Let’s look at the difference between the two. You agree that in 30 minutes at 298ºF smoldering ignition of wood can take place. You are not willing to believe that a 2x12 heated for off and on several years at 170ºF can cause the same condition because you do not have laboratory conformation. With that being said and your reliance on test data to support your opinion, let me ask what testing you have that supports your opinion that 170ºF applied to a 2x12 over several years will not allow ignition of the wood to take place. Has any test been conducted with wood being subjected to this temperature for several years? Right now, all you have to my knowledge is wood in an oven short time in comparison to the several years and you are relying on that data to support your opinion. How can it be any certainty as to the accuracy of the test if one does not conduct a test that replicates the conditions that actually took place?

Jim Mazerat
Forensic Investigations Group