[Cob] California and "Green Building Code"

[Dean Sherwin]

I totally agree with Howard's sentiments.  Cob can be included as a 
structurally sufficient material.  It takes a lot of work tho to get 
new stuff into code language.  The adobe people in New Mexico did a 
tremendous job in drafting a complete chapter for the UBC (previous 
building code) that was accepted as available for voluntary adoption 
by authorities, in NM, CA & CO I think.  Did not mean every inspector 
would accept it but it's there.  And so much easier that way.  Looks 
like noone in cob has been serious enough to address these issues.
However the issue originally mooted here, as regards Green and Energy 
codes, is a little different.  Cob has lousy thermal 
resistance.  Earth works well in New Mexico where you have hot days & 
cool nights (due to its thermal mass and slow response) , not well 
where temperatures are consistently hot or consistently cold.
That's why I suggest using it for either unheated structures - 
garages, outbuildings - or inside an insulated shell.  It can 
definitely be structural.
Energy codes and building codes are two different things.
Dean Sherwin

At 03:00 PM 9/23/2009, you wrote:

>I think this would be a completely wrong assumption/attitude to 
>enter into such a discussion with.  I could have said the same about 
>straw bale a while back.  The other thing is that many code people 
>are on our side, or at least are not opposed to earthen 
>construction, and are interested in learning about it.  Some may be 
>difficult but being difficult is often not insurmountable in my 
>experience, it just takes a bit more time.  I think all the 
>structural issues can be tested on site if necessary.  The code is 
>not intended to be interpreted to prevent the use of alternative 
>materials and a history of natural materials is well established.



Dean Sherwin CPE
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