Fire Resistant Protection for Structural Bamboo

I have a question for my research, what would be the best preservation technique to use on structural bamboo? It needs to be fire resistant too. Will a boric acid-borax solution suffice? Or would an additional clear external intumescent coating help? What do you guys think? Thanks in advance. I appreciate the information you guys put here Guadua Bamboo.

Comments

Stéphane Schröder

Yes, boron is fire retardant but for even more protection you could use the following formula: boric acid / copper sulphate / zinc chloride / sodium dichromate : ratio 3:1:5:6 Recommended concentration is 25% for indoor and outdoor use.

---

Lily

Dear Stephane, how to apply the mixture of boric acid ? Must the bamboo be soaked in the mix? Or simply applied on the surface of the bamboo? Thank you very much.

---

Stéphane Schröder

Hello Lily, yes the bamboo poles should be submerged. The outer layer of bamboo doesn't absorb fluids, only the inner part.

---

Lily

Thanks for the answer, Stephane. I have more questions: how long should the bamboo be submerged? What is its level of fire resistance? If you have made a test, how did you test the bamboo?

---

Fray

Hello, I would like to know how much protection does the formula give to bamboo. I mean in terms of time and temperature? Have you made tests?