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<TITLE>Re: [GSBN] Update, question re: proposed SB code (hay bales)</TITLE>
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<BLOCKQUOTE><FONT FACE="Arial"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:13.0px'>Yes, it’s said that some of builders of the “historic” bale buildings in Nebraska used hay - most probably would have been prairie meadow hay, presumably not alfalfa hay. And prairie meadow hay as I understand it could be any combination of grasses or </SPAN><FONT SIZE="2"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:12.0px'>“<FONT COLOR="#212121">herbaceous plants</FONT></SPAN></FONT><FONT COLOR="#212121"><FONT SIZE="4"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:16.0px'>” </SPAN></FONT><FONT SIZE="2"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:12.0px'>available at the time, perhaps different than what’s growing in the meadows these days. I’ve read or have been told that wetland reeds and perhaps even cattails might have been used as well.<BR>
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We used timothy grass and a combination of wheat and timothy grass bales for a project here in Nebraska. The timothy grass compressed well and the bales were very dense. Don’t know how they are faring now but could check on it.<BR>
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Joyce<BR>
Nebraska Straw Bale Lady<BR>
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Hello all,<BR>
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After resubmitting the proposed SB code to the International Code Council last week, I received their comments and will submit final revisions on Monday.<BR>
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Thank you to those who gave input re: clay plaster in the proposed SB section of the International Building Code. There was a mix of opinion, sometimes in direct conflict. I used some of the suggested changes. I generally loosened the language (we’ll see how much vagueness is accepted without challenge) and eliminated any required percentage of clay. I still welcome clay plaster input from those who expressed initial interest, but whose busy lives probably got in the way (but asap please). Particular thanks to Graeme North who gave input on the entire proposed code (as he did in a past iteration).<BR>
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One other question for input:<BR>
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Prohibit use of baled hay? (That’s what the proposed code currently says.)<BR>
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This is the conventional wisdom, but weren’t some of the first buildings in Nebraska built with hay bales (some still standing?), or has anyone successfully used hay bales (or bales with other non-straw “grasses”)? Yesterday I had a discussion with a California rice farmer who bales straw and alfalfa hay. He says that apart from the notion that hay is more subject to degradation, hay is 2 to 3 times as expensive so is much less likely to be used as a building material. Regarding the notorious proclivity for stacks of hay bales to spontaneously combust, in addition to witnessing that, he has twice seen a stack of rice straw bales spontaneously combust.<BR>
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Thanks<BR>
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Martin (what the hay) Hammer<BR>
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