What Is the HALO Smart Sensor 3C?
The HALO Smart Sensor 3C is a mounted IoT sensor built for spaces that need safety monitoring in locations where traditional video surveillance is prohibited or impractical.
It uses an array of chemical, audio, environmental, and motion sensors — not a camera — to detect threats including vaping, THC smoke, gunshots, verbal aggression, poor air quality, and gas hazards, then delivers real-time alerts via the HALO Cloud platform or integrated security management systems.
It has become widely adopted in K–12 schools, universities, hotels, hospitals, corporate offices, and public housing facilities.
A people-counting variant, the upgrade to people counting is useful for HVAC optimization and space management.
Product Page by Kristin Wood, a two-way radio consultant @ Tech Wholesale | Last Updated: May 2026
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model Number | HALO (standard) / HALO-PC (with People Counting) |
| Manufacturer | IPVideo Corporation (a Motorola Solutions / Avigilon company) |
| Dimensions | 5.75" x 3.08" |
| Weight | 0.365 kg (0.8 lbs) |
| Detects | Vape, THC, Vape Masking, Carbon Monoxide, Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, Air Quality Index, Health Index, Gunshot, Tampering, Relative Humidity, Aggression, Light Level |
| Power Supply | PoE — IEEE 802.3af Class 3 Compliance, 9W |
| Ethernet | RJ-45 (10/100 Base-T) |
| Network Protocols | BACnet, RTSP, TCP/IP, UDP, IPv4/IPv6, HTTP, HTTPS, DHCP, ARP, Bonjour, Wireless Connectivity |
| Audio | Dual MEMS microphones (audio analysis only — no live stream recording) |
| Speaker | Alarm Condition, Pre-Recorded Files, Programmable WAV Files |
| Status Light | Alarm Condition, Multi-Color, Programmable |
| Maximum User Connections | 8 simultaneous live stream connections |
| Relay/Output | 2, Normally Open or Closed, 48VDC at 1 amp |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to 50°C (32°F to 122°F) |
| Operating Humidity | 0 to 90% Relative Humidity (non-condensing) |
| Tamper Protection | IK10 rated, vandal proof housing with Tamper Alert |
| Certifications | UL, CUL, CE, RoHS, FCC, WEEE, California IoT Security 1798.91.04, C-Tick and CRM Compliant |
What Does It Detect?
The HALO 3C monitors the following threat and environmental categories simultaneously:
Vape and Substance Detection
- Nicotine vaping (e-cigarettes, e-pens, disposables)
- THC vaping
- Tobacco smoke and marijuana smoke
- Chemical masking agents (attempts to cover vaping with aerosol sprays)
Air Quality and Environmental Monitoring
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2) — calibrated readings
- Carbon Monoxide (CO)
- Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOCs)
- Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
- Particulate Matter (PM2.5) — airborne pollutants
- Temperature and relative humidity
- Light levels
- Air Quality Index (AQI) and Health Index — composite real-time scores
- Building Health status
Security and Threat Detection
- Gunshot detection via acoustic signature analysis
- Aggression detection — raised voices, physical altercations
- Spoken keyword detection — pre-programmed emergency phrases
- Tamper detection — attempts to cover, remove, or disable the device (IK8-rated housing)
- Motion detection
- Panic button trigger (when paired with HALO Bluetooth Panic Button)
Occupancy (3C-PC only)
- People counting
- Occupancy-based alerts for loitering or crowding
- Integration with building automation for HVAC optimization
Who Is This For?
K–12 School Administrators and Security Directors
Vaping in school bathrooms and locker rooms is a persistent compliance and health problem.
The HALO 3C is specifically designed for privacy-sensitive spaces where cameras cannot legally be installed.
Schools use it to detect nicotine and THC vaping, trigger immediate staff notifications, and generate incident reports for disciplinary follow-up.
The gunshot and aggression detection features add a layer of emergency response readiness without adding surveillance infrastructure.
See the HALO K–12 use case guide for school-specific deployment details.
Hotel and Hospitality Security Managers
Hotels face significant liability from in-room smoking and vaping, with cleaning costs running $200–$500 per incident and potential HVAC contamination.
The HALO 3C can be deployed in guest rooms, hallways, and public restrooms to detect smoking policy violations in real time — without recording audio or video, which protects guest privacy and limits legal exposure.
Alerts can trigger front desk notifications or integrate directly with property management systems.
See the HALO hospitality use case guide.
Healthcare Facility and Hospital Safety Officers
Hospitals and long-term care facilities must maintain strict air quality standards, control unauthorized vaping, and respond quickly to patient falls or distress events.
The HALO 3C monitors CO2, VOCs, and particulate matter continuously — data that matters for infection control and HVAC compliance.
The aggression and spoken keyword detection features can support staff safety in higher-risk areas.
