Licensed Professional Engineer
Mechanical PE - CA, NV, OR, WA, AZ
Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator
National Association of Fire Investigators
OUR SERVICES
Structure Fire Origin & Cause Investigations
Determining the cause of a structure fire requires more than identifying the area with the greatest damage. Fire patterns, electrical and mechanical systems, appliances, fuel sources, witness information, and physical evidence must be evaluated together to understand how the fire developed.
Bona Fide Forensics conducts systematic examinations of fire-damaged structures to determine the area of origin, identify and evaluate potential ignition sources, and develop conclusions supported by the available physical evidence and engineering analysis.
Investigations may involve residential homes, apartments, commercial buildings, workshops, garages, outbuildings, and other structures.
Common fire scenarios include:
✓ Electrical equipment and wiring
✓ Appliances and consumer products
✓ Cooking equipment
✓ Heating systems and space heaters
✓ Furnaces and HVAC equipment
✓ Fireplaces, wood stoves, and chimneys
✓ Gas-fired appliances
✓ Batteries and charging equipment
✓ Smoking materials and open flames
✓ Installation or maintenance issues
OUR APPROACH
Our Fire Investigation Process
A methodical, evidence-based, NFPA 921-based approach from scene to conclusion
1. Examine Scene
Evaluate fire patterns, damage, potential ignition sources, and relevant electrical or mechanical conditions.
2. Documentation
Document scene conditions and significant evidence through photographs, notes, measurements, and diagrams.
3. Origin Analysis
Evaluate fire patterns and physical evidence to identify the area of origin and test competing hypotheses.
4. Evaluate Potential Ignition Sources
Identify and examine possible ignition sources within the area of origin.
5. Examine & Test Evidence
Preserve and examine relevant components through joint inspection, disassembly, or testing when needed.
6. Findings and Technical Analysis
Evaluate scene findings and testing results to develop clear, technically supported conclusions.
EVIDENCE MATTERS
Evidence Preservation & Subrogation Support
Fire losses may involve product failures, installation issues, maintenance concerns, or other conditions that create potential subrogation opportunities.
Early identification and preservation of relevant evidence can be critical. Photographs, witness information, fire department records, equipment information, and other materials can also help guide the initial investigation. See our guide to information to gather before a fire investigation for additional details.
Services may include:
✓ Product identification
✓ Documentation before removal
✓ Evidence collection and preservation
✓ Chain-of-custody documentation
✓ Secure evidence storage
✓ Coordination of joint examinations
✓ Participation in destructive examinations
✓ Documentation of testing and component disassembly
When potentially responsible parties are identified, examinations can be coordinated to allow their representatives an opportunity to participate when appropriate.
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
Engineering Evaluation of Fire Causes
Some fire investigations involve questions that extend beyond basic origin determination.
A component may need to be evaluated to determine why it failed, whether an installation condition contributed to the fire, or whether a mechanical or electrical system was operating as intended.
Our engineering background allows the investigation to extend into issues involving:
✓ Electrical and mechanical equipment
✓ Fuel-fired appliances
✓ Heating systems
✓ Plumbing and gas systems
✓ Mechanical component failures
✓ Installation conditions
✓ Maintenance and repair history
✓ Product-related failures
When necessary, the structure fire investigation can be coordinated with additional component testing or engineering analysis.
DELIVERING RESULTS
Clear, Defensible Findings
Our goal is to provide clients with conclusions that are understandable, technically supported, and useful in making claim, subrogation, or litigation decisions.
Depending on the needs of the assignment, our work may include:
✓ Scene inspection
✓ Origin and cause analysis
✓ Photographic documentation
✓ Review of photographs and records
✓ Electrical and mechanical system evaluation
✓ Evidence collection and storage
✓ Joint examinations
✓ Component testing
✓ Engineering analysis
✓ Verbal consultation
✓ Written reports
✓ Deposition and litigation support
✓ Expert witness testimony
The scope of each assignment can be tailored to the needs of the client and the complexity of the loss.
MEET KIRK LUMAYE
Experienced Fire Investigator and Forensic Engineer
Bona Fide Forensics combines fire investigation with an engineering approach to failure analysis.
Our investigations are led by a licensed Professional Engineer with more than a decade of experience investigating fires, property losses, mechanical failures, and insurance claims.
This combination of fire-scene investigation and engineering analysis is particularly valuable when a loss involves appliances, electrical or mechanical equipment, heating systems, product failures, or questions regarding installation and maintenance.
Our mission is simple: Seek the truth through honest and thorough investigation.
- Kirk LuMaye, PE
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SERVICE AREA
Fire Investigation Services Across California and the West
Bona Fide Forensics provides forensic engineering and fire investigation services throughout Northern California and Southern California, with regular travel for assignments in Reno and Northern Nevada.
We also accept engineering and fire investigation assignments throughout Arizona, Oregon, and Washington, and travel as needed to support losses across the western United States.
QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Frequently Asked Questions
READY TO GET STARTED?
Have a Structure Fire to Investigate?
Early involvement can help preserve physical evidence, identify potential subrogation issues, and determine whether additional parties or specialized testing should be considered.
Contact Bona Fide Forensics to discuss the fire, available evidence, scene conditions, and the technical questions that need to be addressed.