Should I buy a fog cannon?

Should I purchase a fog cannon?

A question that we often get asked is: “what about fog/smoke protection systems?”, and it’s a great question. Our answer is usually pretty simple. Ideally, you want both, but if you have to choose, then a sound barrier is a much simpler option with an equally effective outcome. Read on to find out more.

If you’re reading this and thinking, “what is a fogging system?” It's a security system that produces thick airbourne fog that is difficult to see through. Usually a fogging system is triggered by an alarm system, or via a ‘hold up’ switch that can be activated by shop front personnel. The idea is that by removing an intruder’s ability to see, then what they are stealing becomes virtually impossible to see - which is usually a fairly good way of getting them to stop.

We aren’t going to tell you that fog cannons aren’t very good, because we believe that they make a great addition to your overall security. They are often an under-utilised technology in many security setups, and have been known to be extremely effective in hold-up situations. We’ve highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of fog cannons in the following sections, along with a comparison of the attributes of fog vs sound barrier protection.

Strengths

The primary use case for a fog cannon is in high-value, or high-risk environments such as: banks, jewellery stores and convenience (late night off-license) shops. The fog cannon is usually aimed directly across the path of where intruders or robbers will likely be stood in the event of a hold-up i.e. in front of a till or cash point, providing maximum protection for store personnel and immediately frightening the intruder. The sudden change in circumstance for the intruder will usually lead to a peaceful resolution, as the most common outcome is for the intruder to run away when confronted with the bizarre circumstance of being blasted by fog.

The chemical that a fog cannon dispels will not hurt those that are exposed to it, as the substances used are typically glycol and water - both of which are safe for human consumption. Also, fog cannons do not typically leave residue behind once the smoke has dissipated, although the lingering smell (whilst not usually unpleasant) is definitely noticeable for a few days.

Weaknesses

Fog cannons are less effective in areas where protecting a high volume of space is important, such as: warehouses, offices and outdoor spaces. You can ofcourse purchase more ‘firepower’ in order to increase the coverage area, however owning a large number of cannons can lead to significant upkeep and maintenance costs, and cannons are usually located hard to reach areas such as wall cavities and ceiling spaces.

Due to the chemicals used in the fog solution having an expiration date, the typical maintenance cycle for a fog cannon is between 6-12 months. A typical replacement cartridge will usually cost between £60-100, and the old cartridges very often just go straight in the bin - not particularly environmentally friendly or efficient.

The most effective fog cannons are very large, weighty units, and are designed as such to produce the most volume of fog/smoke as quickly as possible. Whilst fog cannons can be hidden in wall cavities or in loft spaces, this can be an issue for those without the space to spare.

Fog vs Sound

If you’re dead-set on purchasing a fog cannon, you’ll want to consider some of the following before you decide to buy:

• Do I have adequate ceiling/wall space to house the unit?

• Are you prepared to have a premise full of fog if it were to get accidentally triggered?

• Do I have an adequate power source that can keep up with its high energy usage when charging/arming?

• How large a space do I need to fill, and in what time?

• Are you happy with the running maintenance costs associated with a fog cannon?

When you compare the considerations made above against the operation of a sound barrier, you can begin to see why a product like the Inferno is a more attractive option in the competition of “which one should I choose first?”. For example:

• The Inferno has a much smaller footprint when compared to a fog system, and is less visually obtrusive.

• An accidental trigger of the Inferno has no lasting effect on the premise.

• The Inferno requires very little power in comparison, and has a long-lasting backup battery.

• A sound barrier is instantly able to protect a larger volume of space

• The sound barrier has no yearly upkeep or maintenance costs

If you would like to improve the overall effectiveness of your security, and are considering purchasing a fog system, we have partnered with Fog Off Security to make it easier and more affordable for you to set up an Inferno and Fog dual-system. Contact us for more information.