ACS DRIVESAFE Technical Manual
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ACS DRIVESAFE Technical Manual

Breath alcohol tester
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  • Page 1 Technical manual...
  • Page 2 F +1 416 619 3501 info@acs-corp.com acs-corp.com ACS, ALCOHOL COUNTERMEASURE SYSTEMS, ALCOSIM, DRIVEASFE and the “Molly” are trademarks of Alcohol Countermeasure Systems (International) Inc. and are used under license. Alcohol Countermeasure Systems is the trading style of Alcohol Countermeasure Systems (International) Inc.
  • Page 3 DRIVESAFE HANDSET COMPONENTS FRONT VIEW Mouthpiece Exhaust grill Digital display Mouthpiece port Power button Red plastic tab Battery cover BACK VIEW...

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    Alcohol reference solution ..................5 Ordering parts......................5 Limited warranty ......................6 Return instructions.....................6 Certification........................6 Chapter 1: The DRIVESAFE breath alcohol tester .............6 DRIVESAFE tester – product profile .................6 Parts included ......................7 Activate a new tester (first use) .................7 Take a breath test ......................7 Turn off / turn on the tester ..................8...
  • Page 5 Chapter 2: DRIVESAFE tester calibration – overview ..........11 Calibration defined....................11 Verification defined ....................11 When to calibrate.....................11 Calibration methods....................11 Reference solution method defined ..............12 Gas standard method defined ................12 Calibration cycles ....................12 Chapter 3: Reference solution calibration method ..........12 ALCOSIM breath alcohol simulator – overview ............12 How it works ......................12...
  • Page 6 Chapter 8: How the DRIVESAFE tester works ............25 Chapter 9: The physiology of breath testing ............25 Breath – physiology and terminology ..............26 Breath-blood alcohol ratio – overview ..............26 Breath-blood alcohol ratio..................27 Breath alcohol analysis – methodology ..............27 Chapter 10: Alcohol & the physiology of the human body ........28 Absorption of alcohol in the body ................28...

  • Page 7: Important Safety And Operating Information

    DISCLAIMER Sale of the DRIVESAFE breath alcohol tester is on the express condition that neither the manufacturer nor the vendor of the device shall be held responsible for the accuracy of any breath alcohol test reading obtained from the device, nor liable for any loss, damage, injury or other consequence resulting, directly or indirectly, from the use thereof.

  • Page 8: Contamination And Interference With Breath Tests

    CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE During field use, handle the DRIVESAFE tester with care and keep it clean and dry at all times. Clean the handset with a damp cloth and mild soap. Do not use abrasive cleaners or solvents.

  • Page 9: Battery Power

    The tester can perform over 1,000 tests with a set of new batteries. BATTERY STRENGTH INDICATOR When the DRIVESAFE tester is powered on, a battery strength indicator is displayed on the bottom right of the screen. When the battery strength indicator begins to flash, the batteries require changing.

  • Page 10: Alcosim Breath Alcohol Simulator

    • Disconnect the simulator power before cleaning • After disconnecting the simulator power, allow 10 to 15 minutes for the heating element to cool off before detaching the top housing • Do not submerge the top housing in water DRIVESAFE...

  • Page 11: Calibration

    The label is replaced after every calibration. ALCOHOL REFERENCE SOLUTION • For the calibration of the DRIVESAFE tester, use 0.48 mg/L (100 mg/dL) solution concentration only • Replace solution every 5 days or 20 tests •...

  • Page 12: Limited Warranty

    All ACS products are warranted to be free of defects in workmanship and materials for a period of 1 year from the date of shipment. ACS agrees to replace or repair any defective device, provided the defect was not caused by misuse or mishandling.

  • Page 13: Parts Included

    Calibration While the sensor provides accurate results over years of use, calibration is required once a year from the date of first use. Calibration is maintained with ACS breath alcohol simulators and alcohol reference solution, or with alcohol gas standard cylinders.

  • Page 14: Turn Off / Turn On The Tester

    When READY appears, you may take another breath test. TURN OFF / TURN ON THE TESTER The DRIVESAFE tester will automatically turn off after a period of inactivity. To turn off the tester manually, press the power button twice in quick succession.

  • Page 15: Access And Use Of Service Modes

    ACCESS AND USE OF SERVICE MODES The tester has several maintenance modes: • View firmware version • Access calibration mode • Unit of measure mode • Threshold parameters mode As a security feature, maintenance modes are accessed by pressing the power button in a particular sequence.

  • Page 16: Change Unit Of Measure

    Refer to Chapter 4 for more information. NOTE: If CAL is blinking, the date for calibration has expired. You may still continue the calibration. The DRIVESAFE tester is ready for calibration. Refer to Chapter 2 for calibration instructions. CHANGE UNIT OF MEASURE 1.

  • Page 17: Chapter 2: Drivesafe Tester Calibration - Overview

    The backlight turns green and WAIT flashes • READY is displayed • The DRIVESAFE tester will use the new levels to indicate a pass, warning or a failed test NOTE: The unit will ensure that the warn threshold is always lower than the fail threshold.

