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Straw as a Building Material  Supplemental informationPage 1 Page 2
Fire Straw is obviously flammable. However, fire requires oxygen and compressing straw greatly reduces availability of oxygen. Plastered surfaces further reduce fire risk. The combination of plaster and compressed straw make a highly fire-resistant wall. In straw bale structures, very few fires have been reported, most happening during construction, with loose straw on the ground and unplastered bales. Some safety measures: 1. Remove loose straw regularly.
2. Take extra precaution around straw. 3. Plaster as soon as possible. A straw bale ASTM fire test report can be accessed at www.ecobuildnetwork.orgAcoustics Straw works very well as an acoustic insulator. The combination of a straw wall interior sandwiched between two plasters that aren't too stiff makes an excellent acoustic barrier. Insects and other critters Plastered straw walls are not very accommodating to insects and other critters. In straw bale construction insect problems are linked to moist bales. Eliminate moist bales and the insects will disappear. In North America there is only one termite species (Gnathamitermes perplexus) that eats straw and it is located in the Southwest. Reports indicate that this species will only eat straw if it is encased in mud (earthen plaster and adobe are vulnerable to the termite). There are no instances of mice or larger creatures infesting a plastered straw wall. |
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