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Maintenance and Calibration of Electronic Breathalyzers

Calibration of electronic breathalyzers, It is absolutely necessary and essential to ensure reliable and accurate measurements over time. As with any precision device, electronic breathalyzers , alcohol ignition interlocks (EI) and breathalyzers It should be monitored and inspected periodically every year. A well-maintained and regularly calibrated device contributes to improving prevention and above all guarantees everyone's safety!

Electronic breathalyzers

With more than 30 million alcohol tests per year, Dräger is the undisputed world leader in alcohol testing. Dräger electronic breathalyzers are fast, hygienic and guarantee reliable and accurate results. In many countries, law enforcement agencies use devices of the Alcohol Test series for roadside checks on a daily basis.

Ignition Interlock Device (IID)

Every time the car starts, the driver must blow into the breathalyzer. If the result is negative, he has 5 minutes to start the engine. In case of a positive value, the driver is subjected to a second test. If still positive, the engine is blocked for half an hour.

These devices must therefore be extremely sensitive so as not to immobilize the vehicle unnecessarily. Therefore, periodic checks and regular calibrations are required to ensure the operation of these devices and the accuracy of the measurements. French legislation has fixed the number of verifications at least twice a year.

Breathalyzer calibration

GTC Industrial offers a full range of standard gases for electronic breathalyzer calibration. The blends are made by AirProducts and meet the strictest standards. They are often confused with gravimetry, applying the principles of the ISO6142 standard, and are compatible with all models offered by major manufacturers in this sector.

Ethanol (C3H60) standard gas cylinders are produced from aluminum, single-use (disposable cylinders) in precise and known concentrations. They guarantee precision, optimum stability and maximum shelf life.

There are two types of standard gas cylinders:

  • Aerosol cylinders require the use of etilometric adapters and are designed to perform gas tests for anti-start control.
  • Classic cylinders with flow regulator are available in two sizes, 34L or 110L, according to standard gas needs.
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Inspection and Maintenance of PPE Class 3 (Category 3)

PPE class 3 (or category 3), serious or fatal risks providing protection against corresponds to personal protective equipment. For obvious reasons related to worker safety, inspection, periodic verification and maintenance of such protection is essential and mandatory in most industrialized countries. These controls respiratory protective equipment , chemical protective clothing And fall protection Includes .

Maintenance of respiratory protective equipment

Respiratory protective equipment (gas masks, powered air-purifying respirators, supplied-air respirator systems, self-contained breathing apparatus, etc.) are class 3 PPE. It must be inspected before each use and checked annually (mandatory) in accordance with standards and regulations for respiratory equipment.
Our laboratory has all the necessary equipment for cleaning and checking respiratory protection equipment: washing machines for washing and disinfecting masks and harnesses, drying cabinets, breathing air compressor with air quality analysis, inspection bench (Dräger Quaestor), for periodic inspections of compressed air cylinders Bagging machine to pack endoscope and clean and checked masks.

All compressed air cylinders inflated in the workshop are inspected. Their filling is passed through an air quality analysis chamber according to the EN12021 standard (CO, CO2, O2, hygrometer, oil mist and dust control). After each inflation, a certificate of analysis of the quality of the inspired air is delivered.

Maintenance of chemical protective clothing

Reusable or limited use chemical protective clothing category 3 personal protective equipment (Considered PPE class 3). They are subject to a full inspection and an annual periodic check for ten years, which includes leakage testing of the suit and valves on the inspection bench (Quaestor).

GTC Industrial – an approved and authorized maintenance center – carries out annual periodic inspections of the entire Dräger and RSG chemical suit range in our maintenance laboratory. Feel free to contact us for this special class 3 PPE maintenance.

Periodic inspection of fall protection equipment

Fall protection equipment (safety belts, fall arresters, belt or cable self-retracting retractors, safety tripods, etc.) is class 3 PPE. In accordance with standards and regulations regarding fall protection should be inspected before each use and periodically (mandatory) in an approved care centre. control should be .