  • Page 18: Reference Solution Method Defined

    DRIVESAFE tester. CALIBRATION CYCLES To ensure accurate results, the DRIVESAFE tester is calibrated in up to 3 cycles. The first cycle starts the calibration and the subsequent cycles are used to verify that the same threshold is reached every time.

  • Page 19: Alcohol Reference Solution

    ALCOHOL REFERENCE SOLUTION For calibration of the DRIVESAFE tester, 0.48 mg/L (100 mg/dL) solution is required. Solution is supplied in 500 mL tamper-sealed bottles. It is premixed and ready for immediate use with the simulator. Figure 2. Factory-sealed alcohol reference solution bottle...

  • Page 20: Connection Diagram

    7. Perform a leak check by covering the tubing from the VAPOUR OUTLET TUBE with your thumb and blowing into the tubing from the AIR INLET TUBE. The water should not bubble. In case of bubbling, refer to the “Troubleshooting” section of this manual. DRIVESAFE...

  • Page 21: Calibrate The Drivesafe Tester

    Press the power button on the DRIVESAFE tester. 1. Press the power button on the DRIVESAFE breath alcohol tester. 2. When READY is displayed at the bottom of the DRIVESAFE tester screen, press the power button quickly in this sequence (the tester beeps with each click): (CLICK) –...

  • Page 22: Verify Ars Calibration

    ALCOSIM simulator. 3. Stop blowing when the DRIVESAFE tester tone ends and the tester makes a click sound. When a breath sample is accepted, the DRIVESAFE tester screen displays the result within a few seconds.

  • Page 23: Chapter 4: Gas Standard Calibration

    2. Attach the rigid delivery tube to the regulator valve. 3. Press the power button on the DRIVESAFE tester. 4. When READY is displayed, press the power button in this sequence: (CLICK) – (CLICK) – (PRESS AND HOLD FOR 5 SECONDS) 5.
  • Page 24 The tester will emit a tone to indicate correct gas pressure and flow. Hold handset Press valve Figure 6. Delivering gas standard to the DRIVESAFE tester 13. Release the regulator valve when the tester tone ends and the tester clicks. WAIT flashes on the tester screen for up to 40 seconds.

  • Page 25: Verify Dry Gas Calibration

    VERIFY DRY GAS CALIBRATION 1. When READY is displayed on the DRIVESAFE tester screen, insert the delivery tube from the regulator valve into the mouthpiece port of the DRIVESAFE tester. Keep hold of the handset as the delivery tube is rigid.

  • Page 26: Chapter 5: Product Technical Specifications

    CHAPTER 5: PRODUCT TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS DRIVESAFE TESTER Size: 137 mm x 59 mm x 26 mm Weight: 155 grams Sensor: Electrochemical (fuel cell) Specificity: Alcohol only, no response to ketones or hydrocarbon Temperature range: 0 to 50 °C Initial test: <...

  • Page 27: Alcosim Simulator

    Voltage: 110 volt or 220 volt Power supply rating: 24Vdc, 2.5A CHAPTER 6: TROUBLESHOOTING AND ERROR CODES DRIVESAFE TESTER – GENERAL WHAT TO DO No power Remove the plastic tab from the battery compartment. No test Change the mouthpiece. Check if CAL is flashing on the display.

  • Page 28: Drivesafe Tester - Error Messages / Codes

    DRIVESAFE TESTER – ERROR MESSAGES / CODES MESSAGE WHAT TO DO Calibrate the handset. Change the batteries. E02 + E05 to E11 These errors may occur during the power up sequence and indicate that the tester requires service. Contact ACS for the return procedure.

  • Page 29: Alcosim Simulator - Error Codes

    ALCOSIM SIMULATOR – ERROR CODES The following table lists and troubleshoots error codes that may be displayed on the ALCOSIM simulator screen. An error code is accompanied by a periodic beep tone. ERROR DESCRIPTION WHAT TO DO CODE Er 11 Motor malfunction.

  • Page 30: Chapter 7: Brac / Bac Units And Conversions

    0.05 0.01 0.10 0.10 0.02 0.20 0.14 0.03 0.30 0.19 0.04 0.40 0.24 0.05 0.50 0.29 0.06 0.60 0.38 0.08 0.80 0.48 0.10 1.00 0.52 0.11 1.10 0.71 0.15 1.50 0.95 0.20 2.00 1.43 1430 0.30 3.00 DRIVESAFE...

  • Page 31: Chapter 8: How The Drivesafe Tester Works

    Figure 7: ACS electrochemical fuel cell When the test subject blows into the DRIVESAFE tester, a sample of breath comes into contact with the fuel cell. If there is alcohol in the breath sample, a chemical reaction in the fuel cell generates an electrical current. The microprocessor of the DRIVESAFE tester compares the generated electrical current to a preset reference standard and calculates a precise BrAC / BAC value.

