La. Admin. Code tit. 55 § I-557

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section I-557 - Maintenance, Repair and Inspection

A. Maintenance, repair and inspection of a gas chromatograph with or without a mass spectrometer may be performed by certified blood alcohol analysts. This may include but not be limited to cleaning, replacing septums, changing columns, checking gases and flow rates, checking "O" rings and air filters, adjusting temperature settings and any other routine checks that are deemed necessary for accurate performance. A certified blood alcohol analyst may perform diagnostic testing, as instructed by a service engineer from the manufacturer. Following each maintenance or repair, inspection of the instrument shall include running a known alcohol standard to insure that the instrument is in proper working order. The gas chromatograph shall be inspected and certified by the department at least every 180 days and the certificate issued shall be proof as to the certification and accuracy of the instrument unless the laboratory is permitted by the terms set forth in the Louisiana statutory criminal law and procedure, R.S. 32:663. A log shall be maintained on each gas chromatograph and all inspections and certifications noted therein.

B. A log book listing all repair work, maintenance and inspection shall be kept and will be available for inspection. The minimum information required in the log book shall state the date, time, nature of work, and name of person(s) performing task.

C. At the time of the periodic inspection and certification, the analyst or technician performing said inspection shall perform at least four analyses, the first three of which shall each utilize certified reagent solutions with alcohol concentrations between 0.04 and 0.30 grams percent. The fourth analysis shall utilize a known reagent solution of acetone and ethyl alcohol mixed with deionized water to check the resolution of the gas chromatograph.

D. the department shall formulate a program for the inspection and certification of all gas chromotographs with or without a mass spectrometer being used for blood alcohol analyses in this state by laboratories not permitted by terms set forth in the Louisiana statutory criminal law and procedure, R.S. 32:663. The completion of the initial inspection and certification shall be on or before January 20, 1992; however, the lack of certification prior to January 20, 1992 shall not be grounds for the disqualification of the accuracy or authenticity of the results obtained from the use of any such gas chromatograph with or without a mass spectrometer.

La. Admin. Code tit. 55, § I-557

Promulgated by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office of State Police, LR 14:361 (June 1988), amended LR 17:676 (July 1991), repromulgated LR 17:799 (August 1991), Amended LR 4496 (1/1/2018).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 32:663.