ACS DRIVESAFE User manual
Technical manual
Alcohol Countermeasure Systems Corp
60 International Boulevard
Toronto, Ontario M9W 6J2 CANADA
T +1 416 619 3500
F +1 416 619 3501
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.
© 2014 Alcohol Countermeasure Systems
The information disclosed in this document is the valuable property of Alcohol Countermeasure Systems Corp and all
copyright and other proprietary rights to this document are reserved. No reproduction of this document is permitted
without the prior written consent of Alcohol Countermeasure Systems Corp.
DRIVESAFE HANDSET COMPONENTS
FRONT VIEW
BACK VIEW
Digital display
Exhaust grill
Mouthpiece
Mouthpiece port
Power button
Battery cover
Red plastic tab
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Important safety and operating information...............................................................1
Assistance .................................................................................................................1
Disclaimer..................................................................................................................1
Breath test readings ..................................................................................................1
Effects of alcohol on test results................................................................................1
Contamination and interference with breath tests ....................................................2
General safety and precautions.................................................................................2
DRIVESAFE tester ....................................................................................................2
Cleaning and maintenance..................................................................................2
Calibration ...........................................................................................................2
Battery power ......................................................................................................3
Battery strength indicator.....................................................................................3
Alcohol gas standard canister, regulator valve and delivery tube .............................3
ALCOSIM breath alcohol simulator ...........................................................................4
Cleaning ..............................................................................................................4
Calibration ...........................................................................................................5
Alcohol reference solution .........................................................................................5
Ordering parts............................................................................................................5
Limited warranty ........................................................................................................6
Return instructions.....................................................................................................6
Certication................................................................................................................6
Chapter 1: The DRIVESAFE breath alcohol tester .....................................................6
DRIVESAFE tester – product prole .........................................................................6
Parts included......................................................................................................7
Activate a new tester (rst use) .................................................................................7
Take a breath test ......................................................................................................7
Turn off / turn on the tester ........................................................................................8
Interpret test results...................................................................................................8
Access and use of service modes.............................................................................9
View rmware version .........................................................................................9
Access calibration mode......................................................................................9
Change unit of measure ....................................................................................10
Change threshold parameters...........................................................................10
Chapter 2: DRIVESAFE tester calibration – overview..............................................11
Calibration dened...................................................................................................11
Verication dened ..................................................................................................11
When to calibrate.....................................................................................................11
Calibration methods.................................................................................................11
Reference solution method dened ..................................................................12
Gas standard method dened ...........................................................................12
Calibration cycles ....................................................................................................12
Chapter 3: Reference solution calibration method ..................................................12
ALCOSIM breath alcohol simulator – overview.......................................................12
How it works ......................................................................................................12
Alcohol reference solution .................................................................................13
Calibration materials................................................................................................13
Connection diagram ................................................................................................14
Set up the ALCOSIM simulator................................................................................14
Calibrate the DRIVESAFE tester.............................................................................15
Verify ARS calibration..............................................................................................16
Chapter 4: Gas standard calibration..........................................................................17
Calibration materials................................................................................................17
Connection diagram ................................................................................................17
Calibrate the DRIVESAFE tester.............................................................................17
Verify dry gas calibration .........................................................................................19
General troubleshooting ..........................................................................................19
Chapter 5: Product technical specications.............................................................20
DRIVESAFE tester ..................................................................................................20
ALCOSIM simulator.................................................................................................21
Chapter 6: Troubleshooting and error codes ...........................................................21
DRIVESAFE tester – general ..................................................................................21
DRIVESAFE tester – error messages / codes.........................................................22
ALCOSIM simulator – general.................................................................................22
ALCOSIM simulator – error codes...........................................................................23
Chapter 7: BrAC / BAC Units and conversions ........................................................24
BrAC – units of measurement .................................................................................24
BAC – units of measurement...................................................................................24
BrAC-BAC conversion chart....................................................................................24
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
Absorption in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract .............................................................28
Motility in the GI tract...............................................................................................28
Factors affecting absorption ....................................................................................29
Food types and quantities .................................................................................29
Alcoholic beverages – concentration, type and volume ....................................29
Rate of alcohol consumption .............................................................................29
Drugs and other factors.....................................................................................30
Distribution of alcohol in the body............................................................................30
Widmark’s hypothesis........................................................................................30
Widmark’s factor................................................................................................30
Elimination...............................................................................................................32
Rate of elimination.............................................................................................32
Chapter 11: Pharmacology of alcohol .......................................................................33
Vision.......................................................................................................................33
Other senses ...........................................................................................................34
Central nervous system...........................................................................................34
Driving performance ................................................................................................36
Attention ............................................................................................................36
Performance measures .....................................................................................36
Risk taking.........................................................................................................36
Driving impairment.............................................................................................37
Pharmacology summary..........................................................................................37
Intoxication ..............................................................................................................38
Methods of self-evaluating impairment....................................................................38
Tolerance .................................................................................................................39
Body tolerance...................................................................................................39
BAC tolerance ...................................................................................................39
Index .............................................................................................................................40
TECHNICAL MANUAL 1
IMPORTANT SAFETY AND OPERATING
INFORMATION
To avoid injury, read all safety information and operating instructions before operating
the DRIVESAFE breath alcohol tester, ALCOSIM breath alcohol simulator, or alcohol
gas standard canister (for gas standard calibration).
For detailed instructions on the use and calibration of the DRIVESAFE tester, read
Chapters 1 to 4.
For detailed information on the effects of alcohol on the body, read Chapter 11.
ASSISTANCE
Contact your local authorized service provider or visit acs-corp.com.
