[GSBN] Status of Straw Bale Construction and codes

[Kelly Lerner]

Total bummer, Martin. Thank you for all of your amazing work (and to everyone else involved)!
Perhaps this will pave the way for strawbale construction in the IRC and IBC. It is only a matter of time and I full expect to see it there so I don't have to read it on your tomb stone!

Kelly Lerner, Architect
One World Design Architecture
509-838-8812
www.one-world-design.com

Everyone does better when everyone does better.
Beautiful, Smart, Attainable, Sustainable

On Nov 9, 2011, at 4:10 PM, martin hammer wrote:

> 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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