See the HALO healthcare use case guide and the senior living communities guide.
Corporate Real Estate and Facilities Managers
Multi-tenant commercial buildings, corporate campuses, and coworking spaces use the HALO 3C to enforce smoke-free policies, monitor indoor air quality across floors, and document environmental conditions for tenant compliance and insurance purposes.
The BACnet protocol support allows direct integration with existing building automation and HVAC systems, making it a natural addition to smart building infrastructure.
See the HALO commercial use case guide.
Installation and Integration
The HALO 3C mounts in a standard 5-inch circular ceiling opening using a single CAT5e or CAT6 cable for both data and power.
No separate power supply or electrical wiring is required — the PoE connection handles everything. T
wo units can be daisy-chained on a single cable run, which significantly reduces installation cost in multi-unit deployments such as hallways, hotel floors, or school bathrooms.
For installations requiring conduit or wire mold connections, the HALO Back Box Mounting Kit is required and sold separately.
IPVideo Corporation recommends installation by an experienced security integrator to ensure proper system integration and optimal sensor placement.
Software and Cloud Integration
The HALO 3C ships as a standalone sensor but reaches its full capability when connected to the HALO Cloud platform (annual subscription, sold separately).
HALO Cloud provides:
- Real-time event dashboard with live sensor readings
- Heat maps and event trend graphs by location and time
- Configurable email and push notifications via the HALO Mobile App
- Historical data export for reporting and compliance documentation
- Multi-site management for enterprise deployments
The HALO 3C also integrates natively with Avigilon Unity Video (Motorola Solutions' AI-powered VMS), triggering alarms directly in the Focus of Attention interface when sensors fire.
It supports integration with third-party VMS platforms and building management systems via BACnet, RTSP, and TCP/IP protocols.
Remote configuration and firmware updates can be managed through the optional HALO Remote Configuration service.
How Does It Compare to Similar Products?
| Feature | HALO Smart Sensor 3C | Verkada BG21 Air Quality Sensor | Zeptive Vape Sensor | Triton Vape Detector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vape / THC Detection | Yes | Limited (VOC-based) | Yes | Yes |
| Gunshot Detection | Yes | No | No | No |
| Aggression / Audio Analysis | Yes (no recording) | No | No | No |
| Full Air Quality Suite (CO2, CO, VOC, NO2, PM2.5) | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| People Counting | Yes (3C-PC variant) | No | No | No |
| Camera-Free / Privacy-Safe | Yes | No (camera-based system) | Yes | Yes |
| PoE Powered | Yes | Yes | Varies by model | Yes |
| BACnet / Building Automation Integration | Yes | Limited | No | No |
| VMS Integration (Avigilon, Genetec, etc.) | Yes — native Avigilon Unity integration | Verkada platform only | Limited | Limited |
| Tamper-Resistant Rating | IK8 | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated |
The key takeaway: The HALO 3C is the only product in this category that combines vape detection, gunshot detection, aggression analysis, full air quality monitoring, people counting, and building automation integration in a single camera-free, ceiling-mount device.
Competing vape detectors address only one or two of these use cases. Products like the Verkada BG21 include cameras, making them unsuitable for restrooms, locker rooms, or other privacy-protected spaces.
Accessories and Add-Ons
- HALO Cloud License — Annual subscription required for real-time dashboard, heat maps, mobile alerts, and historical reporting. Available in 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year terms.
- HALO Bluetooth Panic Button — Wearable or wall-mounted panic button that triggers an alert through the HALO Cloud when pressed. Requires active HALO Cloud subscription.
- HALO Back Box Mounting Kit — Required for conduit or wire mold installations. Provides a secure recessed mounting point for the sensor.
- HALO Remote Configuration — Allows remote management of sensor settings, thresholds, and firmware updates without on-site access.
View all HALO accessories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the HALO Smart Sensor 3C record audio or video?
No. The HALO 3C does not record audio or video at any time.
It uses two MEMS microphones for acoustic analysis only — detecting characteristics like gunshot signatures, raised voices, or aggression patterns — but the audio is processed in real time and never stored or transmitted as a recording.
The device also has no camera. This makes it legally deployable in restrooms, locker rooms, hotel rooms, and other privacy-protected spaces where traditional surveillance equipment is prohibited.
Does it collect personally identifiable information (PII)?
No. The HALO 3C is designed specifically to avoid capturing any PII.
It monitors environmental conditions and acoustic signatures without identifying, recording, or storing information about specific individuals.
The people-counting feature on the 3C-PC variant tracks occupancy numbers only — not identities, faces, or movement paths.
What network infrastructure is required to run the HALO 3C?
At minimum, a PoE-capable network switch and CAT5e or CAT6 cabling to the installation location.
The device draws 9W (IEEE 802.3af Class 3).
