Vape detectors are coming to Ontario schools

A Mississauga company has been selected to supply Ontario schools with up-to-date vape detectors as part of a provincewide initiative. 

Earlier this year, the Ford administration announced a massive incentive to help schools crack down on students vaping inside school premises. According to the provincial government, these anti-vaping attitudes are part of a $30-million strategy to help prevent schoolwide disruptions and corresponding air pollution. 

According to a press release from today (Oct. 2), Mississauga’s Piera Systems Inc. has now been chosen as a Vendor of Record by Supply Ontario to distribute AI-powered detectors that — beyond detecting air vapors — also detect loud noises and other environmental disruptions to Ontario schools. 

Known as the ‘Canāree IX6,’ these devices will notify school staff of the location of the alarm immediately alongside the nature of the disruption. 

Beyond that, according to information supplied by Piera Systems Inc., these devices can also integrate video monitoring data to identify potential repeat offenders. 

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“Indoor air pollution has a significant impact on human health and productivity and our unique ability to identify vape and smoke accurately and quickly at an affordable cost was a key reason for our selection for this initiative,” said Vin Ratford, CEO of Piera Systems in an official statement. 

These devices will be placed in ‘vape-free’ zones alongside corresponding signage, to notify students that they are being actively monitored. 

For more information on the province’s “Vape Detectors and Building Safety Initiative,” visit the Government of Ontario’s official website.