[GSBN] Update, question re: proposed SB code (hay bales)

[martin hammer]

Hi Derek,

The code proposal doesn¹t define hay.  When words are not defined in the
code, they have ³ordinarily accepted meanings such as the context implies.²
A short dictionary definition of hay is ³cut and dried grass².  Which is a
rather cut and dried definition.

Straw is defined in the code proposal as ³The dry stems of cereal grains
after the seed heads have been removed.² (Though the allowed straw is
currently limited to five cereal grains - wheat, rice, rye, barley, and oat)
(am I missing any that anyone uses?)

Even without hay being defined in the code, I don¹t think hay vs. straw is
as fuzzy as you suggest.  However, I might ask ICC for their opinion on
whether hay should be defined.

Martin 


On 2/8/12 5:13 PM, "Derek Roff" <derek at unm.edu> wrote:

> How does the code proposal define hay?  Hay vs. straw is a fuzzy distinction,
> especially if you want to compare current agricultural products with those of
> a hundred years ago.  The use of synthetic fertilizers and new grain varieties
> make historical comparisons less valuable for code work, in my opinion.
> Anything grown with a high dose of synthetic fertilizer is likely to be more
> subject to spontaneous combustion.
> 
> Derelict
> 
> Derek Roff
> derek at unm.edu
> 
> On Feb 8, 2012, at 4:04 PM, martin hammer wrote:
> 
>> Hello all,
>> 
>> After resubmitting the proposed SB code to the International Code Council
>> last week, I received their comments and will submit final revisions on
>> Monday.
>> 
>> 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 (we¹ll 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).
>> 
>> One other question for input:
>> 
>> Prohibit use of baled hay?  (That¹s what the proposed code currently says.)
>> 
>> This is the conventional wisdom, but weren¹t 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 ³grasses²)?
>> 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.
>> 
>> Thanks
>> 
>> Martin (what the hay) Hammer
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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