Calibration & Servicing

Can I recalibrate my Detector myself?
Professional recalibration equipment is required, and either a dry gas system or wet bath simulators (and a licence from Customs & Excise is needed to purchase, store and use the materials required) so normally the detector must be returned to us for recalibration.  Larger companies and offshore operations however can, and have, purchased the necessary equipment to carry out this function in-house. Calibration Equipment is only available to special order. For more technical information on how Breathalyzers are calibrated, see our FAQ

What if I have a Personal Breathalyzer that I am using as a screener, with exchangeable sensor?
If you have an AlcoMate Prestige, AL6000 Pro, AL7000, AlcoScan 6000i or DigiPro sensors are available for £ that you can fit yourself - Buy Here

How often do they need to be Calibrated?
Think of calibration as a service on your car.  If you use the car a lot, you need to have it serviced more often but even if your car just sits in the garage for most of the time, it still needs an annual service - and sometimes, leaving your car out of use can lead to more service work than using it regularly.  It's the same with a Breathalyzer. Most people will do less than 500 tests a year, in which case an annual service will be fine, however if it spends long periods of time out of use, this in itself can lead to problems with the sensor drying out.  It's best to use it at least a couple of times a month to make sure this doesn't happen.

Another reason for regular calibration is because if a Breathalyzer hasn't been recalibrated for some time it is possible that the sensor will move so far out of range that it cannot be brought back into the operating range. We therefore recommend re-calibration be done every 6-9 months or 500 tests, whichever the sooner. Using a detector within less than the minimum time after drinking (20mins) or smoking (10mins) can dramatically reduce a sensor's life before it needs recalibrating, or in some cases replacing if excessive smoke/alcohol or other contaminants have been blown into the unit. Users must remember that these are sensitive medical instruments and must be used in accordance with the supplied User Guide.

How do I know if my unit needs Calibrating?
When the readings start to lose consistency. 3 tests, each taken 2 minutes apart and with a consistent blow should produce readings within a narrow margin; the degree of "wander" will vary depending upon the quality of detector purchased but a regular user will become accustomed to the level of accuracy he/she would expect and when the readings start to vary too greatly for accurate use then the unit should be sent for calibration. If in doubt, give us a call!

How do I get my Detector calibrated, and what does it cost?
Professional Fuel Cell devices, such as the Dräeger 6510 & 7510 cost £ per detector plus vat. Please ensure the unit is adequately packed as we cannot be responsible for damage sustained in transit to our facility. For calibration of Semi-Conductor based Personal Breathalyzers please click here

Can you recalibrate a Detector I've purchased elsewhere?
Almost certainly - we have more experience than anyone else in the UK with regard to servicing, maintaining and calibrating breathalyzers of all shapes and sizes. Contact us and let us know what type of unit it is. If we can, we will.

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