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Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: LOGON: FIREPROOF HOMES
HEADLINE: Unfired earth blocks surpass modern building codes
TEASER: Mud bricks making more sustainable homes
PUBLISHED: 7/09/2024 at 8:30AM
BYLINE: Shelley Schlender
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Superior, Colorado
VIDEOGRAPHER: Shelley Schlender
VIDEO EDITOR:
ASSIGNING EDITOR: Stearns
SCRIPT EDITORS: Stearns, Sharon Shahid
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, Storyblocks, YouTube/West Metro Fire Rescue
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO _X_
TRT: 1:55
VID APPROVED BY: Reifenrath
TYPE: TVR
EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO:)) A new homebuilding method with ancient roots in adobe offers protection from wildfires, earthquakes, high winds and floods, while being climate friendly and sustainable. The secret ingredient: compressed earth blocks made from mud. Shelley Schlender has the story in this week’s episode of LogOn from Superior, Colorado.
((NARRATOR))
New houses are going up all over Superior, Colorado, where two years ago,
((NARRATOR)) ((Courtesy: You Tube + West Metro Fire Rescue))
high winds fueled wildfires that burned down over 1,000 homes.
((NATS: “Marshall. A structure is about to be overtaken”)) ((end courtesy))
((NARRATOR))
Most new home construction uses common, flammable material.
((Narrator))
But this new house is made from compressed earth blocks that will not burn. Engineer Lisa Morey.
((Lisa Morey, Engineer))
“So, the client called me and said that he was triggered still by strong — the sound of strong winds — and wanted a home that was obviously fire-resistant or fireproof, even.”
((NARRATOR))
Morey is the founder of Nova Terra, which makes compressed earth blocks from slightly muddy soil that’s rich in sand and clay. For “glue,” they add the mineral lime. This crumbly mix goes into a hopper that presses down then presto! — a freshly minted compressed earth block. Blocks cure in the air for a month, then they’re ready.
((NARRATOR))
At a building site near the city of Longmont, Morey’s crews leave a space between rows of blocks . . . space to fill with insulation. Rebar within the stone walls makes them earthquake resistant.
((Lisa Morey, Engineer))
“So, it’s going to maintain its strength in the hundreds if not thousands of years I hope this building will be standing.”
((NARRATOR))
Back in Superior, compressed earth block homeowner Matteo Rebeschini ((Mah-TAY-oh Reh-beh-SKEE-nee)) says he’ll ((Courtesy: You Tube + West Metro Fire Rescue))
never forget how roaring wind shook his wood-framed house. Then came the fire. Then he ran for his life. ((end courtesy)) He says his new earth block home restores his peace of mind.
((Matteo Rebeschini, Homeowner))
“So, this methodology of construction, the house will not shake, you will not feel the wind from inside the house, even if it’s very windy outside.”
((NARRATOR))
Building on the strength of modernized adobe construction and the wisdom that ((Courtesy: You Tube + West Metro Fire Rescue))
dirt does not burn. ((end courtesy))
((Shelley Schlender, VOA News, Superior, Colorado))
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