Abstract: A method of calibrating a detector that includes a volatile organic compound (VOC) sensor is provided. The method includes assembling the detector with the VOC sensor for field deployment and calibrating the VOC sensor using carbon monoxide (CO) as a calibrant prior to the field deployment.

Abstract: A smoke detector with an emitter and a receiver defining an angular distance there between less than 90°, the angular distance between the emitter and the receiver generating a back scatter effect, and a method of operating the smoke detector are provided. The smoke detector includes a housing defining a chamber for receiving ambient materials, an emitter configured to emit light (ex. infrared light or any light in the visible spectrum, such as blue light) into the chamber, a receiver configured to receive light reflected from the ambient materials in the chamber and generate output signals, and a controller configured to receive output signals from the receiver and determine whether a current condition of the chamber indicates a need to trigger an alarm.

Abstract: A smoke detector with an emitter and a receiver defining an angular distance there between less than 90°, the angular distance between the emitter and the receiver generating a back scatter effect, and a method of operating the smoke detector are provided. The smoke detector includes a housing defining a chamber for receiving ambient materials, an emitter configured to emit light (ex. infrared light or any light in the visible spectrum, such as blue light) into the chamber, a receiver configured to receive light reflected from the ambient materials in the chamber and generate output signals, and a controller configured to receive output signals from the receiver and determine whether a current condition of the chamber indicates a need to trigger an alarm.