WARNING: Failure to comply with warnings and precautions in this manual may
cause personal injury, product damage, voiding of product warranty or a failed
calibration.
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.
BREATH TEST READINGS
Breath test results may be displayed on the DRIVESAFE tester in units of breath
alcohol concentration (BrAC) or blood alcohol concentration (BAC). BrAC is directly
proportional to BAC. Refer to Chapter 7 for a list of BrAC-BAC conversions.
CAUTION: Be aware of how the legal driving limit is expressed where you live
and take special care not to confuse BrAC with BAC results.
EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL ON TEST RESULTS
Each person reacts uniquely to the consumption of alcohol and may become impaired
at a point below the legal limit.
BrAC / BAC may continue to rise for up to 2 hours after alcohol was last consumed.
Take special care if a borderline result or a result close to the legal BrAC / BAC limit is
indicated.
It may take 10 hours or more for an individual’s BrAC / BAC level to return to 0 after a
high BrAC / BAC level has been reached. In this case, a further test should be carried
out later in the day or on the following morning.
DRIVESAFE2
CONTAMINATION AND INTERFERENCE WITH BREATH
TESTS
Be aware that alcohol is present in many products such as breath spray, mouthwash
and medicine, as well as in certain foods and beverages, which may distort breath test
results.
• Before testing – Wait 20 minutes after drinking or eating and 3 minutes after
smoking
• Swish and swallow fresh water to remove contaminants from the mouth
• Keep magnets or mobile devices away from tester to minimize the potential of
electromagnetic interference
GENERAL SAFETY AND PRECAUTIONS
• Use products for intended purpose only
• Use parts specied by ACS only
• Do not disassemble products
• Do not attempt to repair products; you must contact authorized service provider
DRIVESAFE TESTER
• This tester uses AA alkaline batteries only
• Turn the tester off before removing batteries
• Do not store the tester in extreme heat or extreme cold temperatures
• Use the tester within ambient temperature range of 0 to 50 °C
• Do not blow into the tester without using a mouthpiece
• Always use a new mouthpiece when blowing into the tester
• Do not blow smoke or uids into the mouthpiece; doing so may damage the sensor
• Make certain that the exhaust grill of the tester is not covered in any way when
performing a breath test
CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE
During eld 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.
CALIBRATION
To maintain accuracy, the DRIVESAFE tester requires a calibration each year from the
rst date of use.
When a calibration is due, CAL is displayed on the DRIVESAFE tester screen.
TECHNICAL MANUAL 3
BATTERY POWER
The DRIVESAFE tester requires 2 AA alkaline batteries for operation (batteries are
included).
In production, a plastic tab is inserted between the battery and the electrical connection
to conserve battery power during shipment and storage.
To operate the tester for the rst time, pull the plastic tab from the battery compartment,
which is accessible at the back of the tester.
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 ash,
the batteries require changing.
If the E01 error message is displayed, there is insufcient power to continue operation
of the tester.
To install new batteries, power the tester off (press the power button twice in quick
succession); remove the back battery cover by pressing down on the indent and slide
the cover back.
ALCOHOL GAS STANDARD CANISTER, REGULATOR VALVE
AND DELIVERY TUBE
Calibration of the DRIVESAFE tester using the gas standard method should be
performed indoors, in a service facility, where the gas-standard cylinder can be
properly stored.
WARNING: Damaged or broken regulator valves can turn a canister into an
unguided missile.
CAUTION:
• The transportation and storage of compressed gases in vehicles is dangerous and
should be avoided
• Never remove or alter canister labels
• Before use, examine the canister and valve for any damage
• Observe all cautions and safety warnings found on the canister; pay attention to the
expiration date on the label
• Attach the regulator valve in a safe location
• Never modify the delivery tube in any way
• Always remove the valve and install protective caps on cylinders when not in use
• Store canisters in cool, well-ventilated areas, away from sources of heat
DRIVESAFE4
ALCOSIM BREATH ALCOHOL SIMULATOR
• Before use, check that the product power supply rating (24Vdc, 2.5A) conforms to
local supply rating
• Before use, inspect all components for visible cracks or damage
• When assembling, disassembling or preparing the simulator for use, ensure that it
is not plugged into an electrical outlet
• Avoid contact with the heating element; the surface is hot
• Place the simulator on a at surface, free from obstruction
• Do not expose the simulator to direct sunlight for extended periods of time
• Do not use the simulator with any toxic or ammable liquids, or in explosive
atmospheres
• It is recommended to use the simulator within room temperature environments
(23 °C ± 2 °C and approx. 50% RH)
• The solution container, tubing and mouthpieces must be completely dry; even slight
condensation may disrupt calibration
• Fit tubing or mouthpieces on an aquarium air pump or a similar setup for drying
• Never connect the simulator to an electrical outlet without rst adding solution and
attaching the top housing
• The simulator requires 500 mL of solution; the 500 mL ll line is marked on the
solution container
• Do not under ll or over ll the solution container
• Do not over tighten the top housing
• Connect the simulator cables neatly to ensure simple disconnection after use of the
simulator
• Do not force a misaligned cable connector into place
• Once the solution reaches 34 °C, wait an additional 20 minutes before calibrating a
tester; this allows the solution to reach correct conditions and concentration
• If solution overheats considerably beyond 34 °C, disconnect the simulator power
immediately
• Disconnect the simulator power after use
• After disconnecting the simulator power, allow 10 to 15 minutes for the heating
element to cool off before detaching the top housing
• Empty out solution containers at the end of a work day
• Store the simulator in an environment of 5 to 40 °C and 10 to 85% RH
CLEANING
• 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
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