| Product Name |
P.A.S. IV (“sniffer”)
Alcohol Screening System |
| Function |
Combines police-grade flashlight
with sampling device for detecting low levels of
airborne alcohol in exhaled breath, in vehicles and
other enclosed spaces, or over beverage containers.
|
| Flashlight
|
Pre-focused
lamp module provides more than 20 Mean Spherical
Candelas (MSCD) and in excess of 50,000 candlepower.
|
| Alcohol
Sensor |
Electrochemical (platinum) fuel
cell generates an electrical current in response to
alcohol vapor. The microcontroller will
automatically turn the sensor off after about 45
seconds, should you forget to turn off the sensor. |
| Cell Heater
|
Built-in heater
regulates fuel cell temperature at 104 F (40 C)
whenever flashlight is on. |
| Calibration |
Performed at the factory.
Calibration checks are recommended every six (6)
months or more frequently if the unit appears to be
losing sensitivity. |
| Specificity
|
Fuel cell
detects only alcohol. It is unaffected by acetone,
paint and glue fumes, foods, confectionery, methane,
and practically any other substance likely to be
found in the breath. |
| Air Sample |
Pump runs for 5 sec’s and draws
in a 1 cu. in. (15ml) air sample (nominal figures).
|
| Display |
Color-coded
9-element LED bar-graph displays alcohol level.
|
| Peak Reading |
5-10 sec's at 104 F (40 C);
longer at lower temperatures unless fuel cell heater
on.
Recovery Time 30 seconds - 2 minutes after a
positive reading; longer if fuel cell overloaded or
heater off. |
| Power Supply |
Nickel Metal
Hydride (NiMH) rechargeable battery (no memory).
Charger operable from 12-volt DC or 110-volt AC
power. |
| Battery Capacity |
1.6 amp hrs; good for 45 minutes of
continuous use. Store unit in recharger to keep
fully charged between use (no memory). |
| Charging Time |
Approx. 3 hr's for fully
discharged batteries using the AC/DC Fast Charger
Cradle Unit. |
|
Environmental |
Operating
temperature range 0 to 104 F (-18 to +40 C). The
P.A.S. IV housing is weather resistant. |
| Dimensions |
12" (300mm) long x 1.5" (38mm)
diameter, increasing to 2.2" (56mm) at head.
|
| Weight
|
1.5 lb.
(0.68kg) with battery pack |
| Accessories |
Various accessories and spare
parts are available from PAS Systems International:
 | PAS AC/DC Charger Cradle
(Rack) |
| Auto/DC Adapters (12 volt
cigarette lighter adapters) |
| Wall Transformer for PAS IV
Charger |
| NiMH Rechargeable Power Pack |
| Carrying Case |
| Super Beam Lamp Module |
| Calibration assembly
including: Wet bath simulator w/Cal-Pump
|
|
General Information
Description
The P.A.S. IV Alcohol Screening System combines: a)
high-intensity, super-beam flashlight technology with b) a
dynamic sampling system and c) a miniature alcohol sensor.
It “sniffs” ambient air, the breath, open containers, or
enclosed spaces for the presence of alcohol. The P.A.S.
functions as a non-intrusive “extension of the operator’s
nose.
The P.A.S. is a hand-held, rapid alcohol detection
instrument using a platinum electrochemical fuel cell sensor
of high alcohol specificity, accuracy and stability.
Designed for law enforcement, industry, corrections,
transportation agencies, and educational facilities. The
operator-controlled sampling system guarantees accurate
detection of alcohol, and is especially suited for quick
subsequent measurements.
The P.A.S. is used to check alcohol presence/absence with
or without a subject’s direct participation. When used
without the subject’s direct participation it is known as
passive sampling, as opposed to active testing where the
subject blows directly into a mouthpiece or the intake port.
The P.A.S. can also be used to detect open containers of
alcoholic beverages, or to detect low, ambient levels of
alcohol in enclosed spaces such as vehicles, jail cells, or
classrooms.
Measuring Principle
The alcohol concentration is quickly and accurately
measured by a heated proprietary platinum electrochemical
fuel cell. The benefits are high analytical alcohol
specificity, short analysis time, long working life, and
minimal recalibration requirements. Only true alcohol
content is recorded even when exposed to other interfering
breath substances, e.g. ketones (acetone) and hydrocarbons.
The operator controls the entire alcohol sampling and
monitors all instrument functions to prevent false
measurements. After analysis, the result is displayed on a
color-coded bar graph, each segment corresponding to an
alcohol level of 0.01% BrAC. Tests can be repeated within
seconds if no alcohol is present, and at intervals of less
than 1 minute at high alcohol readings.
