The meteoric rise of vaping among students has become a major concern for schools across the country. Vape detectors, such as Soter Technologies’ FlySense® help school facilities teams create a safe, healthy school environment. If you’re considering installing vape detectors, here’s what you need to know, and how to get started.
Why Vape Detectors?
Vapes pose significant health risks to students, not to mention being a disruption in school and in class. Ordinary surveillance methods can’t always work, especially in areas where privacy concerns limit the use of cameras. Soter Technologies recognized this gap and developed FlySense® – the world’s first and leading vape detector and bullying monitor. Through a combination of powerful detectors, FlySense® detects vape and cigarette smoke as well as high sound levels to deter bullying, helping to keep schools safer and healthier.
Evaluate Your School’s Needs
The first step in installing vape detectors in your school is to understand the school’s specific requirements. That means:
- Identify High-Risk Areas: Focus on restrooms, locker rooms, and other secluded spots where students are more likely to vape.
- Determine Coverage: Decide how many detectors are needed based on the size of the area and the number of entry points.
- Budget Planning: Consider the financial aspects, including potential funding options. Soter Technologies offers information on how school funds to budget for vape detectors
From there, you’ll want to decide on the right vape detector to match your school’s needs. For example, the FlySense® FS286 offers vape and cigarette smoke detection along with anti-bullying features, whereas the FlySense® FS300 provides a more advanced, cloud-based solution that includes detailed reporting.
Getting Started with Installation, Step-by-Step
Before installing vape detectors, make sure you’re taking into account the best possible strategic placement. We recommend Installing detectors at recommended heights to effectively sense vape particles and monitor sound. Make sure that detectors are not blocked by vents, windows, or other objects that could interfere with detection. If you’ve chosen a battery-operated model, be sure you have nearby access to reliable power outlets.
To install vape detectors:
- Carefully unpack the detectors, checking for any visible damage.
- Use the provided mounting hardware to secure the detectors at the planned locations.
- Connect the detectors to the school’s network, ensuring they can communicate with the central monitoring system.
- Plug in the detectors or insert batteries as required.
- Adjust sensitivity levels to balance responsiveness and minimize false alarms.
- Set up notifications to be sent via text, email, or both, specifying the recipients and content.
- Enable features that alert staff to any attempts to tamper with or disable the detectors. FlySense® includes audible signals that activate when tampering is detected.
Once the installation process is complete, you’ll want to test and calibrate the vape detectors for the best possible performance. Simulate vaping scenarios to make sure the system is working as it should be. Make sure that staff are receiving alerts and that the alerts are accurate, and optionally fine-tine the sensitivity based on your test results.
Training Staff and Students
Taking the time to properly educate staff and students about the new vape monitoring system can go a long way toward deterring vaping behavior while keeping staff informed of what to do when it happens. Show staff how to work with the vape detectors, how to maintain them, and how to troubleshoot them if something isn’t working right.
It’s also a good idea to establish clear protocols for what happens when a vaping alert is received, such as notifying security or the administration. Keep records of all incidents, as well as responses and outcomes, not just for accountability, but for future reference as well.
Let students know that vape detectors have been installed in the school and remind them of any penalties they may face if they tamper with them. Based on the information you gather after each incident, periodically go back and review how effective the response was and make adjustments if necessary.
Maintaining Your Vape Detectors
Regular upkeep keeps your vape detectors working for years to come. Schedule periodic checks and tests to make sure they’re working at the highest levels. Keep the monitoring software up-to-date as it often includes new features and security fixes. Soter Technologies also provides technical support if you need additional help with any of our FlySense vape detectors.
Getting Started with FlySense® Vape Detectors
Soter Technologies is invested in protecting the health and well-being of students while contributing to a positive learning environment through our detailed, cutting-edge vape detectors. By following this step-by-step guide, school facilities teams can quickly install, configure and maintain their vape detectors, helping to reduce vaping and bullying on the school grounds.
With over 2,500 organizations using our vape detectors across 30 countries, we invite you to see for yourself how our leading technology and devices can help create a safer environment for students while protecting them from the dangers of vaping, smoking and bullying alike. Over 30,000 Flysense® devices are currently in use in schools and other organizations around the world, making our powerful devices one of the top vape detectors on the market.
Flysense® vape detectors are also incredibly affordable. Campuses large and small have embraced our cutting-edge solutions to deliver comprehensive vape detection in areas where ordinary cameras can’t go. With advanced new features like cloud-based technologies and reporting, school facilities teams now have a powerful tool in their arsenal to fight back against the dangers of vaping in school.
At Soter Technologies, we’re committed to helping not only create the world’s highest-quality vape detectors, but to educate schools, teams and organizations about the dangers of vaping. We encourage teachers, staff, parents and others to learn more about how vapes are marketed to children and teenagers, and to be an advocate for the health and safety of your children and your schools.
