How Does A High School Vape Detector Work?

Top Tips On Using A High School Vape Detector

One type of location that we install vape detectors in more than any other is schools. With vaping on the rise among younger people, educational establishments are having to take steps to curb use on their premises. In this guide, we take a deep dive into using a high school vape detector. 

If you’re new to this technology, we provide an explanation of how vape detectors work in schools. We also explain the best places to install them, and how much they cost. 

If you need any help or advice in buying or fitting a high school vape detector, get in touch with us. We offer a free helpline where you can order a demo kit and learn more about the product. 

What Is A Vape Detector And How Do They Work?

A vape detector is a small device that you can fix to a ceiling, like a smoke alarm. It uses the latest technologies to trigger an alert when it senses that someone is using a vape device. 

Devices have an internal threshold for detecting vapor. When this threshold is met, it activates the alarm and sends an alert to all supervisory staff. Each person is informed of the location of the alarm so that they can make an effective intervention. This threshold feature is important as it can minimize the chances of false alarms. 

Here at Triton Sensors, we use our own unique detection technology called 3D Sense. Not only can it pick up on the vapor produced by vapes, but it can also pick up on THC vapes, tobacco smoke, and it can also be used to monitor noise levels. Our devices are also tamper-proof.

Installation of vape detectors is generally straightforward and can be done at home or at the likes of a high school without the need for specialist engineers. 

The vape detectors that we produce are powered with ethernet cables, meaning there’s no need to change batteries. These cables also supply it with internet coverage, which is more reliable than relying on WiFi. 

Why Are Vape Detectors Needed In High Schools?

Vaping is becoming a more accessible form of smoking for younger people. A study in 2020 by K Jones and G Salzman went as far as to describe the rise in the use of vaping devices among 10-19-year-olds as an ‘epidemic’. 

While vaping is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 in most US states, the same study has found that advertising is mostly directed at adolescents. With the likes of fun and appealing flavors and colorful packaging, it’s an eye draw for many young people. 

However, there are health consequences to vaping, especially for young people and high school students, which we discuss below.

It’s up to schools to do as much as they can to combat vaping in order to protect their students. One of our clients, Luling ISD, approached us with these concerns. With our help, they saw an 83% drop in vaping incidents within 10 weeks of using our sensors. You can read our case study here. 

The Health Impact Of Student Vaping

Though vaping is seen as a better alternative to smoking tobacco, it still carries with it a number of health risks. Much of the harm stems from the chemicals used in vapes to give it both its effect and its flavor. 

Some of the most common chemicals found in vapes include:

It’s always important to study the vape devices and e-cigarettes you smoke to be aware of the impact they could have. 

Best Places To Position A High School Vape Detector

There are several places within a high school or even middle schools where a vape detector could be installed. Some locations are deemed “hot spots”, where there are fewer eyes of supervisors and school officials and a lack of security camera coverage. Bathrooms and stairwells are some of the most common spots. 

However, over-confident students may try to vape in more open locations, like canteens or even classrooms when a teacher’s back is turned. As vapor is largely odorless and disappears quickly, quick vapes may get missed even in public places.

Let’s take a look at some of these locations in more detail. 

Bathrooms

One of the most popular locations for students vaping in high schools is bathrooms. With no security cameras permitted, there are no prying eyes of teachers and supervisors. Students can therefore feel freer and at ease to do things like vape. 

By installing a vape detector, you can get an unobtrusive yet clear idea as to whether or not there are any students vaping and breaking the rules. Being able to enforce the rules will also make school bathrooms a safer and less anti-social space for other students.

The vape detectors we sell here at Triton Sensors are also tamper-proof, meaning that if any student tries to cover it or damage it, it will trigger the alarm. It’s also possible to get more sturdy cases to combat the most determined students’ efforts.

Stairwells

Similar to bathrooms, stairwells offer high school students a quiet and secluded area in which to vape. 

Implementing vape detectors on a set of stairs can be tricky, however. The shape and openness of the area mean that it’s important to get the right location. You may also require multiple detectors to ensure you get complete coverage.

However, focusing on stairwell landings and the bottom or tops of stairs can prove most effective. It’s safe to say that students caught vaping here may be less likely to do so again in the future.

Changing And Locker Rooms

Changing and locker rooms within schools also offer a similar challenge to bathrooms. With no security cameras in these areas, it’s difficult to police vaping policies. Steam from showers can also mask any vapor from vape pens and e-cigarettes. 

Fitting a vape detector in changing rooms can act as a major deterrent. Offenders can be caught with ease and the policy enforced effectively, which will hopefully help set a positive example to other students.

Canteens and Classrooms 

Although vaping in high schools is usually done discreetly, out of the view of teachers and supervisors, there’s nothing to stop a brash young person from vaping in a more public setting. 

In classrooms, when teachers have their backs turned students may try to vape. Given how quickly the vapor can dissipate and with it being odorless in many cases, teachers may have a tough time catching students and enforcing the rules.

The same situation may arise in busy canteens where there are lots of students gathering at the same time. 

By extending your vape detector coverage to these locations as well, you can better enforce a no vaping policy across the site, rather than in just those more secluded locations.

How Much Are Vape Detectors For Schools?

The cost of vape detectors can vary depending on the technology they use. However, at Triton Sensors we do our best to ensure both quality and affordability. 

Not only do we offer significant discounts on volume orders, but we can also help you with the writing of funding grants at both state and federal levels. This can be a big help to school resource officers and school administrators who may not have a big budget for vape detection.

One of the biggest benefits of using our 3D Sense vape and smoke detectors is that you don’t need to purchase extra batteries and they’re designed to be durable and long-lasting. What’s more, we also over a 10-year warranty, which is the very best in the industry. 

We appreciate that you may still want to try before you buy, however, and that’s why we offer a free vape detector demo kit which we can ship to you wherever you’re based in the country.

Get A High School Vape Detector Today

If you’re keen on a vape detector in your high school, you’ll be pleased to learn that you can request a free demo kit today. 

With our years of experience and expertise, we understand and appreciate that a single device may not be enough for your school. Some educational establishments we’ve worked in have scores of bathrooms and lots of quiet locations where students could vape. We can easily set up effective detection networks that will alert you and your staff right away. 

What’s more, our vape detectors are subtle and tamper-proof, giving you peace of mind and a greater ability to enforce no-vaping rules within your school.

If you’d like to learn more, call us today for free using the number at the top of this page, or you can write to us via our contact page here. 

Key Takeaways On Vape Detectors In High Schools