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<TITLE>Re: [GSBN] Update, question re: proposed SB code (hay bales)</TITLE>
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<FONT FACE="Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'>Hello John,<BR>
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I cannot predict whether the a SB section in the IBC (used as the basis for building codes for most of and mostly in the US) will have consequences for codes in other countries. I suspect it will, but it’s impossible to know how much (if at all). No one I know of would be forcing it on Australia. Also, to clear up what might be misunderstanding, much of the language in the IBC (and the proposed SB chapter) is performance based.<BR>
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The proposed SB chapter requires a “registered design professional” to provide an engineered design for any structural use of straw bale walls. Next year I expect to submit a code proposal for the International Residential Code that would allow prescriptive non-engineered structural use of straw bale walls.<BR>
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Re: wheat straw vs. rice straw, in California (and other places) we prefer rice straw because it is more resistant to decay (though it is harder on tools). I know that rice straw is cut and baled from a live plant whereas wheat straw is cut and baled from a dead plant, and so has a tendency to be baled “greener”. But I haven’t seen rice bales with too high moisture content as a function of that in these parts.<BR>
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Thanks for your 2 bobs.<BR>
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Martin<BR>
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On 2/8/12 3:26 PM, "John Glassford" <<a href="jacksflat@gmail.com">jacksflat@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<BR>
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</SPAN></FONT><BLOCKQUOTE><FONT FACE="Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'>Morning Martin<BR>
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Thanks for all the hard work you are doing with this code. <BR>
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Are you able to let us know if this proposed section to the SB International Code in the USA will have any consequences for any other country codes? The Australian Building Codes Board has a performance based building code for buildings in Australia. I doubt that they would be in the mood for change. As long as the material proposed in a build measures up to their criteria that material can be used.<BR>
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We always employ a structural engineer to certify all our straw bale buildings in that they conform to the performance requirements of the Building Code of Australia. So far no worries.<BR>
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Re rice straw bales, I do my best to avoid using them as they do behave like hay bales or grass bales. They are much finer in stalk diameter and sometimes baled too green due to the way rice is grown. We prefer wheat straw at all times and anyway wheat is plentiful here and we have a large straw baling contractor who puts away several thousand small wheat straw bales every year for us. Just my 2 bobs worth.<BR>
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Thanks again for what you are doing. <BR>
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Kind regards<BR>
John Glassford<BR>
Huff 'n' Puff Constructions<BR>
<a href="http://www.glassford.com.au">http://www.glassford.com.au</a><BR>
61 2 6927 6027<BR>
In Australia (02) 6927 6027<BR>
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