FreshAir Launches Smoking Detection Solution for Education Environments

Sensor solutions company FreshAir recently announced the launch of the FreshAir1 Smoking Detection System, according to a news release. The technology monitors for and detects tobacco and marijuana smoke, and it is geared toward use in school and university buildings—as well as dormitories—to help enforce non-smoking polices and protect infrastructure and other property.

The FreshAir sensors detect specific molecules in tobacco and marijuana smoke as opposed to use of light or radiation. Further, “the molecularly imprinted polymer that forms the sensor resets following smoking detection, thus enabling continued monitoring without additional upkeep,” the news release reports. The devices are tamper-proof and use a cloud-based monitoring platform to help deter standard efforts to avoid smoke detection.

FreshAir Smoking Detection System
Image courtesy of FreshAir

The devices plug into standard outlets and are held in place with tamper-proof screws. The detection is WiFi-enabled, and each device connects to building networks to communicate continuously with the central monitoring platform. Each device can monitor up to 500 square feet of space.

When the device detects smoke, it sends an alert via email, desktop, or push notifications to a mobile device. The alerts include a timestamped report and the monitored location where it was detected, providing evidence to enforce building smoking policies. The accompanying mobile app and online portal include information like alert history, device information, and space to log additional information as needed, according to the press release.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Building Beyond Simulation: Creating Immersive Ecosystems for Healthcare Education

    Health sciences education is one of the fastest-growing facility types in colleges and universities. The demand for medical, nursing, and allied health professionals is driving the creation and renovation of medical simulation training facilities that provide students with real-world experience through advanced simulation-based learning.

  • Q&A: How to Prevent Kitchen Grease Fires in Commercial Kitchens

    School cafeterias and university dining halls serve thousands of meals daily, relying on high-heat equipment like fryers, grills, and ovens. While these operations keep students fed, they also generate significant grease-laden vapors. Without proper controls, this grease becomes a silent fire threat. As a certified exhaust cleaning specialist and business coach who has helped hundreds of institutional facilities achieve NFPA 96 compliance, I emphasize that proactive grease management isn’t optional; it’s a core fire/life safety practice.

  • Washington State University Debuts New Engineering Hall

    Washington State University recently celebrated a dedication ceremony for the new Schweitzer Engineering Hall on its Pullman campus in Pullman, Wash., according to university news. The facility measures 66,288 square feet, and its completion marks the first milestone in a larger university effort to modernize the engineering and design district.

  • Back-to-School Playground Safety: 7 Common Hazards to Look for After Summer Break

    As summer break comes to an end, school administrators have plenty to prepare before students return. While classrooms, hallways and common areas often receive attention during all the back-to-school preparations, the playground should not be overlooked. Months of weather exposure, storms, and regular wear can leave behind hazards that may not be immediately noticeable.