Last updated: February 24, 2020
As a collector, your job has a direct bearing on the course another person’s life is about to take, so it’s critical that your BAT device is calibrated. There should be no risk whatsoever that the breathalyzer unit used for testing is malfunctioning and could be giving incorrect results.
If you are a sample collector, three questions are extremely important!
- Do you have a scheduled time each year to review and calibrate your BAT machines?
- Do you send in your machines to Lifeloc for maintenance?
- Do you know why you should?
If you are a sample collector, those three questions are extremely important!
And, by the way, if you resoundingly answered “Yes!” to them without a moment’s hesitation, we applaud you!
But, life gets hectic whether at work or at home and time flies by, doesn’t it? There are times when we put things off with the plan of getting to it ASAP, just not right now. But, after we’ve put something on the back burner, time has a way of passing right on by. If we aren’t careful, it’s not just days, but weeks or even months that pass before we realize something has been simmering on the to-do list for quite a while.
That should never be the case regarding breathalyzers and their calibration and maintenance.
Why calibration is key
As is the case with any precision instrument, your Lifeloc breathalyzer must be calibrated periodically to ensure accuracy. Calibration adjusts the internal settings of the breathalyzer to a predetermined and known setting. The beginning point for reading results will always be the same this will always produce an accurate reading.
Calibration guidelines
- All calibration of units must be performed by a certified Calibration Technician (C-LOCT)
- Calibration of each unit must be done every 12 months or when the instrument fails one calibration check
- Every unit calibration must be followed by a calibration check
- C-LOCT’s must use the most common alcohol standard for calibration including, but not limited to: .040, .080, and .100 BAC. We will note that Lifeloc recommends using a 0.040 for DOT testing.
Calibration check guidelines
- A calibration check must be performed after every calibration.
- The calibration check must utilize either the Dry Gas or Wet Bath method.
- A calibration check must be conducted once every 30 days even if the unit has not been in use.
- A calibration check must be performed as soon as conveniently possible after a positive alcohol test.
- A calibration check must be performed if the unit has undergone any type of repair
Schedule Lifeloc maintenance
To ensure optimum performance, all units are required to be properly packed and sent to Lifeloc for maintenance every 2 years.
Once there, the following maintenance will be performed:
- Factory diagnostic check on all critical system components to proactively identify, repair or replace something before becoming a problem
- A visual inspection and replacement of cracked, scratched, or damaged unit cases, keypads, screens and other components
- Full Calibration across 3 Temperature Points
- Applicable Software Updates
What are you waiting for?
If you haven’t performed your yearly BAT calibration and calibration check yet, do it!
If it’s been awhile since you’ve scheduled off site BAT calibration maintenance with Lifeloc, now is the time! If you have recently had your units calibrated, then, mark your calendar for the next round.
As a sample collector, your job has direct bearing on the immediate course another person’s life is about to take.
Be certain your breathalyzer units are in optimum condition. Somebody’s life is going to be immediately affected in one way or the other by the measurements read.
