Birk, David M. Mobile Homes. Opposing Views column. Fire and Arson Investigator. March 1989. p 45-47.

Abstract: This article responds to Barker Davie's article entitled "The Investigation of Mobile Home Fires." The author notes that flashover is a problem in many types of homes, not only or exclusively in mobile homes. In addition, the author cautions investigators not to throw out all the fire science princples used to guide the analysis of the fire flow because the laws of physics do not change. The "thermal inversion" phenomenon is likely attributable to the turbulence that accompanies flashover, and the methods by which the temperature data that Davie cites was recorded. The author provides an explanation of how the burning under furniture could have occurred due to convective heating. Davie's logic regarding heat transfer between interior walls and vinyl siding is also questioned. The author asks for explanation of the interesting glass phenomena that Davie observed.

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