IRC Commentary
Finishing the IRC Hemp-Lime Appendix and Increasing its Value
In 2022, the Hemp-lime (Hempcrete) Construction Appendix BA was accepted by the International Code Council (ICC) to be included in the 2024 International Residential Code (IRC). The final step of the process is to write the IRC commentary.
The IRC Hemp-lime Appendix
The hemp building community took a giant leap forward as the IRC hemp-lime appendix was accepted into the 2024 version of the IRC code. The code language and reason statement were crafted by a team of experts and consultants. It was later reviewed by professionals from around the world including participants from 7 countries.
This is an important step on a journey to making hempcrete an option for widespread adoption in the construction of new homes. Professionals in the construction industry now have a guide as to what is required to build with hempcrete, and educational material can be developed to spread the requirements of the code.
Press Release and Related Articles
Hempcrete Proposal Wins Approval - Lancaster Farming Industrial Hemp Podcast
IRC Hemp-lime Appendix Submission and Supporting Documents - US Hemp Building Association
Hempcrete Approved for US Residential Building Codes - Hemp Build Mag
Hempcrete Gets a Boost in US Residential Building Code - Treehugger
Hemp-lime IRC Proposal Recommended for Approval - US Hemp Building Association
Hempcrete Approved for U.S. Residential Construction - Hemp, inc.
Hempcrete Approved for US Residential Building Codes! - US Hemp Building Association
Hempcrete Approved for Residential Construction in the United States - Veriheal
Hemp Building Materials Clear Hurdle for Inclusion in U.S. Building Codes - iHemp Michigan
Hempcrete Approved for U.S. Residential Construction - Ganjapreneur
The US Hemp Building Association Submits Hempcrete Insulation For Building Code Certification - The Cansumer
The IRC Hemp-lime Commentary
The HBI is proud to work with the same consulting team that helped write the IRC code language and the reason statement for the Hemp-lime appendix. The IRC commentary is utilized by the permitting officers and others at the highest levels of the code process to understand the accepted code language. The commentary explains the code language, the intent of the code, allows for compliance examples, further photographs and diagrams, and allows the mention of alternatives that could not be addressed in the code language.
Meet The Team
Jacob Waddell
The Hemp Building Institute - President
Mary Dempsey
Mpactful Ventures - Chief of Staff
Martin Hammer
Architect and Code Specialist
David Eisenberg
Development Center for Appropriate Technology - Executive Director
Anthony Dente
Verdant Structural Engineers - Principal