Smoke Detectors and Vaping

[skt239]

While at my parents house the other weekend, I was holed up in the guest bedroom vigorously pound away at the keyboard and chain vaping. The room was getting quite foggy but I didn't pay any attention as I was trying to beat a deadline for work. Much to my surprise, the smoke detector starts wailing. I was pretty shocked as I've read that vape won't set of a smoke detector. So, has this ever happened to anyone else? Is it possible or was it just a freak occurrence?

 

[AmandaD]

Yes, vapor definitely sets off smoke alarms. As does a hot, steamy shower LOL

Put a shower hat over it (unless it's one of the higher-end ones, then apparently this doesn't work)

 

[skt239]

Yes, vapor definitely sets off smoke alarms. As does a hot, steamy shower LOL

Put a shower hat over it (unless it's one of the higher-end ones, then apparently this doesn't work)

Good idea. Yet another item to add to my vape kit.

 

[AmandaD]

Good idea. Yet another item to add to my vape kit.

Just use a disposable one - or a plastic bag!

 

[zaroba]

I've had it happen, but only when vaping next to my smoke detector.
A smoke detector right outside a bathroom may be set off when the door is opened if the bathroom is steamy from a shower.
Buddy of mine was helping run a vape meet in spring, afterwards he told me they had to move the meet because during the first day of it the smoke alarms went off in the building from all the vapors.


Not a freak occurrence at all, just the detector (kinda) doing it's job of detecting a lot of particles in the air.
2 main types of smoke detectors are ionizing and photoelectric.
Photoelectric has a light beam that when blocked by smoke (or steam/vapor), causes an alarm.
Ionizing uses a microscopic amount of radioactive material and 2 metal plates, electric current is applied to the plates causing charged ions from the radioactive material to go from one plate to the other and complete the electric circuit. Smoke (or steam/vapor) blocks the flow of ions causing an alarm to sound.

 

[skt239]

I've had it happen, but only when vaping next to my smoke detector.
A smoke detector right outside a bathroom may be set off when the door is opened if the bathroom is steamy from a shower.
Buddy of mine was helping run a vape meet in spring, afterwards he told me they had to move the meet because during the first day of it the smoke alarms went off in the building from all the vapors.


Not a freak occurrence at all, just the detector (kinda) doing it's job of detecting a lot of particles in the air.
2 main types of smoke detectors are ionizing and photoelectric.
Photoelectric has a light beam that when blocked by smoke (or steam/vapor), causes an alarm.
Ionizing uses a microscopic amount of radioactive material and 2 metal plates, electric current is applied to the plates causing charged ions from the radioactive material to go from one plate to the other and complete the electric circuit. Smoke (or steam/vapor) blocks the flow of ions causing an alarm to sound.

Great breakdown, sir. Thanks for the detailed response.