Cob: more info- international building code--CORRECTION

[Ocean]

Hi Amity and Coblist folks,

We did look up the IBC/UBC when we were developing plans for the cob oven,
which was built "under code".  The citation you referred to includes the
unfortunate and ugly requirement that the "unfired clay masonry" be
"STABILIZED", which Kiko and others from the Southwest have informed me
means adding completely nasty ASPHALT emulsion to "stabilize" cob...which we
and all other earthen builders around the world know to be completely stable
and safe to build with.

Amity, and all others, when we build the 500+ square foot Kiva on our land,
I followed Ianto's advice and didn't involve the building officials.  We
only involved the officials in our current restaurant project because it was
unavoidable.  These "building cops" are quite conservative, and don't care
whether cob seems viable or not, and until mechanical materials testing is
done to prove cob to be both stable and earth-quake proof.  Bear in mind
they can condemn any building which they deem unsafe and order its
destruction.  (Houses have been bulldozed!)

Some radicals in our neighborhood who want to live in cob have suggested
buying land with a mobile home on it, then building whatever you want.  The
only time you get in trouble this way is if the neighbors call you in...


> ok folks,
> here is a site where you can check and see if your state is currently
> operating under the international building code/ ubc...
> http://www.intlcode.org/stateadoptions.pdf
> 
> i spoke with some people in the county zoning office today, i think we
> are going to look for land and then contact the local municipality to
> see what happens.  maybe we can befriend the code officer and inundate
> him/her with information on cob.  when i spoke with the zoning officer
> today, i described this type of building as 'somewhat like adobe-
> created of clay, sand, water and soil'.  in the ubc it is referred to as
> unfired clay masonry.  *wink*  i think if we present this as something
> that is not that much different than what is happening in other places
> via masonry and straw bale housing, well maybe we can get somewhere.
> 
> nothing against straw bale housing at all, but i honestly don't
> understand why cob isn't recognized as a viable solution to housing...
> straw bales sound just plain wacko to the uneducated ear- as compared to
> 'unfired clay masonry'.  hee hee.
> 
> blessings,
> amity
> 
> -some things to think about...
> 1. you have a very special gift... but are you using it?
> 2. you are love.  love is the meaning of life.
> 3. you were not put here to fail.
> 4. the matching furniture and new curtains wont matter
> in 20 years.
> 
> Laugh Loud.
> Love Unconditionally.
> Share Your Blessings...
> Be who you Are.
> http://www.amitysworld.com
> 
>