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<title>Re: [GSBN] SB Overhangs (was Big News!)</title>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=green face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:green'>Hi all <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=green face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:green'>Is it possible that the draft code could
be posted on line somewhere…? <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=green face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:green'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=green face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:green'>Otherwise can someone post me a copy of the
draft too?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=green face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:green'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=green face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:green'>How long will the whole process take until
the draft code becomes final? <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=green face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:green'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=green face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:green'>Sorry for my ignorance but can someone
explain what this means for code acceptance outside of the green building council?
One of the ways we can get alternate systems properly accepted (i.e. by the
banks) is for the system to be registered with what is known as the “Agrement”
Board. As far as I understand – this is an international accredited
system that is affiliated to various international construction bodies and so
was wondering if such a code approval might mean the Agrement Board would be
forced to accept it once the draft has been made final. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=green face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:green'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=green face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:green'>This is a major deal for many of us in <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">South Africa</st1:country-region></st1:place>,
because currently there is simply no way we can get any bank finance or tackle any
of our governments crippling housing backlog with natural building. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=green face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:green'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=green face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:green'>Thanks <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=green face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:green'>Andy Horn<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=green face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:green'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
GSBN-bounces@greenbuilder.com [mailto:GSBN-bounces@greenbuilder.com] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>martin hammer<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> 17 September 2010 02:16 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> (private, with public
archives) Global Straw Building Network<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: [GSBN] SB Overhangs
(was Big News!)</span></font><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial'>Thanks for your input Sarah. I
will e-mail you the proposed code off-list.<br>
<br>
Martin Hammer<br>
<br>
<br>
On 9/17/10 3:01 AM, "Sarah Johnston" <sarahjohnston@ihug.co.nz>
wrote:</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial'>Hello all.<br>
<br>
We agree that eaves are very important and also feel there should be a minimum
eave depth included for a SB code, the difficult part is making it appropriate
for all climates.<br>
<br>
With our experiences with projects in dry, windy parts of NZ we do disagree
with the concept of making the eaves oversized in the code then have industry
professionals argue to have smaller eaves if they wish. This approach
creates a challenging situation for design professionals and code officials who
end up having to put themselves in a vulnerable place from a liability
perspective just to get to a realistic eave depth for the climate they are
working in. This approach creates a lot of extra work as well. <br>
<br>
A BIG congratulations for all your great work and thanks to everyone involved
in the code effort! We would most certainly appreciate a copy of the
present draft code to have a look at.<br>
<br>
Warm Regards, <br>
Sarah & Sven Johnston<br>
<br>
Sarah Johnston<br>
Sol Design, Ltd.<br>
50A <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Connolly Street</st1:address></st1:Street>
<br>
Geraldine <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New Zealand</st1:place></st1:country-region><br>
03 693 7369<br>
sarahjohnston@ihug.co.nz<br>
<br>
On Sep 1, 2010, at 11:53 PM Sep 1, 2010, Graeme North wrote:</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial'>There are many ways to give a
strawbale wall primary weather protection - the trick is to make sure that it
happens, and this is what a Standard can do. Rain screening of some sort
