Abstract: A container (110) used for sterilization of medical components and utensils has a body (112) with a floor (114) and an upstanding wall (116). At least one vent (30), for entry of steam or the like, is formed in the floor. The vent has a plurality of vent holes, within a periphery defined by a ridge (34). A ledge (36) and a pair of raised portions (148) are provided inside the body to receive a rack on which the medical components are placed. A plurality of channels (144) in the floor of the body have a floor that is lower than the floor of the body, allowing gravity flow of liquid into the channels. The floor of each channel is adapted to enhance droplet formation, enhancing evaporation. The container is unitarily formed from a polymeric material selected for stability in the presence of high temperature and corrosive chemicals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus detect devices on a line in an alarm system that have been assigned a common or duplicate address, or that are located beyond the maximum allowable wiring distance on the line, or that are poorly connected to the line thus providing weak answers to communications from the control panel. The method and apparatus operate by polling suspect addresses of devices on the line while adjusting the sensitivity of the receiver. The sensitivity of the receiver is lowered by an amount corresponding to the test being performed. In duplicate address testing, the sensitivity of the receiver is lowered by an amount such that a single response from only one device having the polled address will not be sensed, but combined responses from more than one device having the same address are sensed.

Abstract: An output voltage supplied to alarm devices in an alarm system is adjusted according to either a standby condition or an alarm condition. In the standby condition, a power control circuit adjusts power so that a standby voltage is supplied to the alarm devices which allows the alarm devices to respond to poll messages regarding their alarm status. An alarm condition is triggered when an alarm device responds with an alarm status indicating an alarm condition. During an alarm condition, the power control circuit adjusts power to provide a higher voltage to the alarm devices in order to allow additional alarm device functions to be operated.