Simple Operating Procedure
The P.A.S. automatically "draws in" a precise volume of
air or breath during sampling procedure to ensure that an
adequate sample has been provided. The operator controls the
sampling. When the P.A.S. is used to sample breath at about
15-20 cm (6-8 inches) in front of the subject's mouth,
alcohol detection is highly reliable. The P.A.S., unlike
other hand-held breath test devices, collects its sample
from in front of the subject's face, in the same way as a
police officer may smell a suspect's breath. Therefore it is
not a "test", nor does it constitute a "search".
Accordingly, there should be no question of a trespass or
intrusion into the privacy of the subject.
Power Supply
Power for the P.A.S. is provided by a rechargeable Nickel
Metal Hydride battery (no memory). Charger is operable from
a 12-volt DC or 110-volt AC power.
P.A.S. System and Warranty
The P.A.S. is available in a convenient, protective case
containing everything you need to perform, log, and document
the test:
P.A.S. Sensor with NiMH battery and PAS AC/DC Charger
with AC wall adapter and auto charger adapter, Instruction
Manual, and full one year warranty. The proprietary platinum
electrochemical fuel cell carries a full two-year warranty.
Sensitivity Check and Warranty
Our Quality Assurance Plan calls for a sensitivity check
to be performed once every month (minimum) and full
calibration once every six (6) months (minimum) or if a
sensitivity check shows the unit out of calibration.
Manufactured in the USA
Use Examples
In Law Enforcement...How Used
The P.A.S. IV Passive Alcohol Sensor is used to check
alcohol presence/absence with or without a subject’s direct
participation. When used without the subject’s direct
participation it is known as passive sampling, as opposed to
direct testing where the subject blows directly into a
mouthpiece or the intake port.
The P.A.S. IV Passive Alcohol Sensor samples exhaled air
from in front of the face of an individual. A simple press
of the sensor button activates the proprietary sample pump
and draws the sample into the electrochemical fuel cell
sensor alerting the operator to the presence and approximate
concentration of alcohol (BrAC%). Holding the sensor up to
ten (10) inches from the suspected alcohol source is all
that is needed to determine if alcohol is present. This pump
design also allows the sensor to check for alcohol in open
containers (drinks) or enclosed spaces (automobiles, jail
cells, rooms, etc.). The alcohol level is shown in a few
seconds after sampling on a color-coded display.
Where Used
In law enforcement the P.A.S. Sensor (nicknamed the “sniffer”)
is frequently used at sobriety checkpoints, saturation
patrols, or during routine traffic stops to alert the
officer to the presence of alcohol. The "sniffer" sampling
system is also ideal to monitor and measure the presence of
alcohol over open containers (drinks), enclosed spaces, or
for zero tolerance enforcement of underage drivers. The
"stealth" design of the P.A.S. IV often alerts the officer
to the presence of alcohol before the subject is even aware
a sample has been taken and analyzed. This type of sampling
is not a violation of the individual's rights as such
"sniffing" is protected by multiple legal doctrines. For
example, the "plain sight doctrine," which is a legal
doctrine that allows the officer when legally in a position,
to use his or her senses to observe a violation of the law,
thereby aiding the officer to establish "probable cause" for
making the arrest. Passive alcohol sampling is consistent
with this legal doctrine.
What is saved by using passive alcohol testing?
The P.A.S. IV combines a high-intensity flashlight with a
micro-miniature alcohol detector. This unique design allows
the officer to control the flashlight and alcohol sensor
with one hand, leaving the other completely free. It will
provide as much light as the typical flashlight used by
patrol officers at night and since most DUI/DWI’s occur
during nighttime hours when officers routinely carry
flashlights, this design is a great convenience. The officer
can approach the vehicle in the normal way, using the
flashlight to illuminate the area, and when desired,
activate the pump for sampling.
According to studies conducted by the National Highway
Traffic Association and the Insurance Institute for Highway
Safety officers using P.A.S. Sensors at sobriety checkpoints
increase their effectiveness by 15 to 25 percent in
detecting legally impaired (0.08 gm% or 0.10 gms%) drivers.
In zero tolerance enforcement, the sensors can be even more
effective by enhancing the officers' subjective senses of
smell, visual and hearing to evaluate more accurately for
the presence of alcohol.
Savings of billions of dollars every year and countless
numbers of lives is possible with stronger and more rigorous
enforcement of drinking and driving laws. NHTSA estimates
that direct costs of alcohol-related crashes exceeded $46
billion in 1994. An additional $90 plus billion is lost in
quality of life due to these crashes. These high-tech tools
which quickly "sniff" out alcohol to one-hundredth of one
percent are proving how technology can help combat DUI/DWI,
enforce zero tolerance, and save lives and money.
