Hempcrete Wall Product Earns One-Hour Fire Resistance Rating from ASTM International

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

The ASTM E119 test is intended to evaluate the duration for which the types of building elements contain a fire, retain their structural integrity, or exhibit both properties during a predetermined test exposure. Americhanvre said the successful test “will help to unlock a variety of larger-scale commercial projects for the Ereasy system in the United States!” 

The product tested was a 12-inch-thick wall assembly using the Ereasy hempcrete system, using lime plaster on both the interior and exterior faces.  

“The exterior face of this panel with the sensors was completely undamaged through the one hour firing at 1700 degrees F as well as the subsequent hose stream test. … The panel was placed under load … and the exterior face never rose a single degree above ambient temperature! Incredibly compelling results!” — Americhanvre in a Facebook post

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 could consider hempcrete for commercial projects next year.