[email protected]    Southampton, UK

Best practice for handling vaping alerts

We recognise that detecting vaping is just the beginning of addressing this growing challenge among students. Drawing on insights from our experience with hundreds of schools and millions of recorded incidents, we offer practical, evidence-based advice to help you manage and reduce vaping in your school community. Read on to learn more.

How the technology works

The basics

Sensor takes readings

The sensor is constantly taking air quality readings and sending them over wifi to the VapeGuardian system to be analysed
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Step 01

System analysis

If 9 specific changes in the readings have occurred then the VapeGuardian system identifies that vaping has taken place
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Step 02

Notification

If vaping is detected then alerts are sent to assigned members of staff. If there is no vaping, then no alerts are sent
Step 03

Types of alerts available

App

App

The VapeGuardian app is available for download on both iOS and Android devices. Once signed in, you can receive alerts directly through the app, similar to notifications from WhatsApp or Facebook. 

Email

Email

Within seconds of someone vaping, an email alert can be sent directly to your inbox, providing precise details about the location and time of the incident.

SMS

SMS

Alerts via text message can also be sent out to your phone number. With all of the same information as the app or email alerts. SMS is the only means of alert that incurs an extra expense – at a cost of £0.02 p/message. 

Display

Display

Android enabled smart screens can display alerts in real-time, room-by-room, via the VapeGuardian TV app. Alerts will show up over the app, detailing which device has been triggered. 

Checklist

Before a plan is put in place for how to deal with incidents, we need to make sure that a few key principles are in place and that your organisation is prepared. 

  • The system is set up

    The system is set up

    This means the devices are installed, added to the network, rooms created in the system and alerts have been tested

  • Members of staff are added

    Members of staff are added

    Staff can be added by the "manager". And each member of staff can chose their prefered alert type from within their own account. If emails are selected, ensure alerts don't automatically go to Junk.

  • Testing

    Testing

    Someone needs to ensure that every device is sending notifcations as it should. This can be done by vaping in the room where each device is installed and waiting to see if the correct notifications arrive.

Frequently asked questions

Vaping and vape detection is an always developing landscape. Here are some answers to commonly asked questions on the topic

Can we just use smoke detectors?

No. Unfortunately, smoke detectors are only equipped to detect smoke. Vaping doesn’t produce smoke and therefore renders smoke alarms ineffective.

How many sensors do we need?

This depends on the area you are wanting to cover. Each sensor has an effective range of 12×12′ (based on an 9′ high ceiling). We recommend purchasing one every 12′ squared of floor space.

How do we receive alerts?

Notifications are sent within seconds of vaping being detected via SMS, email, the VapeGuardian apps (Android or iOS) or the web-app.

How many sensors can we have?

Unlimited. Our system can notify you of vaping on an unlimited number of sensors. So, no matter how large your organisation, you can ensure that vaping is not permitted anywhere.

We also only charge £16.99 per month for all the sensors you need (when sensors are purchased upfront).

How many users can we add?

Unlimited. The main admin (we call them a “Manager”) user will be able to assign an unlimited number of users (we call them “staff”) to the account.

Why does VapeGuardian cost so much less than other sensors?

We are a UK start-up that specialises in vape detection. It’s all we do, and we do it very well. We have chosen to work on smaller margins to help schools to be able to afford our system and in-turn better serve the cause of putting an end to vaping. 

We have a strong firewall, can the sensors still connect?

We work with hundreds of different types of firewalls and types of network security. If the standard specs that we send out aren’t sufficient for getting you connected, then our specialist team will work with your IT team to find a solution.

100-day money back guarantee?
Our sensors work. So we’re confident that if you install them, you will have an effective solution.
100 days money back if you’re not satisfied removes the risk of outlying on a vape detection system
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