The effect of compressed air foam on the detection of hydrocarbon fuels infire debris samples

In 1998/99 the New Zealand Fire Service implemented compressed air foam del ivery systems for the suppression of fires in rural areas. This study inves tigated whether the introduction of the foam to the seat of the fire create d any problems in subsequent analyses of fire debris samples. No significan t interferences from the foam were found when the samples were analysed by direct headspace using activated carbon strips. The only foam component det ected was limonene.