In recent years, the use of electronic cigarettes, also known as vaping, has grown in popularity, with many students and youth preferring it to traditional smoking. While it can be argued that vaping devices are less of a health risk than conventional tobacco products, vaping has its own drawbacks.

The Role of Smart Sensors in Helping Schools to Detect the Unseen

Due to various reasons, both smoking and vaping are banned in certain settings, such as educational institutes, public transport, playgrounds and exercise areas. Even though it is easy to identify cigarette smoke with traditional smoke detectors, detecting vaping requires special devices. That’s where vape sensors come into play. These devices can identify a variety of chemicals, including THC, CBD, nicotine, and vape particles. The main purpose of a vape detector such as the HALO vape sensor is to monitor and identify vaping activity in order to deter offenders and keep the environment safe.

Vape detectors are typically installed in schools, workplaces, hotels, and other areas where vaping is prohibited. These sensors need a constant power supply, which can be provided by a battery or through a wired connection. They serve a crucial function in areas where vaping is prohibited, helping to detect vaping incidents and enforce anti-e-cigarette regulations. Moreover, vape detectors also offer real-time monitoring and alerts, enabling prompt responses to reported incidents. 

Understanding the mechanics and features of vape sensors such as HALO vape detectors allows you to make informed decisions about adopting these devices into your safety procedures. So, in order to gain a better understanding, let us take a look at vape detectors, their key features, and how they operate.

Key Features of Vape Detectors

Modern business and property owners have access to a wide range of vape detectors, with each one being ideally suited for a specific setting. However, regardless of the type of sensor used, you should prioritise the following criteria to maintain security system accuracy and reliability.

  • Multiple Sensors

Non-vaping stimuli, such as aerosol deodorants, chemical fumes, or steam, can sometimes accidentally activate vape sensors. Selecting vape detectors with multiple sensors, such as THC and chemical detectors, provides staff with more contextual data to identify false alarms.

  • High Sensitivity

As vape aerosols are not constant among devices, some vapes produce smaller particles than others. Therefore, you should look for vape sensors that can detect even the smallest particulate matter.

  • Security Integrations

Deciding to incorporate vaping sensors into more comprehensive security systems enables the development of automated responses. CCTV cameras, for instance, can be connected to sensors and configured to identify surveillance footage automatically, ensuring that evidence is gathered reliably.  

  • Real-time Alerts

Some vape detectors can send instant alerts to security teams through SMS or email when alarms are activated. Opting to use these types of sensors ensures that any vaping issue is swiftly addressed.

  • Customisable Settings

Effective vape detectors allow you to change detection thresholds and sensitivity levels depending on the environmental conditions and regulatory needs.

Vape Detectors and Smoke Detectors: How are They Different?

The main distinction between smoke and vape detectors is the type of sensor technology used in each style of device. Vape detectors identify specific chemicals in e-cigarette vapour through the use of particulate, optical, gas, and chemical sensors. Vape sensors such as HALO vape detectors are unable to identify the carboniferous particles created by burning. Moreover, optical vape sensors are not designed to detect the specific ways in which light interacts with smoke from a fire. 

Therefore, smoke detectors are regarded as safety equipment that alert staff of fires and activate fire suppression systems in response to fire smoke. However, smoke detectors are regarded as less effective at sensing the presence of cigarette smoke.

You should install vape sensors with nicotine detectors to identify smoke and vapour from e-cigarettes. If you want to develop a reliable fire detection system, you should install smoke detectors. However, some modern vape sensors can detect both vaping and smoke, improving the effectiveness of alarm and sensor systems. 

How Do Vape Detectors Work?

In contrast to standard smoke detectors, which target larger particles, vape sensors detect vaping by identifying smaller, less dense particles. They are able to detect vaping by focusing on finer details such as vape particles, gasses and compounds. Moreover, vape detectors such as HALO vape sensors can monitor air quality by identifying contaminants such as particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds.

The integration of these devices with IoT technologies enables them to provide real-time alerts and notifications, significantly improving response times to vaping incidents. This is beneficial in situations where prompt action is required to address vaping offences and ensure safety.

SPIRALTECH – Elevate Your Business Security Systems with the Best Vape and Smoking Sensors

Do you want your premises to be vape-free? Then, installing vape detectors is the way to go. At SPIRALTECH, we offer high-quality HALO vape sensors to help your business maintain a safe and healthy environment. Since HALO vape detectors do not record audio, use cameras, or gather personal data, it is the ideal solution for private facilities such as restrooms and common areas.

Some of their key features include vape detection, noise warnings, gunshot detection, and emergency keyword alerting. We also provide video management systems, thermal cameras, facial recognition systems, and cloud solutions for your business requirements. For more information about our products and services, get in touch with us today!