Do Vapes Set Off Smoke Alarms?

As many of us vape indoors, we’ve all had the same thought: ”Is my vape going to set off the smoke alarm?” Let’s get into it.

If you’re vaping indoors, you may be wondering if your plumes are going to set off the smoke detector. No one wants to be interrupted by a blaring fire alarm. And if you’re away from home—in a hotel room or a friend’s flat—you obviously don’t want to be a nuisance.

So, will your vape set off the smoke alarm? Maybe. The answer to this isn’t a simple yes or no. There are several factors which will determine whether or not you’re in the clear.

Let’s get into it.

Smoke Alarms: MTL vs. DTL

It’s important to note that if you’re a “chain vaper” (someone who takes constant puffs), you’re far more likely to set off the fire alarm regardless of which type of device you use.

Vaping & Smoke Alarms: The Basics

When asking yourself “Should I vape in here?” you should consider a few basic points.

Do you know which type of alarm you have?

There are four main types of smoke detectors: ionisation (the classic smoke detector), optical, multi-sensor, and heat. Vaping is likely to set off ionisation, optical, and multi-sensor alarms, but is unlikely to set off a heat detector.

Heat detectors (or heat alarms) are a type of fire alarm often used in kitchens and bathrooms, as they’re less prone to false alarms from cooking fumes and steam.

The type of smoke alarm you have will determine whether or not you’re likely to set it off.

How close are you to the smoke detector?

If you’re vaping in your bedroom and the smoke alarm is outside the room in the corridor, you’re probably safe to go on ahead. But if your fire alarm is directly overhead, you’ll want to proceed with caution.

Is the room ventilated?

Adding more ventilation by opening a window can help to dilute the vapour concentration in the air and lower your chances of accidentally setting off the alarm.

How much vapour are you producing?

If you’re a standard sub-ohm vaper or an MTL user who chain-vapes, you’re more likely to trigger the alarm than someone who produces less vapour.

How high are your ceilings?

If you’ve got higher than average ceilings, you’re probably safe from setting off the fire alarm so long as the room is reasonably well-ventilated and you’re not chain-vaping a sub-ohm device.

How to Vape Without Setting Off the Smoke Alarm

If you’re a chain vaper or a sub-ohm user and still want to vape indoors without setting off the smoke alarm, fear not—we’ve got some tips to help you.

DO NOT cover or disable the smoke alarm. Please, for the love of god, don’t do it. We know it’s tempting. It’s there for a reason and could save your life—but not if you cover or disable it.

Invest in an air purifier. There are large, free-standing ones available which can be quite expensive, but you can also get smaller models which sit on your desk or nightstand. Blowing your vapour directly into or in the direction of the air purifier will result in your vapour being filtered, and your smoke detector will be none the wiser. Plus, it’ll help prevent glycerin residue from building up on your windows and mirrors.

Get a low-powered device for vaping indoors. If you’re a regular sub-ohm vaper, why not invest in a cheap vape kit for at-home use? These lower-powered MTL devices are far less likely to set off a smoke alarm.

Open a window. Ventilation is key when vaping indoors near a smoke detector. Keeping a window open will help dilute the vapour in the air.

Don’t vape directly under the smoke detector. As a personal rule of thumb, I like to ensure I’m at least a metre away (both vertically and horizontally) from any fire alarm when I’m vaping my pod kit inside.

Summary: Vaping & Smoke Alarms

One of the benefits of switching from smoking to vaping is that you can now enjoy your nicotine indoors without causing irreparable damage to the walls or leaving behind a wretched smell.

In truth, the only real evidence that vaping leaves behind inside is a harmless PG/VG residue on windows and mirrors, which can easily be cleaned (if you’ve ever wondered why vape shops have foggy windows, now you know!).

Hopefully this article has quashed some of your fears and given you some actionable advice for vaping indoors. The key takeaway points are as follows:

• DO NOT cover or disable your smoke alarm to vape indoors
• If you’re using an MTL pod device, you’re probably fine—but those who chain-vape or use a sub-ohm device should beware
• Ventilate the room or use an air purifier to put your mind at ease
• Try to put some distance between yourself and the smoke detector

Hopefully, with these tips, you’ll be able to vape a little more care-free.

Curious about “second-hand vapour” or passive vaping? Check out our article: Breaking News: “Passive Vaping” Poses Minimal Risk of Harm