(A) Type of straw. Bales of various types of straw, including, but not limited to, wheat, rice, rye, barley, oats, and similar plants, shall be acceptable if they meet the minimum requirements for density, shape, moisture content, and ties.
(B) Shape. Bales shall be rectangular in shape.
(C) Dimensions. Bales used within a continuous wall shall be of consistent height and width to ensure even distribution of loads within wall systems.
(D) Ties. Bales shall be bound with ties of either polypropylene string or baling wire. Bales with broken or loose ties shall not be used unless the broken or loose ties are replaced with ties which restore the original degree of compaction of the bale.
(E) Moisture content. Moisture content of bales, at time of installation, shall not exceed 20% of the total weight of the bale. Moisture content of bales shall be determined by one of the following.
(1) Field method. A suitable moisture meter, designed for use with baled straw or hay, and equipped with a probe of sufficient length to reach the center of the bale, shall be used to determine the average moisture content of five bales randomly selected from the bales to be used.
(2) Laboratory method. A total of five samples, taken from the center of each of five bales randomly selected from the bales to be used, shall be tested for moisture content by a recognized testing lab.
(F) Density. Bales in load-bearing structures shall have a minimum calculated dry density of seven pounds per cubic foot. The calculated dry density shall be determined after reducing the actual bale weight by the weight of the moisture content, as determined in division (E) above. The calculated dry density shall be determined by dividing the calculated dry weight of the bale by the volume of the bale.
(G) Custom size bales. Where custom-made partial bales are used, they shall be of the same density, same string or wire tension, and, where possible, use the same number of ties as the standard size bales.
(Res. 96-17, passed 12-12-1996)