Abstract: The calibration tool is provided for use with a detector, such as a detector for detecting trace amounts of one or more substances of interest. The calibration tool includes a body with at least one reservoir for retaining the calibration solution therein. A nib projects from the body and communicates with the reservoir. The nib can be wiped across a detection surface and the detection surface then may be presented to a detector. The detector then can be calibrated for the particular substance of interest in the calibration solution. The calibration tool may include plural reservoirs isolated from one another and plural nibs for applying the calibration solution to a detection surface.

Abstract: A method for isolating suites includes the steps of isolating the suites when an alarm is initiated, setting a timer during isolation creating a window of time to clear a short circuit, clearing said short circuit, removing isolation from the suites as the timer reaches completion, determining if there is a short circuit in each of the suites, and isolating suites that have a short circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a signaling device includes an audio device that generates either or both an audible output such as a tone and a voice. The output is based upon a status level. The signaling device further includes a light emitting diode (LED) strobe that illuminates in a variety of colors, where the illumination of a specific color is based upon the status level.

Abstract: A smoke detector of an obscuration type has an effective light propagation path of substantially greater length than the light propagation paths of conventional obscuration-type smoke detectors to provide increased smoke detection sensitivity without increased background noise or numbers of false alarm incidents. The smoke detector has a light source that emits a light beam that propagates into a detection chamber composed of first and second optical components having respective first and second opposed light reflecting surfaces. The light reflecting surfaces reflect the light beam across the detection chamber multiple times before the reflected light beam is incident on a light detector. The multiple reflections of the light beam increase its effective path length of propagation within the detection chamber to provide the increased smoke detection sensitivity.

Abstract: An electric power line communication system operates with an electric power distribution system to provide through premises power distribution lines highly reliable communication links among power line communication devices electrically coupled or located in proximity to the premises power distribution lines. Each power line communication device associated with a set of premises power distribution lines has an identification address. A master code identifies the power line communication devices as members of a system domain of power line communication devices associated with the set of premises power distribution lines. Association of the master code with the identification addresses renders the member power line communication devices capable of operation without unintended communication with power line communication devices associated with a separate, different set of premises power distribution lines.