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[Cob] FW: Cob Code Research Project, Plus ??'sShannon C. Dealy dealy at deatech.comWed Feb 9 01:36:32 CST 2005
On Tue, 8 Feb 2005, David Boyer wrote: Hi David, I think I can answer some of your questions. [snip] > with posting. Since I signed up to coblist 3 days ago I have got the > message "Bug in mailman version 2.1.4" when trying to access the > Coblist. And with viewing coblist archives I am only able to view the > yrs 1996-2003.... This was a one of a kind occurance. On very rare occasions there have been other problems with the list in the past (perhaps once every few years), and probably will be in the future. The newer list archives are tied into the same software that gave you the "Bug" message above, and so were unavailable until the problem was fixed. The newer archives are available again at: http://www.deatech.com/pipermail/coblist/ [snip] > 1.) Has a residential cob building ever been permitted in this county? To the best of my knowledge, no permitted "residential" cob structure has ever been built in Oregon. At least one has been permitted as an agricultural building. I am assuming here that you mean "load bearing" (i.e. the cob provides structural walls), I think I have heard of one or two that were built as post and beam with cob "infill" (which is typically how strawbale is done, and in my opinion a really bad idea for cob both from a structural and environmental perspective) > 2.) Is there an adobe provision/section of the code that can be > applied to cob construction in this jurisdiction? Oregon has adopted most if not all of the new International Building Code. The code with any Oregon modifications should be available at some libraries. Oregon has a fairly uniform statewide building code, there are provisions in the law which allow counties to override parts of the code under some circumstances, though whether or not the counties of interest have done so you would need to check (in my experience, they just use the code as-is). Frankly, since building officials from one county to the next do vary widely, this will probably be more important then the provisions of the building code, some will be supportive, others are obstructionists, and since the wording of the code is such that building officials are given almost absolute power (regardless of what and how you build), the attitude of the building officials will probably have far more impact then the actual local code. Last I heard, there was cob friendly building official in Linn County hoping for someone to come to him with plans for a cob building. > 3.) Is there an owner-builder provision in the code that can be > applied to permit cob? Owner-builder provisions in Oregon are fairly limited relative to what is available in many other states, I think most if not all of it is laid out here (unless there is more in the international building code which I haven't had time to sit down and read yet): http://www.leg.state.or.us/ors/455.html > 4.) What is the largest code-exempt residential structure allowed in > this jurisdiction? There is no such thing as a "code-exempt residential structure" in Oregon, there are provisions for unpermitted accessory/utility buildings with up to 200 interior square feet, check the code for specific requirements. Aside from code, there may also be restrictions on number and locations of such structures including things like property line setbacks. > 5.) What exactly would you require to permit a cob structure under the > "alternative materials, design and methods of construction" section of > the code? That is up to the building officials, typically it requires and architect or architectural engineer stamp the plans (which means they certify that the building meets code). > 6.) Is there any easy approach you can recommend to getting a cob > structure permitted here? (ha ha ha) Lots of money, good architectural engineer, good attorney, take a vacation while they fight it out :-) > 7.) Does this jurisdiction permit compost toilets? What are all the > permitted gray water and blackwater options? Last I checked, compost toilets could be allowed (and have been), but they won't let you do gray water other than a standard septic drain field (kind of defeats one major reason for a compost toilet). > 8.) What are your jurisdictional requirements and limits on living in > a travel trailer/motorhome on the property while building a cob > residence? I think there is a standard six or nine month limit, it's online somewhere (probably on the same state of oregon web site I referenced above). > 9.) Are insulative R-values required for a cob structure? Can a > thermal storage U-values be considered in lieu of, or in combination > with, R values? This one is going to be a little vague, the owner-builder stuff above could be interpreted to allow quite a bit of latitude in this area or not. Other aspects of the code require it for any permitted residential structure. > I intend to present to these local inspectors/officials some > position papers from the President of the ICBO about permitting natural > building processes (cob?). And I want to have some published engineering > data/literature to present defining/outlining the structural integrity > of cob (can anyone tell me where to find it?). This is in rather short supply, though a few people have been researching it at different Universities. The recent work at the University of British Columbia in Canada comes to mind in paticular, though I'm not sure what information is available from them. Check the coblist archives in the August-October 2004 range for some postings on this. > > One final question I have:does anyone know an engineer within a 75 > mile radius of Salem who is enthusiastic about cob or who has > certified/stamped/approved a cob building plan? Not aware of anyone local who really fills the bill, though some have expressed interest. The above is not intended to discourage you from contacting building officials, just to highlight what information is already available. You might also be interested in reading this: http://www.deatech.com/natural/articles/code_alternatives.html NOTE: I'm located in Philomath, Oregon. FWIW. Shannon C. Dealy | DeaTech Research Inc. dealy at deatech.com | - Custom Software Development - | Embedded Systems, Real-time, Device Drivers Phone: (800) 467-5820 | Networking, Scientific & Engineering Applications or: (541) 929-4089 | www.deatech.com
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