Breath Alcohol Technician Equipment Calibration & Maintenance Flashcards

What is the primary purpose of an external calibration standard (dry gas standard) used with evidential breath testing devices?

Answer: To verify the device's accuracy against a known alcohol concentration

External calibration standards provide a known alcohol concentration to verify that the instrument reads accurately within acceptable tolerances.

Under DOT regulations, how often must an evidential breath testing device (EBT) undergo an external calibration check?

Answer: Every 30 days or every 150 tests, whichever comes first

49 CFR Part 40 requires that EBTs have an external calibration check at least every 30 days or 150 tests, whichever comes first.

During a calibration check, the EBT reads 0.082 when the dry gas standard is certified at 0.080. What action is required?

Answer: No action — a reading of 0.082 is within the ±0.005 tolerance

DOT regulations allow a ±0.005 g/210L tolerance for calibration checks, so 0.082 vs. 0.080 (difference of 0.002) is acceptable.

Which organization maintains the Conforming Products List (CPL) for evidential breath testing devices?

Answer: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

NHTSA publishes and maintains the CPL of approved EBTs and screening devices that meet performance standards.

What does a 'wet bath' simulator do in the context of EBT calibration?

Answer: It generates a vapor of known alcohol concentration by heating an ethanol-water solution

A wet bath simulator heats an ethanol-water solution to produce a vapor at a precisely known alcohol concentration for calibration purposes.

After placing an EBT out of service due to a failed calibration check, who must be notified according to DOT Part 40?

Answer: The office responsible for maintaining the device and the DOT agency

The BAT must notify the office responsible for device maintenance and the relevant DOT agency so corrective action can be tracked.

What information must be recorded on the calibration check log for an EBT?

Answer: Date, time, device serial number, calibration standard lot number, result, and technician signature

Complete calibration records must include the date, time, EBT serial number, standard lot number, result, and the technician's identifying information.