is one wonderful method.<br>
<br>
What I despair of is designers who appear to think that they are "getting
away" with something (what?) by leaving good prudent primary weather
protection off their buildings.<br>
<br>
I prefer to sleep on wet windy stormy nights.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Graeme<br>
Graeme North Architects<br>
<st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">49 Matthew Road</st1:address></st1:Street><br>
RD1<br>
Warkworth<br>
tel/fax +64 (0)9 4259305<br>
<br>
graeme@ecodesign.co.nz<br>
www.ecodesign.co.nz <a href="http://www.ecodesign.co.nz"><http://www.ecodesign.co.nz></a>
<br>
</span></font><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:
Arial'><br>
</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:
Arial'><br>
<br>
On 1/09/2010, at 11:52 PM, Rikki Nitzkin wrote:</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial'>Hi all, <br>
<br>
Maybe this code could include various Options since there are many ways to
solve the problem.<br>
<br>
About protecting clay-plastered walls from wind-driven rain or un protected
gable roof walls, there is always the option of a ventilated rain-screen. I
have seen many different options made with wood in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Denmark</st1:country-region>,
and on some of Tom Rijven's buildings in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">france</st1:place></st1:country-region>. The rain -screens can be
simple, beautiful and permit clay plaster.<br>
<br>
By the way, are you all aware of the Loadbearing Dome and Vault building (with
a Green Roof) Gernot Minke is working on in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Slovakia</st1:place></st1:country-region>? It should be quite
spectacular, and could make a nice article for TLS. I am off to participate in
the build next week. Check out fotos at: </span></font><b><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'><a
href="http://minke-strawbaledome.blogspot.">http://minke-strawbaledome.blogspot.</a>
<a href="http://minke-strawbaledome.blogspot.com/"><http://minke-strawbaledome.blogspot.com/></a>
</span></font></b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>com/ <a href="http://minke-strawbaledome.blogspot.com/"><http://minke-strawbaledome.blogspot.com/></a>
<br>
</span></font><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma'><br>
baling on...<br>
</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:
Arial'><br>
</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Arial'>Rikki <br>
</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:
Arial'><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
El 26/08/2010, a las 13:03, martin oehlmann escribió:</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.5pt;
font-family:Arial'>Hello all,<br>
<br>
again compliments to all this great work which in essence should make things
easier by systemized solutions. If I read Andys remarks on freedom of desgin we
might be able to solve the paradox of securing people from design failures and
at the same time stimulate ongoing experiments by a simple preamble for codes:
."this or better".<br>
<br>
This would be an opening to convince building inspectors for what's not be
known yet, but definitly soon will be offered. Without flexibility there is
just little innovation. And it is the "cemented aspect" of the
building industry which spends a minimum for innovation in comparison to other
sectors. <br>
<br>
Best wishes from a rainy <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Brittany</st1:place></st1:State>,<br>
<br>
Martin Oehlmann<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
----- Original Message -----</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial'> Andy Horn <a
href="mailto:andy@ecodesignarchitects.co.za"><mailto:andy@ecodesignarchitects.co.za></a>
<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> '(private, with public
archives) Global Straw Building Network' <a href="mailto:GSBN@greenbuilder.com"><mailto:GSBN@greenbuilder.com></a>
<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Wednesday, August 25, 2010
10:36 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: [GSBN] SB Overhangs
(was Big News!)<br>
<br>
</span></font><font size=2 color=green face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;color:green'>Hi Martin<br>
I certainly don’t envy those trying to create a 1 size fits all
international building code that balances freedom of design and place for
innovation with the specifics of good building practice. Anyhow to add some
further food for thought.<br>
<br>
In answering questions about what to do with multi storey designs, I always
find history to be such a valuable tool when it comes to looking at various
design responses.<br>
The vernacular architecture of Japan has evolved a very sensible architectural
style when it comes to protecting their thin little earth plastered wattle and
daub structures. Numerous numbers of these structures still exist with some are
many hundreds of years old, with some being even 3 or 4 storeys high of earth
plaster!! The roofs are often but not always hipped, affording good overhangs
all around and in the case of multi storey buildings each floor has its own min
roof around it like skirts.…so shedding the rain at each level. In the
