A step-by-step tour of our ISPM-15 certified heat treatment process — from loading to stamping.
Our heat treatment kiln is one of the few certified ISPM-15 facilities in the Oakland area. Here's exactly how the process works, from start to finish.
Step 1: Loading. Pallets are stacked inside the kiln chamber on a rolling cart system. We can process up to 400 standard pallets per cycle. Pallets are spaced to allow even heat distribution.
Step 2: Heating. The kiln is sealed and heated using natural gas burners. Temperature probes are inserted into the core of sample pallets at various positions. The target: 56°C (132.8°F) at the core of the thickest piece of wood.
Step 3: Hold. Once the core temperature reaches 56°C, we maintain it for a minimum of 30 continuous minutes. This is monitored in real-time by our kiln operator, with data logged electronically for compliance records.
Step 4: Cool-down. After the hold period, the kiln is opened and pallets are allowed to cool naturally. This prevents rapid temperature change that could cause wood splitting.
Step 5: Stamping. Each treated pallet receives the official IPPC stamp: the HT treatment code, our facility number, and the US country code. This stamp is your proof of compliance at any customs checkpoint worldwide.
The entire cycle takes 6–8 hours. We run cycles daily, so standard turnaround for heat treatment orders is 2–3 business days.