What does the Future Hold for EBT Calibration? Calibration gas manufacturers continue
to work at improving the logistics and options associated with cylinder disposal. Expect to see easier ways to return non- refillable cylinders to their manufacturers rather than have them end up in landfill as is common practice today. A greater range of cylinder sizes will also be forthcoming. Manual calibration checking and calibra-
tion of EBTs is a necessity today. In other industries gas detection equipment manufac- turers have developed automated calibration stations for performing routine calibrations, cal checks and automating record keeping.
Automatic calibration and calibration check- ing is also available with some fixed station evidential breathalyzers. In both cases routine tasks are simplified and the chances and consequences of human error are reduced. Te result is beter compliance and greater efficiencies to the organization. It would seem to be only a mater of time
before automation and convenience of this type comes to handheld evidential breath alcohol testers. And, as this author thinks, the sooner the beter. ❚
Endnotes 1
Calibration Checking is also referred to as: External Calibration Check, Cal Check, Accuracy Check and Verification.
2
Dry gas for EBT calibration is known by various trade names and descriptors. Some of these include: Calibration Gas, Ethanol in Nitrogen Breath Alcohol Standard, Ethanol Breath Standards (EBS), Dry Gas Ethanol Standard, Calibrated Dry Gas Standard, Ethanol Breath Alcohol Standard, and so on. The term DRYGAS® is a registered trademark of Cristy Corporation and has nothing to do with EBT Calibration Gas standards. Throughout this article I use the most commonly used term: dry gas.
3
In some instances a calibration may be required after a failed Calibration Check—this is dependent on the manufacture’s QAP.
Barry Knott is president and CEO of Lifeloc Technologies (
www.lifeloc.com), a trusted U.S. manufacturer of DOT- approved Evi- dential Breath Alcohol Test instruments for mandated and non-mandated workplace alcohol testing. He is also on the Board of Directors of DATIA.
24
datia focus
spring 2013
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