  • Page 32: Breath - Physiology And Terminology

    (alveoli) at the end expiratory breath temperature (34 ºC), is known as the breath-blood alcohol DRIVESAFE...

  • Page 33: Breath-Blood Alcohol Ratio

    46000 = 0.047 Litres of alcohol in 210 Litres of air = 232 ppm According to this calculation, the DRIVESAFE device can directly measure an alcohol concentration in the range of 0 to 1000 ppm. BREATH ALCOHOL ANALYSIS – METHODOLOGY...

  • Page 34: Chapter 10: Alcohol & The Physiology Of The Human Body

    MOTILITY IN THE GI TRACT Another consideration with respect to the gastrointestinal tract is the motility of (the ability to move food through) the tract itself. Motility increases the passage of alcohol and determines the stomach emptying time, influencing absorption from the stomach. DRIVESAFE...

  • Page 35: Factors Affecting Absorption

    FACTORS AFFECTING ABSORPTION Factors that may affect the total rate of absorption include: the type of food and quantity of food consumed, concentration, type and volume of the consumed alcoholic beverage, rate of consumption, certain types of drugs, diseases, emotional states, and individual traits such as sex, body weight, body water content, experience with alcohol and metabolic disposition.

  • Page 36: Drugs And Other Factors

    Males 0.7 (or 70%) Females 0.6 (or 60%) Widmark’s factor “r” (rho) can be expressed mathematically, as follows: r = Amount of Water in Entire Body Amount of Water in Blood DRIVESAFE...
  • Page 37 Since water mixes freely with alcohol, Widmark’s factor can be redefined mathematically as follows: r = Amount of Alcohol in Entire Body Amount of Alcohol In Blood Note that the factors 0.7 and 0.6 are approximate averages and have been determined empirically.

  • Page 38: Elimination

    BAC would have been at some time previous, or what it will be, given the BAC at a particular time. If no additional alcohol was consumed in the interval and the BAC of the subject have been declining over the time interval, a reasonably prediction can be made. DRIVESAFE...

  • Page 39: Chapter 11: Pharmacology Of Alcohol

    CHAPTER 11: PHARMACOLOGY OF ALCOHOL Pharmacology of alcohol: the effects of alcohol on the body as these relate to mental and physical functions. It is essential to understand the actions of alcohol in the human body in order to appreciate and recognize the symptoms or effects of alcohol on behaviour and performance.

  • Page 40: Other Senses

    It has been shown that alcohol will produce effects related to this part of the brain at a concentration at which no demonstrable impairment of intellectual function occurs. For example, one DRIVESAFE...
  • Page 41 study involved a large group of university students who were put to solve problems in abstract reasoning, involving mathematical and abstract symbols, which they had to solve as rapidly as possible. Their score was expressed as the number of problems that they could solve correctly in a given time.

  • Page 42: Driving Performance

    Because alcohol acts to depress the reticule activating system, several things occur. The alerting mechanism is depressed such that a person does not become aware of potentially hazardous or dangerous situations that the sensory functions detect. The DRIVESAFE...

  • Page 43: Driving Impairment

    sensory functions themselves are deteriorated and may not be supplying complete or correct information to the brain. A person’s motor functions are impaired; yet, because of alcohol’s depressant effect, that person will feel less inhibited and more self confident about their driving skills. As a result, a person, after having consumed alcohol, is more likely to speed into high risk situations that would normally be avoided or treated cautiously.

  • Page 44: Intoxication

    Generally, it is very difficult for the individual to detect his level of impairment. A drinker may notice obvious symptoms such as dizziness and slurred speech, but since alcohol usually makes a person feel that they are performing better than is actually the case, the extent of impairment is most often grossly under-estimated. DRIVESAFE...

  • Page 45: Tolerance

    TOLERANCE It is a matter of common observation that some people “carry their liquor” better than others. This is due to a person’s tolerance (body tolerance vs. BAC tolerance) to alcohol. There are two types of tolerance: BODY TOLERANCE Two individuals consume the same amount of an alcohol beverage and achieve different BACs.

  • Page 46: Index

    Fuel cell, 6, 25 Breath test Abort, 7 Analysis, 8 Intoxication, 35, 37, 38 Button sequence (DRIVESAFE modes), 9, 10 Metabolism, 25, 28, 32, 39 Calibration (Definitions), 11 Mouthpiece (round), 6, 7, 21, 22 Calibration mode, 9 In calibration, 12, 13, 14, 16...
  • Page 47 Part Number, 17 Respiration, 26 Respiratory profile (Definitions), 26 Results displayed (DRIVESAFE), 8 Threshold parameters mode, 10 Tolerance, 29, 39 Traffic violation, 8 Troubleshooting DRIVESAFE tester, 21 Gas standard calibration, 19 Reference solution calibration, 22 Turn off tester manually, 8...
  • Page 48 TCM-ENG-60-000698-A © 2014...

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