What is the minimum required breath flow rate to ensure a valid intoxilyzer sample?

The minimum required breath flow rate to ensure a valid Intoxilyzer sample is 0.15 L/sec. This flow rate is designed to ensure that the breath sample being analyzed contains enough of the subject's breath to obtain an accurate measurement of blood alcohol concentration (BAC). A flow rate lower than this threshold may result in an insufficient amount of breath or an incomplete sample, which can lead to unreliable results.

In operating the Intoxilyzer, the device has mechanisms in place to measure and confirm that the flow rate of the exhaled breath meets this requirement. If the flow does not meet the minimum standard, the test may be invalidated, requiring the subject to provide another sample. This safeguard is critical for maintaining the integrity and accuracy of BAC testing. Proper training and awareness regarding this flow rate are essential for operators of the Intoxilyzer to adhere to legal and procedural standards in alcohol testing.