Breath alcohol analysers are not all the same. Choosing the right class of device — screening or evidential — depends on how the result will be used.
Screening devices
Screening analysers are designed for fast, portable, first-line checks — at the roadside, at a factory gate, or before a shift. They give a quick indication of whether alcohol is present and whether it exceeds a set limit. They are compact, easy to operate, and ideal for high-volume checks where speed matters.
Evidential devices
Evidential analysers are built to produce results that can stand up to scrutiny — for prosecution or formal disciplinary processes. They use more rigorous measurement methods, maintain traceable calibration, and typically record the result with time, date and identification details. Where a reading may be challenged, an evidential-grade instrument is essential.
Choosing the right fit
Key questions to guide your decision:
- Will the result be used for enforcement, or only for an internal go/no-go decision?
- How many tests will you run, and in what conditions?
- What are your calibration, record-keeping and audit requirements?
- Do your operators need mouthpiece-based or passive (no-contact) sampling?
Many organisations deploy both: screening devices for the field and evidential instruments at the station or clinic.