# Security smoke (fog) generators? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 18, 2012, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-smoke-fog-generators/616167 "2012-03-18T22:21:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dog80](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6bbea6/32.png) [@Dog80](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dog80)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2012, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-smoke-fog-generators/616167/1 "2012-03-18T22:21:02Z")
There seems to be several makers of these machines, this one for example [http://www.smokecloak.com/en/](http://www.smokecloak.com/en/) But there are no prices mentioned and nowhere to buy from. Can anybody suggest a good device for a home? ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2012, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-smoke-fog-generators/616167/2 "2012-03-18T23:12:02Z")
My cursory search says they are all Canadian or European companies. If you are in the USA you might want to check on the legal and insurance aspects before going further. ---
**Author:** ![ConceptSmokeScreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/41988e/32.png) [@ConceptSmokeScreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ConceptSmokeScreen)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-smoke-fog-generators/616167/3 "2012-03-22T16:34:59Z")
Hi, we are one of the European manufacturers of security smoke - Concept Smoke Screen. Prices for a basic installation start at about £900 (for our entry level model ELM). Our range of products is listed here [http://www.smoke-screen.co.uk/](http://www.smoke-screen.co.uk/). We have recently appointed a partner in the USA, Eric Howe, who will be able to handle any enquiries. Duckster, you raise a very important point re legal and insurance aspects. As a company we have comprehensive public and product liability and indemnity insurance and certain insurers in the UK recommend and specify smoke. It’s also imperative to maintain good relations and communications with your local fire department. Manufacture and installation is always carried out in accordance with European Standards (soon to become International) which state that smoke machines should NOT create a ‘mantrap’. Prominent signage and recorded messages (via a Fire-Cryer) are also highly recommended to inform anyone in the area that it is not a real fire, it is a security measure, it is not toxic, do not panic etc. Hope that helps, get in touch if you need anything else Dylan ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-smoke-fog-generators/616167/4 "2012-03-22T22:39:55Z")
What in the world is a security fog generator? I guess if you think your home is being invaded, you push a button that makes fog, and… Then what? ---
**Author:** ![leahcim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b4bc9f/32.png) [@leahcim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leahcim)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-smoke-fog-generators/616167/5 "2012-03-22T22:47:43Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > What in the world is a security fog generator? I guess if you think your home is being invaded, you push a button that makes fog, and… Then what? I have to imagine that most of the effectiveness is due to the criminal imagining that the smoke is worse than it is (like pepper spray or knock-out gas) and running. If he knows it’s harmless, all it does is make it hard to see. ---
**Author:** ![ConceptSmokeScreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/41988e/32.png) [@ConceptSmokeScreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ConceptSmokeScreen)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-smoke-fog-generators/616167/6 "2012-03-23T16:46:15Z")
@Chronos in answer to your question, security smoke is a very dense fog, deployed incredibly fast, which is designed to confront intruders and force them back out of your property. It is generally wired up to your alarm system, but can also be triggered by a panic button. The main objective is to remove the threat and the intruder’s ability to see. A crook’s biggest weapon is speed and the fog adds to his biggest enemy - time. Leahcim, I daresay the element of the unknown is also a minor factor. ---
**Author:** ![Dog80](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6bbea6/32.png) [@Dog80](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dog80)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-smoke-fog-generators/616167/7 "2012-03-23T17:08:41Z")
Here’s a demonstration: [ΚΑΠΝΟΓΟΝΟ - ΔΟΚΙΜΗ Τotal Security - YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qEoOZ78Isw) ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-smoke-fog-generators/616167/8 "2012-03-23T19:20:33Z")
Sure, but it’d also remove your ability to see. People who can’t see do unpredictable things, and if there’s someone breaking into my home, unpredictable is the last thing I want. ---
**Author:** ![Dog80](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6bbea6/32.png) [@Dog80](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dog80)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-smoke-fog-generators/616167/9 "2012-03-23T19:31:56Z")
It should ideally be placed opposite of the entrance so the smoke “pushes” intruders outside. See another demonstration here: [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yuIJjVvVS00/hqdefault.jpg "FOG - BANDIT ----- ΚΑΠΝΟΣ - ΟΜΙΧΛΗ") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuIJjVvVS00) ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-smoke-fog-generators/616167/10 "2012-03-23T19:41:49Z")
Is this for real? It’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve seen in a long time. It’s like something you’d expect to see in a farce comedy. ---
**Author:** ![Foggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foggy/32/1082_2.png) [@Foggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foggy)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-smoke-fog-generators/616167/11 "2012-03-23T20:40:19Z")
Oh I want one! But I want it voice activated so the next time I have unwanted visitors I can say “Computer, release the neurotoxin now.” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-smoke-fog-generators/616167/12 "2012-03-23T21:17:26Z")
> [@Foggy](#): > > Oh I want one! But I want it voice activated so the next time I have unwanted visitors I can say “Computer, release the neurotoxin now.” 😃 Much more effective if you slip on a gas mask at the same time. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-smoke-fog-generators/616167/13 "2012-03-23T21:23:11Z")
Have a space suit hanging on a hook next to the panic button, so the last thing the crook sees is you starting to climb into it. Also, a recorded countdown voice would be good… “You have 30 seconds until unconsciousness or death… you have 25 seconds until unconsciousness or death…” ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-smoke-fog-generators/616167/14 "2012-03-23T22:37:25Z")
I think they are the coolest things ever. Here in Atlanta, we have smash & grab robbing crews that drive through store doors or windows and just grab blue jeans and hair weaves. Even if you case the joint, count the steps to a certain table, you’ll never pull it off in the fog. You can’t steal what you can’t see. Having a computer voice counting down your supposed death is icing on the cake. I’d love to see the expressions on the bad guys faces, but of course, you can’t! Add some of those hydraulic [bollards](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3qjiSWSnT0)that rise out of the ground to seal the parking lot, some video cameras, and you’ve got comedy gold! ---
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2012, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-smoke-fog-generators/616167/15 "2012-03-25T20:44:58Z")
> [@ducati](#): > > Add some of those hydraulic [bollards](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3qjiSWSnT0)that rise out of the ground to seal the parking lot, some video cameras, and you’ve got comedy gold! That’s hilarious! ---
**Author:** ![leemike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecccb3/32.png) [@leemike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leemike)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2012, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-smoke-fog-generators/616167/16 "2012-08-24T10:33:54Z")
HI,I think this one is also good,But I’ll prefer to use this one for catching the robber .so I think this products is really nice for several department as like the police department,Because the smoke (fog) can be distributed to give instant protection at various strategic points or to create a protective shield of up to 65 feet in length.so best of luck. ---
**Author:** ![leemike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecccb3/32.png) [@leemike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leemike)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2012, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-smoke-fog-generators/616167/17 "2012-09-01T07:02:47Z")
> [@leemike](#): > > HI,I think this one is also good,But I’ll prefer to use this one for catching the robber .so I think this products is really nice for several department as like the police department,Because the smoke (fog) can be distributed to give instant protection at various strategic points or to create a protective shield of up to 65 feet in length.so best of luck. [alarm monitoring brisbane](http://www.cavesecure.com.au/alarm-monitoring)