Section BJ103 — BALES — 2025 California Residential Code (Title 24, Part 2.5)

BJ103.1 Shape. ¶

BJ103.1 Shape. Bales shall be rectangular in shape, except for partial bales made to fill nonrectangular spaces in accordance with Section BJ103.6.

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BJ103.2 Size. ¶

BJ103.2 Size. Bales shall have a height and thickness of not less than 12 inches (305 mm), except as otherwise permitted or required in this appendix. Bales used within a continuous wall shall be of consistent height and thickness to ensure even distribution of loads within the wall system. See Figure BJ103.2 for approximate dimensions of common straw bales. FIGURE BJ103.2—APPROXIMATE DIMENSIONS OF COMMON STRAW BALES For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.

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BJ103.3 Ties. ¶

BJ103.3 Ties. Bales shall be confined by synthetic fiber, natural fiber or metal ties sufficient to maintain required bale density. Ties shall be not less than 3 inches (76 mm) and not more than 6 inches (152 mm) from the two untied faces and shall be spaced not more than 12 inches (305 mm) apart. Bales with broken ties shall be retied with sufficient tension to maintain required bale density.

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BJ103.4 Moisture content. ¶

BJ103.4 Moisture content. The moisture content of bales at the time of application of the first coat of plaster or the installation of another finish shall not exceed 20 percent of the weight of the bale. The moisture content of bales shall be determined with a moisture meter designed for use with baled straw or hay, equipped with a probe of sufficient length to reach the center of the bale. Not less than 5 percent and not fewer than 10 bales shall be randomly selected and tested.

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BJ103.5 Density. ¶

BJ103.5 Density. Bales shall have a dry density of not less than 6.5 pounds per cubic foot (104 kg/cubic meter). The dry density shall be calculated by subtracting the weight of the moisture in pounds (kg) from the actual bale weight and dividing by the volume of the bale in cubic feet (cubic meters). Not less than 2 percent and not fewer than five bales shall be randomly selected and tested on-site.

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BJ103.6 Partial bales. ¶

BJ103.6 Partial bales. Partial bales made after original fabrication shall be retied with ties complying with Section BJ103.3. on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER. APPENDIX BJ — STRAWBALE CONSTRUCTION

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BJ103.7 Types of straw. ¶

BJ103.7 Types of straw. Bales shall be composed of straw from wheat, rice, rye, barley or oat. The dry stems of other cereal grains or similar crops shall be acceptable where approved by the building official. Bales shall not be composed of hay.

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BJ103.8 Orientation of bales. ¶

BJ103.8 Orientation of bales. Straw bales shall be placed laid flat, on-edge or on end in accordance with this appendix.

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