case of gabled wall ends, all the openings have min roofs over them. Other
times the clay wattle and daub is given a basic plaster and then an external
timber siding rather than more plaster is used. Effectively parapet walls are
generally avoided so the roof always closes over the top of a wall. Even their
boundary walls, which are usually of more solid packed earth and are typically
earth plastered, all have mini roofs over the tops of the walls ….usually
1 layer of beautiful crafted fire clay tiles overhanging either side with a
ridge cap in the centre. Their plastered walls are also broken into panels with
expressed timber framing, so that the plaster surfaces are broken down into
manageable sizes that can be plastered to absolute perfection and generally
present much fewer problems with cracking.<br>
<br>
I am not familiar with the extent or wording of the code, so I may be speaking
out of context but generally I would be worried about being overly prescriptive
about how one solves a problem ....especially where officials can take a narrow
interpretation of a code and there may be ways and new products that have not
been thought of yet that may offer alternate solutions? While I agree having
roof overhangs is best practice and I have not done otherwise, it may be wiser
that one set about defining what one is trying to do that a roof overhang is
doing…i.e. not letting water get in from the top being the most critical
clearly….. or is one trying to give the wall some degree of protection
from rain hitting it by using an overhang as well? Because outright protection
I don’t believe is practical or even necessary. I think the degree or
amount of overhang is more of a regional thing that is even specific to the
exact context of the site of the building… the intensity of rain that is
potentially hitting a wall and the direction that it comes (rain does not
always come from above) are clearly important factors to try and understand and
respond to and will vary from place to place.<br>
<br>
Context will change things and how one designs in relation to the context
…..so I would imagine some of what the code needs to address would
be how design may respond differently in relation to the amount of rain, wind
direction, wind driven rain (if applicable), rain intensity, when it rains in relation
to how cold or hot it is, so one understands how quickly or otherwise rain may
be able to dry out again. The position of ones overhangs and rain buffers
(pergolas, shade devices etc) and use of rain screens may be of more importance
depending on where and how big one designing……the rain here in the
Cape is typically winter rainfall that is wind driven almost always coming from
the North west….and in some cases comes in horizontally especially along
the coast. In these cases one has to look at incorporating siding over the
bales and rain screens on the exposed sides to help shield the rain….and
in certain cases I will avoid using straw in the parts where it is too at
risk….so I rarely end up with a building with 100% of its walls being in
straw bale.<br>
<br>
Best<br>
Andy Horn<br>
<br>
ECO DESIGN – Architects & Consulatants<br>
6th floor, 79 on Roeland, <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">79
Roeland St</st1:address></st1:Street>.<br>
8001, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">CAPE TOWN</st1:City>, <st1:country-region
w:st="on">SOUTH AFRICA</st1:country-region></st1:place><br>
Tel: 07 21 462 1614, fax 07 21 461 3198<br>
website: www.ecodesignarchitects.co.za <a
href="http://www.ecodesignarchitects.co.za"><http://www.ecodesignarchitects.co.za></a>
</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> GSBN-bounces@greenbuilder.com [<a
href="mailto:GSBN-bounces@greenbuilder.com%5d">mailto:GSBN-bounces@greenbuilder.com]</a>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>martin hammer<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> 25 August 2010 02:50 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> (private, with public archives)
Global Straw Building Network<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: [GSBN] SB Overhangs
(was Big News!)<br>
</span></font><br>
<font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Hi
Graeme,<br>
<br>
I’ll send you the SB code off list.<br>
<br>
Re: the overhangs, what do you do with multi-story or tall walls? Do you
have roof at typical first floor ceiling height in addition to the upper roof?<br>
<br>
I will definitely consider putting such a table into the SB code. I saw
Bruce’s vote of agreement, and wonder if anyone else strongly agrees or
disagrees that overhangs be code-mandated for strawbale.<br>
<br>
Overhangs are generally a very good idea for SB, and I consider them
“good practice” or “best practice”. I don’t
know if they are at the level of “minimum practice”, which is
typically the threshold of code language, although all of that is open to
considerable debate. Also in your table you account for wind as a
factor, but not rainfall. If your table were applied to desert climates,
it might be unfairly restrictive (although some desert climates receive
concentrated periods of rain).<br>
<br>
In an earlier iteration of the code I prohibited strawbale parapets, but for a
