Mr. Schultheis has worked in the field of Forensic Engineering & Fire Analysis since receiving his bachelor of sciences degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1972. Prior to completing his formal education, he served in the U.S. Navy in the engineering division, employed with Western Electric and Pacific Coast Engineering. His initial experience began in the field of Engineering & Fire Analysis with Factory Mutual Engineering, serving 6 years in the Boiler-Machinery and Fire Protection Engineering departments. In 1978 he joined the firm of A.P. Jasich Fire Analysis, serving 6 years as the firms senior project engineer and fire analyst.
In 1984 Mr. Schultheis opened his own firm serving Manufacturers, Law Firms and the Insurance industry. In the interim, he completed the Fire Protection Engineering Program at UCLA, plus numerous Engineering and Fire Investigation related seminars.
During his career in the industry, major fires analyzed, were the MGM Grand & Hilton Hotels, Las Vegas, NV, Equitable Building, Travelodge, Bunker Hill Towers, First Interstate Bank, Dorothy Maie Hotel & Wilshire/Devon Fires in Los Angeles. Regarding Electrical fires, major clients, are the Sunbeam Corporation, Rockwell International, Occidental Petroleum & Kodak DataTape Division. In the petrochemical industry, clients consist of Vangas, Amerigas, Mobile Oil & Suburban Propane. See CV for additional details.
In addition to being an Engineer in several disciplines, he is a Certified Fire Investigator, which is to the client’s advantage. Retaining outside assistance in determining the fire cause & origin, mechanism or product failure will not be required, therefore, a more attractive service bill. A laboratory facility for product analysis is maintained in-house.
See the attached CV for details regarding experience, education, clients served and testimony history.
Background
Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:A: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering California State University, Long Beach (1972)
National Board of Boiler & Pressure Vessel Inspectors (1972)
Safety Engineer - Licensed in California & City of Los Angeles (1972)
Fire Protection Engineering (Post Graduate) UCLA (1988)
Certified Fire Investigator, International Association of Arson Investigators (1999)
Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
A: Forensic Experts Association (FEA)
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
American College of Forensic Examiners (ACFE)
Institute for Forensic Experts (IFE)
National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE)
National Fire Protection Association NFPA)
American Society of Testing & Materials (ASTM)
National Board of Boiler & Pressure Vessel Inspectors (NB)
International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
California Conference of Arson Investigators (CCAI)
American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE)
National Propane Gas Association (NPGA)
Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
A: Metallurgy & Material Science - Factory Mutual Engineering
Behavior of Reflective Foil Insulation in a Fire Environment - South Coast Plaza Hotel
Anatomy of an Electrical Fire - McGraw Hill Publications, New York
Anatomy of an Electrical Fire - National Electrical Manufacturers Assoc., Las Vegas
High Rise Fire Protection Systems - International Association of Arson Investigators – Las Vegas
Fire Protection in Semi-Conductor Facilities -C.S.U.L.A.
Smoke Movement Control in high-rise Buildings - UCLA, UCI & WVCA
Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
A: No
Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
A: Approximately 3,500.
Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
A: Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Fuel Gas Systems and Fire Analysis.
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
A: Approximately 25%
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
A: Approximately 75%
Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
A: Approximately 300.
Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
A: June 1, 2003
Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
A: Approximately 100.
Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
A: Approximately 100.
Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
A: Approximately 1,500
Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
A: Site inspections, Engineering Analysis, testing, consulting and reports.
Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
A: Rate schedule available on request.
Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
A: Rate schedule available on request.
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
A: Rate schedule available on request.
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
A: Rate schedule available on request.
Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
A: Rate schedule available on request.
