Strawbale fire test

On the 4th of Juli 2003 strawbale building took a big step in Germany: a fire test, "F90", was done in a material-research-institute in Braunschweig. We were there with our camera, following the course of the test. A strawbale wall, plastered with clay on both sides, was heated up to about 1000 degerees celsius, for 90 minutes.
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The plasered strawbale wall in front of a huge oven: Temperature sensers - they give information about the amount of heat coming through the thick wall. A view inside the oven: the oil burners are heating up the strawbale wall to 1000 degrees celsius! The technical assistant in charge observes the course of the test. For example, to check if the clay on the inside, shows any cracks.
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In the control chamber all important data are stored: temperature, movement or bulging of the wall, etc. A fire is simulated: the fire becomes hotter and hotter, the longer the burners are running. After 30 minutes the first goal is achieved: the F30 fire resistance level is reached without a problem. The test proceeds, 90 min are the next goal.
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A crack on the interior side of the wall: after more than 30 minutes this still can´t endanger the success of the test. The front side of the wall: the wall is smoking a little, but it won´t burn for a long time yet. That´s because there is not enough oxygen. It´s like trying to burn a telephone book. Dirk Scharmer, architect and chariman of the German strawbale association, observes the test. He commissioned this fire test.
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The temperature sensers on the outside of the wall hardly notice any temperature change through the thick strawbale walls. After 50 - 60 Minutes there are more and more cracks in the plaster. But the wall remains stable. Just a little smoke, that´s all.
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After 90 minutes it´s done! Strawbale architect Dirk Scharmer is happy! After 90 minutes the strawbale wall has succeeded in the test. All criteria were fulfilled successfully!  
REQUIRED TEST CONDITIONS: TEST RESULT:
A maximum rise of temperature of 180 Kelvin on the outside part of the wall Hardly any rise of temperature The outside part of the wall was heated by less than 10 degrees celsius, while on the inside there were 1000 degrees!
The wall mustn´t show too much smoke or any fire coming through the wall. No smoke. (the smoke on the corners is because of the the test frame and therefore doesn´t count)
Stability of the wall: the load put on it must be carried through the whole length of the test. Hardly any change in shape, all loads were carried during 90 minutes.
Written test results (in German) can be downloaded from the website of the German Strawbale Association. www.fasba.de

Next test: loadbearing test, University Magdeburg