few reasons decided to instead be silent on the issue.<br>
<br>
Martin<br>
<br>
<br>
On 8/24/10 4:11 PM, "Graeme North" <graeme@ecodesign.co.nz>
wrote:<br>
HI Martin<br>
<br>
firstly my congratulations -<br>
<br>
and yes, I would really appreciate a word document I can make comment on <br>
<br>
>From my neck of the woods, one of the overriding issues I encounter time
and time again is that of good weather protection from wind driven rain in our
decidedly pluvian and humid climate - something that gets skittered around
in most books and references. <br>
<br>
I think we need a prescriptive starting point. In the NZ Earth Building
Standards NZS 4299 we relate wind zone. eaves height (vertical exposed wall
height), and roof overhang width to give MIMIMUM roof overhangs as follows
- <br>
<br>
<br>
Wind Zone - Ratio of eave height to width<br>
Low (at ULS 32m/s) 4:1 (600mm over a 2400 wall)<br>
Medium (37m/s) 8:3 <br>
High (44 m/s) 3:2<br>
Very High (50 m/s) 1:1 (or in other words a full verandah)<br>
<br>
<br>
We developed this table after leaks and some degradation of material in some
earthen structures and I can report that there has been no reported problem
since we adopted this. <br>
<br>
It is my contention that straw buildings are at least as moisture sensitive as
earthen buildings and I would suggest that this sort of table be regarded a
good starting point for calculating minimum roof overhangs for direct-plastered
external strawbale walls, a recommendation that could possibly be worked back
(or exceeded) after local weather or site assessment, or possibly a service
history of locally developed techniques.<br>
<br>
It may seem a but draconian to some but for my money the biggest problem with
strawbale buildings, in humid wet climates at least, seems to be that of
providing adequate primary weather protection, in the form of eaves, or rain
screening, and lack of good practical prescriptive guidance on this subject.
<br>
<br>
<br>
Comments welcome<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
</span></font><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:
Arial'>Graeme (in bossy standards writing mode) North<br>
<br>
Graeme North Architects<br>
<st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">49 Matthew Road</st1:address></st1:Street><br>
RD1<br>
Warkworth<br>
tel/fax +64 (0)9 4259305<br>
<br>
graeme@ecodesign.co.nz<br>
www.ecodesign.co.nz <a href="http://www.ecodesign.co.nz"><http://www.ecodesign.co.nz></a>
<br>
<br>
</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
Arial'><br>
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On 23/08/2010, at 5:32 PM, martin hammer wrote:<br>
Everyone,<br>
<br>
Lars Keller asked the below question so I thought I would answer to all
in case others are interested. I’ll set a deadline of September
30th for anyone wanting to comment on the strawbale code as in the second draft
of the IGCC.<br>
<br>
Thanks.<br>
<br>
Martin<br>
<br>
<br>
On 8/22/10 9:36 PM, "Lars Keller" <larskeller@gmail.com>
wrote:<br>
<br>
<br>
Dear Martin,<br>
What is the deadline for comments to you ?<br>
Best regards,<br>
Lars Keller<br>
<br>
On 22 August 2010 03:36, martin hammer <mfhammer@pacbell.net>
wrote:<br>
<br>
Hello friends on the GSBN,<br>
<br>
My voice has been conspicuously absent on this subject, so I thought I
would weigh in. <br>
<br>
First, thanks for the words of appreciation. I was pleasantly
surprised to hear the news from David on Monday. I think this strawbale
code document is very good, but there are a number of reasons I didn’t
think it would go through to the next step. I thought both the Earthen
Materials proposal (referencing the recently revised ASTM standard that Bruce,
David in earlier years, and others worked so hard on) and the Straw-Clay
proposal I co-authored with Paula Baker-Laporte, had better chances. I
might propose them again in the upcoming Code Change Proposal phase (once IGCC
committee concerns are addressed).<br>
<br>
Much blood, sweat, and a few tears have gone into this SB code since
2003, when I began writing it at the request of the State of <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">California</st1:place></st1:State> (they asked Bruce, Bruce asked me
. . .). I’ve had very good input from others along the way,
including members of this list (David Eisenberg, Bruce King, Dan Smith, Bob
Theis, Tim Kennedy, John Swearingen, Bill Steen, Kelly Lerner) (apology if
I’ve missed anyone), and others not on this list, notably civil
engineering professor Mark Aschheim. <br>
<br>
Because it started as a <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">California</st1:place></st1:State>
code, and because there are great SB experts in northern CA where I live, the
code might be a bit California-centric (with particular attention to seismic
issues). However I’ve always wanted it to be broadly applicable and
I welcome broader, global input at this time. I expect to propose adjustments
during the next IGCC review phase. If it remains in the IGCC and goes the
way codes often do, some version of this might show up at your building
official’s door and then your strawbale door in Australia, South Africa,
or who knows where. And although I think there’s much to like, I
can almost guarantee you can find something you don’t like. So . .
