Alcopatrol Inc. – Hardware Limited Warranty Policy
IMPORTANT LEGAL NOTICE: This document defines the standard warranty terms for Alcopatrol Inc. hardware products. While based on standard industry practices for professional testing equipment, this draft should be reviewed by your legal counsel to align precisely with your localized B2B/B2C sales contracts and regional consumer protection laws.
Manufacturer’s Limited Warranty
Alcopatrol Inc. warrants all official hardware products, including professional breath alcohol testers, ignition interlocks, breath simulators, and related electronic accessories (collectively, the "Products"), against defects in materials and workmanship under normal use.
1. Warranty Period
Standard B2B Warranty: Except as otherwise specified in a direct written sales contract, Alcopatrol Inc. provides a 12-month standard limited warranty starting from the original date of purchase or delivery to the initial end-user.
Accessories & Consumables: Detachable components, mouthpieces, reference solutions, carrying cases, and charging cables are classified as consumables and are not covered under the 12-month hardware warranty once used.
2. Remedy Under Warranty
If a hardware defect arises and a valid claim is received within the Warranty Period, Alcopatrol Inc. will, at its sole discretion and option:
Repair the hardware defect at no charge, using new or refurbished replacement parts.
Exchange the product with a product that is new or manufactured from new or serviceable used parts and is at least functionally equivalent to the original product.
3. Absolute Exclusions & Voiding Conditions (What is NOT Covered)
The limited warranty applies strictly to unmodified, factory-sealed units. The warranty is rendered immediately and completely void if any of the following conditions occur:
Tampering: Any evidence that the product's external casing or housing screws have been unscrewed, loosened, or adjusted by anyone other than an authorized Alcopatrol technician.
Label Damage: The official factory security/warranty label is broken, torn, altered, or removed.
Unauthorized Service: The product has been serviced, calibrated, or repaired by unauthorized personnel or at service centers outside of official Alcopatrol authorized locations.
Improper Operation: The unit is operated or maintained in a manner that is non-conforming to its intended use, or in direct violation of the operating instructions outlined in the official User’s Manual.
Electrical Abuse: Damage caused by charging the device with unapproved, third-party power adapters, incorrect voltage inputs, or trying to operate a unit while it is actively connected to a live charging power source.
4. Sensor Degradation & Maintenance Caveats
Sensor Calibration: Electrochemical fuel cell sensors naturally undergo sensitivity drift over time and require routine professional calibration (typically every 12 months). A drift in accuracy due to natural wear is not considered a manufacturing defect.
Sensor Poisoning: The warranty does not cover permanent sensor damage or degradation caused by a failure to observe pre-test requirements. This includes "sensor poisoning" resulting from users blowing directly into the device within 15 minutes of consuming alcohol, tobacco, food, medicines, or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers near the intake vent.
5. How to Obtain Warranty Service
To request a repair or replacement under this warranty, the purchaser must follow these steps:
Contact the Alcopatrol Inc. Support Team or your local authorized distributor to request a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number.
Securely pack the device in its original packaging or equivalent protection. Do not ship reference solutions or hazardous materials unless explicitly instructed.
Clearly write the RMA number on the outside of the package.
Ship the package to the designated Alcopatrol Service Center. The purchaser is responsible for all incoming shipping charges, insurance, and tracking. Alcopatrol Inc. will cover return shipping to the customer for validated warranty repairs.
6. Limitation of Implied Warranties
TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THIS WARRANTY AND THE REMEDIES SET FORTH ABOVE ARE EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, REMEDIES, AND CONDITIONS, WHETHER ORAL, WRITTEN, STATUTORY, EXPRESS, OR IMPLIED. ALCOPATROL INC. SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL STATUTORY OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.