For cloud dashboard access, mobile app alerts, and remote management, an active internet connection and a HALO Cloud license are required.
For BACnet integration with building automation systems, your network must support BACnet IP or BACnet MS/TP depending on your existing infrastructure.
Is a HALO Cloud subscription required to use the sensor?
The cloud dashboard, mobile push notifications, heat maps, historical data export, and the panic button functionality all require an active HALO Cloud license.
For most enterprise and institutional deployments, the cloud subscription is strongly recommended.
Licenses are available in 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year terms.
How many units does one installation location require?
Each HALO 3C unit provides coverage for a 144 sq. ft. (13.4 sq. m) area. A standard single-stall restroom or smaller locker room typically requires one unit. Larger spaces — multi-stall bathrooms, open office floors, or hallways — require one unit per 144 sq. ft. of coverage area. Two units can be daisy-chained on a single CAT5/6 cable run, reducing cabling costs in adjacent or sequential spaces.
Can the HALO 3C integrate with our existing security cameras and VMS?
Yes. The HALO 3C integrates natively with Avigilon Unity Video (Motorola Solutions' VMS), triggering alarms in the Focus of Attention interface. It also integrates with other VMS platforms through RTSP, TCP/IP, and HTTP/HTTPS protocols.
IPVideo Corporation continues to expand VMS compatibility. For building automation integration, BACnet protocol support enables connection to most modern HVAC and facility management systems.
How accurate is the vape and THC detection?
The HALO 3C uses a chemical sensor array specifically calibrated to detect the aerosol signatures of e-cigarette vapor (including nicotine and THC).
It is designed to distinguish vaping from general humidity or cleaning product aerosols, which are common false-positive triggers in competing products.
The system also detects attempts to mask vaping with air fresheners or deodorant sprays.
Sensitivity thresholds are configurable through the HALO Cloud or remote configuration service to reduce false positives in specific environments.
Is the HALO 3C approved for use in schools?
Yes. The HALO 3C is widely deployed in K–12 schools across the United States and internationally.
It meets FCC, UL, and CE certifications.
Many school districts have adopted it specifically to address vaping in bathrooms and locker rooms under their smoke-free campus policies and in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), since the device captures no student identifiable information or audio recordings.
See the HALO K–12 deployment guide for specifics.
What happens when an alert is triggered?
When the HALO 3C detects a configured trigger event (vaping, gunshot, aggression, etc.), it can simultaneously: activate its programmable LED ring to a designated alert color; sound its built-in speaker alarm; send real-time push notifications and email alerts to designated staff via the HALO Cloud mobile app; trigger a relay output to connected alarm or access control systems; and send an event notification to integrated VMS platforms. All alert thresholds and response behaviors are configurable per sensor and per event type.
How difficult is it to install?
Installation requires a 5-inch circular ceiling cutout and a single CAT5e or CAT6 cable with PoE. The installation is straightforward for any low-voltage or security cabling technician.
IPVideo Corporation recommends using a professional security integrator for the full deployment — including software configuration, VMS integration, and threshold calibration — to ensure the system performs correctly.
The back box mounting kit is required for conduit installations and is sold separately.
Does the HALO 3C work outdoors?
No. The HALO 3C is rated for indoor use only, with an operating temperature range of 0°C to 50°C (32°F to 122°F) and a humidity tolerance of 0–90% non-condensing. It does not carry an outdoor IP rating.
It is not recommended for covered outdoor areas exposed to precipitation, direct sunlight, or temperatures outside that range.
Can the people-counting feature be added later?
People counting (occupancy tracking) is a hardware-level feature available only on the HALO 3C-PC variant (model HALO-V3.00C-PC). It cannot be added to the standard HALO 3C via a software upgrade.
If you are unsure whether you need this feature, contact our team for a recommendation.
Product Resources and Industry Use Cases
Related Reading
- Vape Detection 101: How Smart Sensors Work
- Smart Sensors: Vape, Threat & Air Quality Detection Guide
- Vape Sensors for Workplaces: Cut Costs, Boost Productivity
Official Spec Sheet and Documentation
- HALO Smart Sensor Spec Sheet (PDF)
- HALO Cloud Information (PDF)
- HALO Cloud App Information (PDF)
- HALO Amplify Information (PDF)
Industry-Specific Deployment Guides
- K–12 Schools
- Higher Education / Large Campus
- Healthcare Facilities
- Senior Living Communities
- Hospitality and Hotels
- Retail
- Commercial Buildings
- Manufacturing
- Public Housing
- Banking
- Libraries
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Questions about deployment, licensing, or whether the HALO 3C is the right fit for your facility? Contact our team or request a quote. Tech Wholesale has been an authorized dealer since 1997 and provides lifetime technical support on every purchase.
