Cob: code cob - building permits

[j. gann]

Will check into the code about insulation.
 As far as soil content, it appears my soil would only
need a small amount of sand which is readily
available.
 The real issue which has been discussed a lot lately
is code approval. I have talked to several building
departments and here is my understanding.
 The counties will let you build out of anything if it
is engineered assuming it meets zoning, sanitation
etc. It must meet or equal the minimum code for shear,
load, seizmic,wind, etc. The engineer must show
calculations to support this. In other words it is up
to the builder/owner to prove it with scientific data.
NO Problem IF you have lots of MONEY !
 This situation faces a lot of people wanting to build
their own home or use alternative materials and/or
methods.  
  The other side is : The county officials who were
elected by the voting residents have been given the
responsibility to oversee building safety and health.
Plus, due to lawsuits against the county (taxpayers) ,
the county must cover its liability by
referring/deferring it  to a licenced engineer.




--- Darel Henman <henman at it.to-be.co.jp> wrote:
> California's building code, does not require
> insulation if you have a
> high thermal mass wall over 10 or 13 " I believe.  I
> read this about two
> years ago.  It's in California's building code. 
> Probably under
> alternative buildings, sub-category, residential use
> buildings.  Does
> California still have this code?
> 
> What was your soil like?  Near the Sacramento river
> is a lot of clay
> soil, and in the mountians near Shasta a more sandy
> soil, from what I
> remember.
> 
> Darel
> 
> "j. gann" wrote:
> > 
> > I have been doing soil samples of my soil with and
> > with out straw. A friend of mine came by with part
> of
> > a 3D panel he is using on a gunite project ;so we
> did
> > different cob mixes on the panel. Very
> interesting. I
> > guess it would not be considered green enough for
> some
> > people but for those of us who are seeking code
> > buildings without stick built it offers some
> > interesting posibilities. Code insulation and
> > reinforcement for cob ? Maybe ?
> www.3-dpanelworks.com
> > ,also fcn.org
> > 
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