Our authorized maintenance center takes into account various compatibility criteria, such as the proper functioning of the equipment, its general condition, the readability of the marking and the expiration date of the product. Storage conditions are also checked.

Monitoring the maintenance of Class 3 PPE

Our simple, innovative and free GTC Industrial solution allows you to monitor, schedule and schedule periodic checks and maintenance of your class 3 PPE. Ideal for HSE managers and Service managers, GTC Industrial – GTC Industrial's intranet – offers the ability to view all current devices and equipment in your fleet and those that need to be returned for inspection or on-site intervention.

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Maintenance and Calibration of Gas Detectors

Whatever the type of cells (catalytic, infrared, electrochemical, semiconductor or photoionization), gas calibration of detectors is essential to ensure reliable and accurate measurements over time. Recognized by our partner manufacturers from qualified technicians With a team of GTC Industrial, portable or fixed maintenance services of gas detectors and periodic checks We offer it on-site or at our care center near Paris.

To facilitate the process, please attach the return receipt, which can be downloaded here

Calibration of gas detectors

Regardless of sensor technology, a gas detector calibration It consists of setting the zero and adjusting the sensitivity (Span). This is a basic and repetitive process for both portable and fixed gas detectors.

Zero setting

“Zero setting” configures the sensor so that ambient air is used as a reference value, so it is imperative that this “reference” air is perfectly “pure” so as not to affect the measurements. In case of doubt, it will be necessary to opt for a standard gas cylinder “zero degree air” (synthetic air) rather than the zero setting outdoors.

This is even more important for CO2 detectors (carbon dioxide) because it occurs naturally in ambient air (about 400 ppm) and distorts measured CO2 values. The “zero” setting for this gas should be made with “zero degree air”.

Sensitivity adjustment (or calibration)

Sensitivity adjustment is made with a standard gas cylinder with a concentration of the gas to be measured between 20% and 80% of the measurement range, ensuring that the gas detector can trigger all alarm thresholds.

In some cases where standard gas cylinders are not available to calibrate the gas detector (not all gases are on sale), an interfering gas can be used, taking all necessary precautions (and relative uncertainties).

Calibration certificate

After each calibration in the workshop or in the field, a certificate must be produced which clearly states the references and specifications of the device, the measuring range of each sensor and the batch numbers and validity dates of the standard gas cylinders used. GTC Industrial provides a calibration certificate for all types of devices: multi-gas or single gas detectors, field gas monitors, fixed gas detectors, etc.

The calibration certificate must be dated and its validity period (date of the next calibration) must be stated.

crash test

To check that the device is working properly between calibrations or before entering a tight space, ” crash test " or " A functional test called “gas test” is highly recommended. This is a privilege of the CATEC system (Certificate for Working Capability in Confined Spaces in the Drinking Water and Sanitation Sector).

This verification of the gas detector is simply accomplished by applying a known concentration of gas to verify the performance of the sensor (response time to the gas) and the activation of the device's different alarm thresholds.

Calibration gases

For maintenance operations, periodic checks or calibration of gas detectors, we offer a wide range of standard or customized gas mixtures in lightweight disposable cylinders. The current offer covers the complete spectrum, from simple binary LEL mixtures (for explosive gases) to complex and multiple mixtures with very low concentration levels in laboratories.

Gas mixtures are often mixed by gravimetry applying ISO6142 principles. They guarantee precision, optimum stability and maximum shelf life.

⇒ See calibration gas cylinders

Management of calibrations

We offer all our customers – FREE – the management and monitoring of their gas detectors via the GTC Industrial app. After identification, you can access your personalized area where you can schedule alerts of device returns (or request on-site intervention), view or print your calibration certificates, manage your gas detector fleet: assign, sort, classify your devices and instantly check which gas detectors need to be calibrated…