Also what's with the differing time in how long a torch burns ? Sometimes they last for ages other times they go out really quickly. It must have been far easier to simply make them all burn for say 570 seconds or something like that.
I think it depends what torch you pickup. If you pick up a lit one at the end of a dungeon, it's been burning for a while the whole you were down there in relation if you had picked up one in the beginning of the dungeon.
and just like in real life, not all torches are made equal. when I make one, typically it's a safe bet the fire department is going to pay me a visit.