.<br>
<br>
If you want to see and comment on the proposed code you can ask me to
e-mail the proposed SB code (by itself) to you as a word document, and then
e-mail me your comments or send it back with “track changes”. <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>OR </span></b>you can go to: <u><font
color=blue><span style='color:blue'><a
href="http://www.iccsafe.org/CS/IGCC/Pages/Comments0810.aspx">http://www.iccsafe.org/CS/IGCC/Pages/Comments0810.aspx</a></span></font></u>
, and download all Public Comments under the “Complete Document”
subheading (Strawbale Construction is Comment #5-136). You can then
e-mail your comments to <u>me</u> (<b><u><span style='font-weight:bold'>not</span></u></b>
to ICC). I’m also open to comments on #5-134 Straw-Clay, and #5-135
Earthen Materials. If you want to understand the IGCC process and schedule,
you can go to:<u><font color=blue><span style='color:blue'><a
href="http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/IGCC/Pages/PublicVersionDevelopment.aspx">http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/IGCC/Pages/PublicVersionDevelopment.aspx</a><br>
<br>
</span></font></u>In addition, I want to clarify that:<br>
<br>
</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<ul type=disc>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Strawbale is not yet in the IGCC. That’s
because it isn’t finalized (and SB could even be entirely removed). </span></font><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Even if included in the final version, the IGCC
applies only to commercial and high-rise residential, AND only in
jurisdictions that adopt the IGCC. So it would have limited
application. </span></font><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></li>
</ul>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><br>
That said, this approval is still a very good thing. And if it does
make it to the finish line of the IGCC, it would probably then migrate to the
IBC in the next code cycle, and then to a jurisdiction near you. I even
see the possibility of jurisdictions adopting it or informally using it for all
occupancies, even before reaching the IBC. John Swearingen’s report
of it already producing “instant results” for his project in <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Stanislaus</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> supports that notion, and is both
welcome and frightening. <br>
<br>
Finally, I want to acknowledge David Eisenberg and Matts Myhrman who
together forged the first SB code in Arizona in the early-mid 1990’s, and
to David again for speaking so convincingly on behalf of the current proposed
code at the recent hearing in Chicago. If you read his description of
what he said, you’ll see that he simply told the compelling truth about
the most relevant issues. It’s one of many things David does so
well. It’s nice when the compelling truth prevails (at least for
now).<br>
<br>
Thanks David, and thanks to all. And thanks to the enduring spirit
of strawbale!<br>
<br>
<font color="#888888"><span style='color:#888888'>Martin<br>
<br>
</span></font>PS - For a pre-IGCC history of this SB code, see my GSBN post on
Dec. 1, 2009. Reviewing that e-mail might also be used as a natural aid
to help you fall asleep. However, for me it is a riveting drama
(sometimes moving at the pace of a melting glacier . . . actually that’s
happening quite quickly these days!)<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
On 8/16/10 10:13 PM, "strawnet@aol.com"
<strawnet@aol.com> wrote:<br>
<br>
<br>
</span></font><font size=5><span style='font-size:18.0pt'>Hello all</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial'>,<br>
<br>
I want share some great news. Earlier today, here in <st1:City w:st="on">Chicago</st1:City>,
Martin Hammer's "comment"/proposal to include the strawbale code
he’s been working on over the past few years in <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">California</st1:place></st1:State> into the new International Green
Construction Code (IgCC) was approved by a committee vote of 8 to 6! The IgCC
is the new <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">US</st1:place></st1:country-region>
code for commercial (and high-rise residential) buildings that will become part
of the family of 2012 International Codes (I-codes). It will go through a full
code development cycIe with the rest of the 2012 I-codes next year and there is
work that will need to be done still to make sure it doesn’t get rejected
in that process, but getting it into the second public draft of the code now is
a very big step forward. <br>
<br>
I served on the drafting committee for this code from last summer through
the spring of this year. For more information about the IgCC and to download
the whole IgCC first public draft and the comments – including
Martin’s proposals for strawbale and earthen building and the EcoNest
