Breathalyser Calibration

This will depend on the time elapsed since the date of purchase or last recalibration. Other factors increase the requirement for calibration frequency. These are volume of use, blowing unnecessary strong alcohol concentrations into the unit and not waiting 15 minutes after consuming alcohol will increase the requirement.

As a maximum guideline:

• Personal Use Breathalysers utilising Xtend® and BluFire® sensors need to be recalibrated at least every 12 months.
• Workplace Use Breathalysers utilising Xtend® and BluFire® sensors need to be recalibrated between 6 and 9 months, and it depends on the model and certification requirement.

All the breathalysers we distribute will come with a manufacturer’s recommendation for recalibration. These are also noted on this website under each of the product pages. Even if you do not use your breathalyser for a prolonged period, the accuracy will yet begin to drift. This is why all recalibration recommendations come with several tests and a time guideline (whichever comes first).

Essentially higher usage or blowing high alcohol concentration samples will build up alcohol residue. This residue will build upon the sensor more quickly. You can select which model of breathalyser you should consider. The high-grade sensors (Xtend® or BluFire®) will have a substantially lower calibration requirement lower than semi-conductor sensors or lower grade fuel cell sensors.

We will email and text you at the maximum guideline date and remind you that recalibration is due. You may also notice your breathalyser may start taking much longer to warm up, and/or the consecutive readings could also become inconsistent. This is where quality plays a big part in the ongoing usability of your breathalyser. Sending it in each cycle for recalibration will ensure its longevity and accuracy.

Once you purchase a breathalyser from Breathalysers Australia, we will track the unit’s serial number and run it through our calibration monitoring program. This will trigger us to send you an email to remind you as the unit becomes due for recalibration, so you don’t have to worry about missing the time frame.

For Xtend® or BluFire® fuel cell sensors; BACtrack S80 Pro, BACtrack Mobile Pro, BACtrack Trace Pro, BACtrack Scout, C8 Smartphone and C6 Keychain, the cost is $55 inc GST. This also includes the pickup and return courier to and from Northern NSW.

For Alcovisor Mercury the cost is $74.95 + GST. This also includes the pickup and return courier to and from Northern NSW.

Before sending us your breathalyser, please email us first at service@breathalysers-australia.com.au

Breathalysers Australia is Australasia’s only certified recalibration facility for BACtrack products. Additionally we are the only company that can perform this service globally for Australian and New Zealand sold BACtrack products.

Breathalysers Australia enforces a strict recalibration policy to comply with local AS3547 Australian Standards requirements. This Standard specifies that there must be complete traceability of the units serial number for it to be recalibrated under the Standard. If the breathalysers serial does not originate from one of Breathalysers Australia’s facilities, we cannot put our name behind the unit by recalibrating it. We do this to comply with the Australian Standard and ensure that substandard equipment is not being used to make potentially unsafe public decisions. Part of this consideration is that many leading brand breathalysers are replicated on the international market and contain lower-grade components.

Additionally, if the unit originated from us yet the calibration period has lapsed for over 18 months, we cannot calibrate the unit. This is due to a substantially increased chance of the sensor’s performance being negatively affected to a point where calibrations will not hold accuracy for the required/specified periods of time.