Will a Vape Set Off a Fire Alarm? What to Know False positives in vape detectors are a common concern, particularly when the devices are placed in environments with factors that can mimic vaping aerosols., , Common causes include:, Aerosols What Do Vape Detectors Look Like? Understanding Vape Detectors Can Vaping Set Off a Smoke Alarm? Here's What You Need to Know Can your vape activate smoke detectors? Vuse Your guests aren't the only ones checking in. So are their vape pens. With over 13 million regular vapers in the U.S. alone, unauthorized vaping is a major operational risk for hotels.