comment in support of straw clay go here:<br>
<a href="http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/IGCC/Pages/default.aspx">http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/IGCC/Pages/default.aspx</a><br>
<a href="http://www.iccsafe.org/CS/IGCC/Pages/Comments0810.aspx">http://www.iccsafe.org/CS/IGCC/Pages/Comments0810.aspx</a><br>
You’ll find these listed as comments 5-134, 5-135 and 5-136.<br>
<br>
I was the only proponent speaking in favor of it here, and there were
others who spoke in opposition. The initial motion was to disapprove but it
failed 5 votes to 9 after considerable and very mixed discussion – which
surprised me because of the nature of some of the comments – that it was
still not ready and needed some technical fixes. <br>
<br>
The failure of the motion to disapprove required a new motion and Chris
Mathis, an old building science friend from <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">North Carolina</st1:place></st1:State>, offered a motion for
approval. That was followed by more discussion, with more concerns expressed
that it wasn't ready. Then, just before the second vote, Chris pressed the
committee to push the envelope. He said they should approve it and get it in,
and rather than just having the few people who are very knowledgeable about it
work on improving the things that still need to be done, “Let thousands
of people look at it and help improve it through the next round of the code
development process!” He said it was time to start pushing these things
through. Then they voted - and it passed 8 to 6! I was amazed and delighted! So
it is going into the second public draft! <br>
<br>
There were two other similar proposals (they’re called
“comments”) that were heard right before the strawbale comment. The
first, from Paula Baker Laport and Robert Laport proposed including the straw
clay guidelines fromNew <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mexico</st1:place></st1:country-region>.
Next was the other submitted by Martin, that one in support of earthen
construction based on the new ASTM standard for earthen wall systems that I had
initiated almost 10 years ago and Bruce King has spearheaded over the past few
years. I spoke in support of both, but they were disapproved, though both
received encouraging suggestions to bring them forward again after addressing
non-mandatory/permissive language and other issues. <br>
<br>
Because they were heard one after the other, and I was the only proponent
for them, I got to speak first for each one and so I had a total of 6 minutes
(2 minutes each) to frame them all in terms of the big issues I’ve been
speaking to for all these years, including the coming challenges of ever-more
limited and expensive energy, the low-impact, low-tech, climate beneficial,
local/regional benefits, the industrial/proprietary bias and difficulty in
funding research, testing and development for public domain, non-proprietary
materials and systems. I started off by talking about the fact that I had been
in buildings in <st1:place w:st="on">Europe</st1:place> built with materials
like straw clay and earth that are twice as old as this country! And to say
that these are durable and safe ways of building when done properly. And when
talking about the ASTM earthen standard, I said that if they looked at it they
might think that it was too low tech to be reasonable compared to the standards
that they’re used to for concrete and other industrial materials. But, I
said, It was intentionally low tech. That I was involved in initiating that standard
almost ten years ago and it was both to enable the use of those materials here
and to reverse the outlawing of earthen building in developing countries
through the adoption of modern industrial codes. That it was designed to enable
people to build safe, durable, healthy, and affordable buildings anywhere in
the world—including the in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region>. I mentioned that the
committee that developed that standard included the leading experts on earthen
building and engineering from around the world and was based on reviewing and
incorporating the best from international codes and standards for earthen
building. <br>
<br>
After the first two went down, I was quite convinced because of the
comments that the sb proposal would share the same fate and, thankfully, I was
wrong!<br>
<br>
So hats off to Martin, Bruce, Matts, and many others who have worked so
long and hard to develop these codes and to Chris Mathis for his leadership and
visionary action on the committee. <br>
<br>
Onward!<br>
<br>
David Eisenberg</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
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<br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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