With vape detectors in school struggling to keep up with the vaping epidemic, some have turned to sensor technology to help curb the issue. Sensors, which look like smoke detectors, monitor the air for vapor emissions. If they detect nicotine vapor, it triggers the alarm and alerts school administrators to investigate.

The devices are placed in restrooms – one of the most popular places for students to vape. In some cases, schools have even taken steps to limit bathroom access. A Minnesota high school, for instance, closed off a portion of its bathrooms to discourage students from using the facility to vape.

Securing School Environments: Implementing Vape Detectors in Schools

However, many schools have found that simply placing sensors in the bathroom isn’t enough to prevent students from smoking. For example, some students find ways to circumvent the sensors by exhaling into the toilet or their sleeves. Others simply avoid using the bathroom altogether to avoid triggering the alarm.

That’s why districts are turning to vape detectors to provide a deterrent that makes it difficult for students to sneak a vape or use one in the bathroom. In addition, they can be paired with smart security cameras to allow for video evidence to help identify the culprits.

HALO is designed to detect particulates in the air caused by vaping as well as those generated by outdoor sources like vehicle exhaust fumes, wildfires, and power plant emissions. It also provides tamper detection, allowing school administrators to be notified the minute someone tampers with the device and locate the source of the disturbance.