DO VAPES SET OFF SMOKE ALARMS?

Heat-sensitive alarms are designed to respond to heat in the air if there's a fire, and therefore are the least likely to be triggered by vapour.²

Ionisation smoke detectors work by monitoring the air particles between two electrically charged metal plates.³ If smoke disrupts the charged particles, the alarm is triggered. These types of smoke alarms can be triggered by vapour since vapour and smoke have a similar effect on fire alarms.⁴

Photoelectric (optical) smoke detectors project a small beam of light onto a sensor chamber to detect smoke particles. Smoke disrupts the beam and triggers the alarm. Vapour can disrupt the light beam in the same way that smoke can, triggering the alarm.

In fact, vapour may even be more likely to set off these detectors than cigarette smoke as some vaping devices produce more detectable ‘particles’ than cigarettes.¹

Possibly. Whether vaping sets off hotel smoke alarms depends on the type of alarm in the room. Your best bet is to respect hotel policies and never attempt to vape in hotel rooms where vaping is prohibited.

The rules in Canada and internationally are clear: you cannot vape on a plane. You may be able to travel with your vape device on a plane, but, like smoking, you can’t use it anywhere onboard the aircraft.

You can learn more about travelling with vapes on planes in our guide.

Smoke alarms aside, you should always show good manners when vaping indoors. Here are our top tips for good vaping etiquette:

• Check if you can vape in public places or on someone else’s property
• Respect personal space and avoid blowing vapour clouds onto others
• Respect people’s views on vaping
• Avoid vaping when others are eating around you

We've got more to share about where you can and can’t vape in our guide.

We have a world of vape devices to offer. Shop for Vuse online and explore our rechargeable vape devices, vape pods and disposable vape range. Vuse vapes are available in assorted flavours and nicotine strengths to suit different adult nicotine consumers.

References:

1. Fire Fighter Insider.  (2020).  Will Incense/Smoking/Vaping Set Off A Smoke Detector?  Available at: https://firefighterinsider.com/will-incense-smoking-vaping-set-off-a-smoke-detector/.  Accessed: 17 July 2024.
2. Verkada Inc.  (2024).  Smoke and Vape Detection for Smart Building Management.  Available at: https://info.verkada.com/iot-smart-sensors/smoke-thc-vape-detectors/.  Accessed: 17 July 2024.
3. National Fire Protection Association.  (2023).  Ionization vs Photoelectric. Available at: https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/home-fire-safety/smoke-alarms/ionization-vs-photoelectric.  Accessed: 12 July 2024.>
4. Kauffman Co.  (2018).  Can Vapes Or Cigarettes Trigger A Fire Alarm Or Sprinklers?  Available at: https://www.kauffmanco.net/blog/will-vapes-cigarettes-trigger-fire-alarm/.  Accessed: 17 July 2024.