Yes, with enough vaping, a regular home smoke detector can be triggered by vaping. We show this in a demonstration here by Dr. Koz, see the video below.
Smoke detectors are designed to detect particles in the air that are produced by combustion, which is the process of burning something. Vaping does not involve the combustion of any materials, so the amount of smoke produced is generally much less than what is produced by smoking traditional cigarettes.
In general, it is best to avoid vaping in close proximity to smoke detectors. If you do need to vape in a location where these detectors are present, it is a good idea to keep a safe distance and make sure that the vape device is not producing a large amount of smoke (high wattage).
What is the Difference Between a Smoke Detector and Vape Detector?
A traditional smoke detector, which is designed to detect the presence of smoke is not as sensitive as a vape detector. Vape detectors typically employ highly sensitive laser sensors that detect low-concentration particles and aerosols. Aerosols and particles produced by vaping are composed of water, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and nicotine.
Can Vaping Trigger a Carbon Monoxide Alarm?
It is possible for vaping to trigger a carbon monoxide alarm, although this is not a common occurrence. Carbon monoxide detectors are designed to detect the presence of carbon monoxide gas in the air, and they can be triggered by a variety of sources, including combustion appliances, vehicles, and tobacco products.
Does Vaping Produce Carbon Monoxide?
Vaping devices do not produce carbon monoxide gas, but some of the vapor produced by these devices may contain trace amounts of carbon monoxide but not enough to exceed the trigger threshold of a home CO detector UL2034 which is set to 70 ppm.
Conclusions
- In general, the risk of a carbon monoxide detector being triggered by vaping is low, especially if the device is being used in a well-ventilated area.
- It is always a good idea to be cautious when vaping near any type of detector, as it is possible for the device to be triggered in some situations.
- Vaping does not produce enough carbon monoxide to trigger a CO detector.
- Dr. Koz has shown a CO detector can be triggered via vaping but requires close proximity.
About the Author
Dr. Koz resides in the Palos Verdes Peninsula in Los Angeles, California. He is a subject matter expert on vape detectors, gas sensor technology, gas detectors, gas meters, and gas analyzers. He has been designing, building, manufacturing, and testing toxic gas detection systems for over 20 years.
Every day is a blessing for Dr. Koz. He loves to help customers solve their unique problems. Dr. Koz also loves spending time with his wife and his three children going to the beach, grilling burgers, and having a cold beer. Read more about Forensics Detectors here.
Email: drkoz@vapedetectors.com
Phone: +1 424-341-3886