Smoke and Vape Detection

Vaping was introduced in the UK in 2005 and was designed to help people stop smoking. Unlike traditional tobacco smoking, vaping simulates with vapor rather than smoke. The vapes are filled with a liquid mixture typically containing water, food grade flavouring, nicotine, CBD, propylene and other chemicals.

Though vaping hasn’t been around long enough to assess the full long-term risks, it is now widely acknowledged that vaping chemicals can affect breathing, cardiovascular health and even cause lung disease in users. Studies have also revealed that e-cigarette fluid can contain heavy, dangerous metals including lead and nickel.

Vaping has become convenient, cost-effective and accessible. You may encounter vape kits, vape pens, dabs, e-cigarettes, rechargeable vapes or disposable vapes.

You might mistake a vape device or e-cigarette for a USB stick or pod, they vary in sizes but there’s a uniform battery, sensor and flavour cartridge as part of the device.

Vapes, e-cigarettes, vape pens, mods, tanks, e-hookahs, or they may even be referred to by the brand name directly.

With the vape market offering an abundance of flavours, everything from candy floss to honeycomb, you can usually detect a vape in the area by its signature sweet, manufactured odour. The scent often lingers in the air and will be accompanied with a cloud of smoke/white fog.

No, vapes aren’t combustible as they contain no ash, smoke, tar or carcinogens. That said, disposable vapes are hitting the news for sparking a surge in fires at waste disposal sites due to broken batteries, which are highly flammable.

Whilst the impact of vaping on health is yet to be fully understood, there is research to suggest that vaping can impair brain development alongside trigger breathing problems, anxiety and addiction. Exposure can also increases the risk of addiction to other substances.

The sale of vaping products to anyone under 18 is illegal, with age verification required, but there’s no official legislation that bans vaping indoors or outdoors in the UK. The current standpoint is that vaping is 95% safer than smoking, with the UK’s regulatory systems ensuring high standards of quality and safety, as well as restrictions on advertising.

New regulations are continuously being reviewed, with calls to ban the sale and manufacturing of disposable vapes under the new Tobacco and Vapes Bill announced in November 2023.

Vape detectors are designed to monitor air quality and are triggered by the chemicals found in vape fluid, they then set off a silent alarm, notifying designated users of the presence of vaping.

Vape sensors range in price from hundreds to thousands of pounds. The cost depends on several factors, such as the sophistication and sensitivity of the product, the number of units, the cost for the cloud-based storage, and the option to connect to other security technology. Our StaySecure vape sensors start at £125+VAT and are priced per unit.

In the current climate, vaping has been highlighted as a growing issue in young adults and children. Schools, colleges, and universities all benefit from vape sensors, but beyond the education sector, public spaces such as stadiums, offices, cinemas and shopping centres are also candidates for this technology.

No. Whilst vape detectors are specialised in design to detect vape chemicals, they can also perform as smoke detectors and general air quality monitoring tools.

Flexibility is key when it comes to vape sensors, allowing schools and colleges to place units anywhere they feel is a hot spot for vaping. This can include toilets, hallways, changing rooms, and public spaces, such as gyms and hotel rooms. Each unit can pick up matter within a certain radius, usually a 12’ x 12’ area.

It’s important to decide how many areas you wish to cover with vape detection as this will help you decide how many units to order, but you can always trial out one unit to see how it works and build on your inventory over time. We offer a 30-day free trial, speak to our team to find out more.

When choosing where to install your sensors, consider the air flow of the room. Placing your sensors at the right height, in the right size room, with the air flow considerations allows your vape detectors to work optimally.

Because vape vapour is heavier than tobacco smoke, it doesn’t rise as high, therefore it’s advised not to install your units too high to get the best detection levels.

There are many options on the market for powering your sensors, so you have a choice when it comes to how your vape detector units are connected. From wireless Wi-Fi to battery power to wired power, there’s a solution for every space.

Chemical sprays, humidity, candles, cooking, vehicle emissions – there are a number of fine particles that can trigger a false positive on a vape detector. It’s worth bearing this in mind when choosing the locations for new sensors.

Yes, vaping can set off a smoke alarm, but you’d need to get the vapor incredibly close to the unit as they’re not generally sensitive enough to pick up the particles. They’re therefore not a substitute for vape sensors, especially as people are trying to avoid detection.

You can often choose how you’d like to be alerted to vape incidents, the most common are being sent a text or through an app notification.

Vape detectors are easy to maintain and require little maintenance, making them an easy way to help manage and monitor vape incidents.

Be vigilant when it comes to spotting discarded vaping pods or disposable devices around your site as well as sweet scents or clouds of vapour. Less obviously, you can monitor behavioural changes such increased anxiety, as well as some physical signs such sores around mouth.

At Cirtec, our specialists understand vape sensors inside-out, and we’re committed to offering a range of high-quality products to suit your needs, as well as product trials and financing options to cater to all budgets. Contact our team today to discuss your options.