PV's and smoke detectors?

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gordong11

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I have read in some places that vape won't set off smoke detectors, but I just blew 1 normal vape into my home smoke detector from about 12 inches, and it went off for 5 seconds then stopped.

I'm concerned that when I vape at work, behind closed doors the alarms will go off. Normally I would never blow my vape into a detector of course, but I was curious if anyone has had issues of smoke detectors going off?

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sailorman

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It's rare for a PV to set off a detector unless the vapor is blown straight into it. Even then, it has to be a particular type, a photoelectric type, that detects changes in a light path. So the vapor has to be pretty dense. Other types rely on products of combustion or heat changes and they won't go off at all. Due to where most detectors are mounted, and the way vapor dissipates rapidly, the chances of your setting off a detector at work is practically nil.
 

AngelVapor

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I agree. I vape at work all the time, sometimes with my office door shut. Not to mention a few good hits in a hospital room, store and even in a small bathroom with a smoke detector in it and Nothing.

I just experimented with the smoke detector here at home...nope nothing. I know i'm short but blew tons of vapor while standing under it, blew it directly at it repeatedly and zip.
 

bikerdudejl

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Here's one I can help with! I work for a national fire alarm company and was also a firefighter! But heres the bad news, there is no straight answer! There are actually very many types of smoke detectors out there. See, a smoke detector doesnt necessarily look for smoke, but actually look for conditions that are present during a fire. Which is why people tend to have false alarms!Smoke detector has just become a generic term for an alarm activating device! Ill go over a few basic types!

Some "smoke detectors" called rate of rise, are actually sensing the heat in the room, now just because the room is hot doesnt mean it will necessarily go off, the smoke detector looks for a quick heat change say a change of 10 degrees every minute or so. your PV will NOT set this type off.

Some detectors, photo electric have a small IR light in them, the same type as your tv's remote control and sends that light to a photo sensor ( you have these in your car on the dashboard sometimes, they tell your car if its dark enough to turn on the automatic headlights) if this path is blocked by smoke or in our case vapor then yes, this device could go off! BUT due to the height of these detectors our vapor has already most likely dissipated into the air to cause this reaction, while possible, it is still not very likely!

another type takes air samples looking for chemicals in the air pre combustion, or pre fire in more generic terms. These devices are not typically found in a residential or commercial building and are more common in industrial settings where heat and smoke tend to be constant, such as a manufacturing or welding shop! you will NOT set one of these bad boys off.

The most common detector is the photo sensitive one, and you do have a slight possiblity of setting it off. very very minimal though. IF you want to be super cautious about it hold your drag in a little bit longer to allow less vapor on your exhale and you should be golden! Also, take care around air vents in the ceiling such as HVAC ducts, as these devices tend to have smoke detectors in them, this is a more condensed area than wide in the open so getting vapor directly in them can greatly increase the risk of a false alarm if the vent is shut off as there is less air space! But keep on vaping and dont let it bother you, just make sure to take care in very enclosed spaces and if your PV throws off a high amount of dense vapor (very common using 100% VG juices!)
 

AngelVapor

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denali_41

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sailorman

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Good post, bikerdude. Pretty much what I was trying to get at in my own crude way. The photoelectric type are the only ones that could possibly go off but since most offices have ceilings more than 7' high, it would be pretty tough to make one go off, even with 100%VG. I can take the biggest hit I can and blow it straight at my 7'6" ceiling and there is no way I can see any vapor by the time it gets more than about 3-4' from my mouth. Even standing up, it's pretty thin by the time it hits the ceiling. And, unlike smoke, vapor doesn't naturally rise or linger. I can't imagine anyone setting off a detector in a typical office without trying. I know people vape in airplane lavatories all the time without setting off the detector, which I presume are pretty high quality and may employ more than one detection method.
 

gordong11

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Thanks :) This really helped, I was nervous for a second, but under normal circumstances, really nothing to worry about. My new Innokin iTaste VV, is throwing off mad vape w/ a 2.6ohm ata and set to 4.1v. I'm surprised how much vape i am getting at this setting.

added: I also read this about airplanes, but I wouldnt trust his advice on airplane restrooms based on our conversation.

http://vaporcigreviews.com/smoking-electronic-cigarettes-on-an-airplane
 
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Stormlark

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that is steam and has different properties from vaping vape,,100% VG vape will hang in the air for more 30 minutes..

There is truth to this. While the majority of people here talk about the vapor dissipating within seconds, my VG juices do make the air a bit cloudy during heavy vaping sessions in small rooms. Most notable is when watching a movie in the dark. The vapor can be seen hanging in the air when the light from the TV hits it. I'm not talking about right after I exhale, either. I can stop vaping for 20 minutes or so and it hangs around. I have noticed, however, that this vapor does not rise to the ceiling like smoke or steam, so even 100% VG juices shouldn't set off a smoke alarm detecting light.
 
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