Fire resistance of biomass ash panels used for internal partitions in buildings

The main purpose of this study has been to develop fire-resistant panels with a high biomass ash ratio (from the combustion of olive pomace) at an industrial scale to be used in different fire-resistant internal partitions in buildings and industrial constructions. To this end, fire resistance, thermal and mechanical parameters were measured. The panels (100×60 cm by 4 cm thick) were prepared following an easy manufacturing technique. The results of this study show that biomass ash panels can be fabricated at large scale easily to give products with thermal and mechanical properties reproducing those previously found in smaller test pieces. The product here studied in the form of low-density panels (800 kg/m3) has a great potential for an industrial use, showing similar properties to those found in commercial gypsum plasterboard, a material of generalised use for this type of application. Thus, among other panel characteristics, a thermal conductivity of 0.256 W/m K (25 °C) and a fire resistance of 78 min were measured in standard conditions by an accredited Spanish fire resistance laboratory for panels showing a compressive strength of 1.24 MPa, and a flexural strength of 1.78 MPa.