Evaluación experimental de la reacción al fuego de paneles de caña guadua en viviendas tradicionales de la costa ecuatoriana

Valeria De Los Ángeles Jiménez-Tenorio; Andrés Hidalgo; Víctor Espín Guerrero; Mayra Alexandra Viscaíno-Cuzco; Bolívar Paredes-Beltran

doi:10.56124/finibus.v9i17.003

Authors

Valeria De Los Ángeles Jiménez-Tenorio Universidad Técnica de Ambato
Andrés Hidalgo Universidad Técnica de Ambato
Víctor Espín Guerrero Universidad Técnica de Ambato
Mayra Alexandra Viscaíno-Cuzco Universidad Técnica de Ambato
Bolívar Paredes-Beltran Universidad Técnica de Ambato

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56124/finibus.v9i17.003

Keywords:

Guadua bamboo, Traditional construction, Reaction to fire, Small flame test, Lightweight housing

Abstract

Guadua bamboo is a plant-based material widely used in traditional housing and lightweight construction systems in the coastal region of Ecuador, due to its local availability, low cost, and favorable mechanical properties. However, its fire performance remains a critical aspect requiring technical assessment under controlled conditions. This study aims to experimentally evaluate the reaction-to-fire behavior of Guadua bamboo panels used in traditional housing in coastal Ecuador, through the small flame test in accordance with NTE INEN-ISO 11925-2. Physical and mechanical characterization of the material was conducted, along with the analysis of flame spread, thermal behavior, and carbonization index. The results show that none of the specimens exhibited significant flame propagation or sustained combustion for exposure times of 30 and 120 seconds, in both edge and surface tests. Additionally, low carbonization values indicate a progressive thermal degradation of the material. Overall, the findings associate Guadua bamboo panels with a limited contribution to fire, supporting their technical viability for lightweight construction applications in traditional buildings when appropriate fire safety design criteria are applied.

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