  Comments such as these 
> speak of ignorance at best, or more likely obstructionism.
>
> So what could possibly be the good news?  I have refocused my energy 
> on proposing strawbale construction for inclusion in the International 
> Building Code (IBC).  Proposals are due Jan 3, 2012.  The IBC is where 
> strawbale construction ultimately belongs (the IGCC would have been a 
> nice step, but with limited effect).  Once in the IBC (and probably 
> the International Residential Code), it would as a matter of course 
> become part of the building code of virtually every jurisdiction in 
> the US.
>
> Almost every opponent of SB Construction in the IGCC stated it 
> "doesn't belong in the IGCC, it belongs in the IBC".  I've written an 
> e-mail "anticipating their support in principle" as I notified them of 
> my IBC intention.  The International Code Council, the body that 
> facilitates and oversees the writing and publication of the I-Codes, 
> has been very helpful throughout, and as one staff architect recently 
> stated - "As long as you persevere we will be backing you."
>
> The IGCC effort was not wasted.  The language as it stands is much 
> more "code ready" than it was at the beginning of the process 2 years 
> ago.  I now have written objections from opponents, many of which I 
> have addressed (the legitimate ones) and made changes resulting in a 
> better code.  It is on many more people's radar (mostly in a good 
> way).  The structural provisions are undergoing further review by a 
> task force organized by Mark Aschheim and are being placed on the 
> plate of the Building Seismic Safety Commission, an important 
> commission that advises the ICC.
>
> With my intention to submit this to the ICC on 12/24/11 (my internal 
> deadline), I offer to send the current version to those interested in 
> making comments.
>
> At least three people from this list were kind enough to make 
> donations to CASBA to help cover expenses for the IGCC effort.  I here 
> offer to return those donations (contact me or Maurice Bennett), but 
> will also suggest that they instead be used toward expenses of the 
> even more important IBC effort.  The first Hearings will occur in 
> Dallas at the end of April.
>
> That's all for now on the code front.  I will either succeed with this 
> before I die (with significant help from my SB friends), or have the 
> straw bale code engraved on my tombstone.   But I now have a new plan 
> and renewed optimism about straw bale in the IBC.  Onward.
>
> Martin Hammer
>
> PS -- A note of thanks to David Eisenberg for his continued support.
>
>
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