Smoke screen… more like Fog Screen!
Here’s the irony – we’re called Smoke Screen, but we haven’t made a “security smoke system” in years. The name is a legacy from over three decades ago, back when security smoke was the norm. Back when filling a space with thick, obscuring smoke meant lighting up pyro cartridges and hoping for the best. It was all a bit… dramatic.
Times change. Technology improves. And today what most people think of as a security smoke system is, in fact, a fog system. That’s the future. That’s us.
So let’s clear the air (pun intended) and break down the difference.
The Terminology Tangle
First things first: if you’re searching online for security smoke, smoke cloak, or smoke security systems, you’re not alone. Those terms still generate loads of traffic. But they’re outdated. The industry has moved on, and so should the language.
That said, some customers still call our products “smoke cloaks.” We get it. It’s familiar. But we prefer the term security fog system. It’s more accurate, more modern, and doesn’t carry the baggage of old pyro-based tech.
Security Fog
Security fog systems can be perceived as more expensive to install and maintain.
But a security fog machine like ours in a well-designed system will not leave any residue or smell. Nor do they have to be replaced/maintained after each activation, Smoke Screen systems can be fired multiple times from a single fluid refill. Multiple activations mean that you can push intruders back for longer periods of time, and keep your property safe.
Security Smoke
Smoke systems might be cheaper to install in the first place but, they commonly leave residue and smell. They are also typically a one-shot option, meaning they have to be replaced/maintained after each activation. There is also the increased risk of fire from pyrotechnic devices.
What’s the Big Difference Anyway?
You might think you want a smoke system – something that floods the space and obscures vision instantly. Fair. But what you probably need is a fog system.
Here’s why:
1. Residue and Smell
Food Safe
Pyrotechnic smoke systems (the kind still used by some competitors) often leave behind a nasty smell and an oily residue. That means after an activation, you’re looking at a cleanup job. Your stock, your furnishings, your electronics – they can all get tainted.
Stock Safe
Our fog systems? 100% clean. Made from a water and glycol mix, our fog leaves no smell and no residue. Zero. Nada. You could eat a sandwich off your desk right after activation. In fact, our fog is food-safe.
People Safe
You need to make sure your people are safe. Security fog is safe to inhale and will help protect the people that matter the most. Panic activated fog systems are a great example of this, the fog can be fired in emergency situations to protect your team in addition to your stock and premises.
2. Particle Size = Performance
Our fog is engineered with particle sizes so fine they float in the air for up to 40 minutes. That’s not just clever – it’s essential. It means the fog stays suspended, maintaining full visual obscuration long enough to render any intrusion attempt useless. But because those particles are so tiny, they don’t settle on your stock or electronics.
3. Safety
Pyro systems carry risk. We’re talking heat, potential fire hazards, and toxic chemicals. There’s a reason most environments – especially those with people, sensitive stock, or electronics – steer well clear of them. Our fog systems are safe. No heat, no fire
Why Do Pyro Systems Still Exist?
Good question.
Sometimes, there’s a niche use case where a pyro smoke system might still be viable – such as in a bare concrete bunker with nothing to damage, but these scenarios are rare. Often, they’re outdated stopgaps that introduce more problems than they solve.
Our advice? Use a pyro system only if there’s absolutely nothing in the space that could be tainted or damaged – and even then, proceed with caution.
Why We Ditched Smoke and Went Full Fog
Back in the early days, Smoke Screen did use pyro technology. That was the best available at the time. But we’ve never stood still. We’ve always challenged the norm and driven the industry forward.
So when better, cleaner, safer fog technology emerged – we made the switch. And we haven’t looked back.
We believe in giving our customers peace of mind – not just during an intrusion, but after it. You should be able to walk back into your site and find everything exactly as it was – just minus a would-be thief. That’s the standard we work to. And it’s why we only make fog systems now.
Still Calling It Smoke?
That’s okay. Lots of people do. But behind the language, make sure you’re getting the right tech.
If someone’s offering you a smoke system today, ask questions. Is it fog, or is it smoke? What’s in the fog? Is it safe? Will it damage your stock? Does it leave a residue? If the answers aren’t clear (or they’re dancing around the question), that should be a red flag.
The truth is, you don’t need smoke. You need fog – the right kind of fog, engineered to protect without compromise.
Final Word
Let’s call it what it is: “security fog” is the future. A smoke cloak might be a relic of the past but “Smoke Screen”? Well, the thing is, “Fog Screen” just doesn’t sound as good.
Want to learn more about how our fog systems can protect your people, property, and profits without leaving a trace? Get in touch.
Phone: +44 1205 821 111
Mail: Info@smoke-screen.co.uk
