The Wall That Can Withstand 1700°F And Cut $10B In Losses: Fire-Resistant Hempcrete Now Certified

Did you know that residential fires in the USA cost $10.8 billion in 2022 alone? A new hempcrete wall product, recently rated for one-hour fire resistance, could help reduce these staggering losses.

Americhanvre Cast Hemp Achieves Milestone

A wall product produced by Americhanvre Cast Hemp using easy spray hempcrete has received a one-hour fire resistance rating from ASTM International. In a July 15 Facebook post, the Pennsylvania-based company announced it is "the first time a full-scale ASTM E119 test has been performed on a hempcrete wall section."

House Fires In The USA

In 2022, there were 374,300 residential building fires in the USA, resulting in 2,720 deaths, 10,250 injuries, and $10.8 billion in property losses. Over ten years (2013-2022), the USFA reported residential fires decreased by 4%, while deaths increased by 1%. Cooking was the leading cause of home fires in 2022, accounting for 47.5% of incidents.

Understanding The ASTM E119 Test

The ASTM E119 test evaluates how long building elements can contain a fire and retain structural integrity during a predetermined test exposure. Americhanvre noted that this successful test could unlock larger-scale commercial projects for the Ereasy system in the United States.

Also read: How South Dakota Became The US's Top Hemp Producer In Just Three Years

Test Details And Results

The product tested was a 12-inch-thick wall assembly using the Ereasy hempcrete system, with lime plaster on both faces. The panel remained undamaged through a one-hour firing at 1700 degrees Fahrenheit and a subsequent hose stream test. It did not rise above ambient temperature, as calculated by Verdant Structural.

Future Implications For Hempcrete

In 2023, hempcrete was approved as a non-structural wall infill system for the model U.S. residential building code by the International Code Council. The International Building Code might consider hempcrete for commercial projects next year.

Significance Of The ASTM E119 Test

The ASTM E119 test measures the fire resistance of building materials by exposing them to controlled fire conditions. It assesses how long materials can contain a fire and maintain structural integrity. This test includes applying a standard fire hose stream to evaluate the material's resistance to both fire and water, crucial for predicting performance in real-world scenarios.

Also read: No More Getting High On Hemp In America? Multiple States Begin Intoxicating Hemp Crackdown

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