Can E-cigarette Vapor Trigger Smoke Detectors?

Does e-cigarette vapor trigger smoke detectors? When Southwest Airlines flight 3654 took off from Florida, everything seemed normal, except for one passenger who was restless due to a nicotine craving. During the flight, that passenger finally succumbed to the urge and snuck into the restroom to vape. However, shortly after, all passengers, including him, were jolted by a loud alarm -- the plane's fire alarm went off, leading to an emergency landing. Can e-cigarette vapor trigger regular smoke detectors? Some believe that e-cigarettes do not trigger smoke detectors, so an experiment was conducted abroad:
 
Well, the situation in the video is somewhat extreme. In the example above, Tom directly blew smoke into the smoke detector.

Usually, Tom and I vape in the office, but even when I use an Aspire CF Sub Ohm battery and compete with our "mixologist" to see who can take the longest puff, I have never triggered a smoke detector until I blew smoke directly into it.

According to smoke detectors produced by St Davids Fire, a puff from an e-cigarette will not trigger modern smoke detectors, as these detectors are designed to minimize "false alarms." However, if you smoke indoors, even on a plane, you still have a chance of triggering a smoke detector, especially when you are exhaling large clouds of vapor.

(And please do not smoke on a plane, as the consequences can be severe. Just like that passenger who caused the emergency landing, he ended up spending a night in a Qatari prison).

Which type of smoke detector is more likely to be triggered by e-cigarette vapor?

Ionization: Sensitive to small smoke particles. They contain two charged radioactive plates. When smoke particles enter the detector, they disrupt the electrical current between the two plates, triggering the smoke detector. The detector we used in our experiment was an ionization type.

Optical alarms: The main component of optical smoke detectors is an infrared light beam. When smoke particles enter the detector, they scatter the infrared light, triggering the detector.

Heat alarms: Common in kitchens. These smoke detectors are the least likely to be triggered by e-cigarette vapor, as they detect temperature rather than particles.

When we consulted the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, they informed us that optical smoke detectors should be the most easily triggered by e-cigarette vapor, although our experimental experience suggests that ionization smoke detectors can also be triggered.

What are the chances of your e-cigarette triggering a smoke detector?

Fortunately, news of e-cigarettes triggering smoke detectors is not common. Smoke detectors detect smoke particles (tiny solids produced by burning materials), while e-cigarette "smoke" is made up of vapor (a mixture of gaseous and tiny liquid particles). Additionally, vapor dissipates faster than smoke particles.

However, we currently believe that the PG and flavorings contained in the vapor make the particles in e-cigarette vapor larger than those produced by steam from a kettle. According to experiments conducted by Ohio University with fog machines, fog machines containing propylene glycol can also trigger smoke detectors.

So, while regular smoke detectors seem unlikely to be triggered by e-cigarette vapor, there is still a possibility.

Is it "safe" to vape in hotels?

Different hotels have different regulations regarding e-cigarettes; some hotels completely ban e-cigarettes, while others have no specific regulations regarding them. (If it's a hotel that is more "friendly" to e-cigarettes, it might be a good idea to patronize and support them.)

However, hotel smoke detectors are generally more sensitive than standard ones found in your office or home, and when Tom blew smoke at the smoke detector in the Premier Inn hotel, he noticed the red light on the detector began to flash.

Meanwhile, an unfortunate Reddit user triggered the smoke detector in his hotel at 7 AM, waking up everyone in the hotel, and he ended up being fined $200. #p#分页标题#e#

So, if you want to vape in a hotel, it's best to check where the smoke detectors are located and use your e-cigarette outside of their detection range, or stand by a window.

Will your e-cigarette vapor trigger smoke detectors on a plane?

Smoke detectors on planes are extremely, extremely, super sensitive.

Most (but not all) airlines do not allow you to use standard e-cigarettes on board (although some airlines sell small vapor versions of e-cigarettes on planes).

As we saw earlier, some people have spent a night in prison for smoking on Qatar Airways flights. While spending a night in prison is an extreme case, generally, your e-cigarette will be confiscated, and you will have to pay a hefty fine, or even be placed on a no-fly list.

In the UK, most trains and buses prohibit e-cigarettes.

In conclusion, it is advisable not to use e-cigarettes on planes, high-speed trains, or in places where smoking is prohibited.