[Cob] paracrete

[Quinn]

Isn't cob itself fireproof?

Has this fellow tested the Paracrete for off-gassing?  Has it been  
tested for off-gassing during a fire?

I would think that the external facade of his slabs would melt/  
dissolve under the intense heat of a California fire, being that  
they're paint and styrofoam specks.  That would leave the fire to  
burn/ melt the next level, etc.  You might have a 'scaffold' of  
portland cement left after a fire.  But you'd have probably choked to  
death from the toxins in the meanwhile.  Just guessing.

I guess you could call me a Purist.  (Unless I'm wrong about the  
fireproof qualities of cob?  Don't we make ovens out of it?)
Quinn

Prayer to a garden plant (India)—

“In you I will assume the cosmos resides and I will pay you reverence.”
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:52:08 -0800
> From: Charmaine Taylor <dirtcheapbuilderbooks at gmail.com>
> Subject: [Cob] peanuts in clay- Rastra
>
>
> Tyn asked about peanuts... the commercial product Rastra block is a  
> slurry
> of chopped up styrofoam ( basic peanuts   materials)  in a cement  
> slip.
>  it is ugly as sin, but if  peanuts are crumbled in slipped  clay I  
> dont see
> why it cant provide a small level of base insulation ( but NOT the  
> 3000 psi
> you get with poured cement) with the styro in the cement the psi is  
> prolly
> lower anyway.
>
>
> also the  inventor in MI who create Paracrete used  styro DUST--  
> smaller
> than beads this waste is mixed with cement and additive ( waste  
> paint) and
> makes a fireproof highly insulated mix.
>
> not reason why you cant try  crushed peanuts and clay mix in  
> blocks, with
> maybe some straw fiber or manure for fiber and glue to hold it.
>
> of course adding a commercial waste materials to natural clay is a  
> no no for
> purists of cob, but pick your battles.
>
> the problems with peanuts and  eps dust flakes is they tend to have  
> static
> and float or cling  in water..  when you add liquid soap and other  
> things to
> de-cling the material it will mix into the clay.
>
>  for non purists  interested in Paracrete you can read more about  
> what this
> inventor did at my site.  he lives in an intentional community and  
> wanted to
> make a no burn home after having fires  devastate them
> http://www.dirtcheapbuilder.com/pabubooncd.html
> -- 
> Ms. Charmaine  Taylor/ Taylor Publishing
> Toll Free Order: 1-888-441-1632
> www.dirtcheapbuilder.com   www. papercrete.com
> PO Box 375, Cutten CA 95534
>
> ------------------------------
>