Smoke vent rooflights (AOVs) for Dunstable: the essentials
Thinking about smoke vent rooflights (AOVs) in Dunstable? The short answer: automatic smoke ventilators at the head of stairwells and atria. The longer answer depends on your roof, which is why we survey before we price.
Period cottages and conservation-area streets are common in the South East, so slim conservation rooflights are often the right choice. Typical uses for smoke vent rooflights (AOVs) include blocks of flats and commercial buildings with a smoke strategy.
We work across Bedfordshire, including Dunstable, and in neighbouring towns such as Luton and Leighton Buzzard. Access, parking and how the glass reaches the roof are all checked at the survey.
Specification options
- Glazed rooflight or louvred vent
- Service and test plans
- Break-glass and smoke-detector triggers
- Rain and wind sensors for daily vent use
- Control panel with battery backup
- Manual override at the fire service access level
- Replacement of failed or obsolete units
Things we check at survey
- The product should be certified to BS EN 12101-2 as a natural smoke and heat exhaust ventilator
- Whoever holds the building's fire-safety duties (the responsible person, the duty holder in Scotland or the appropriate person in Northern Ireland) must keep systems maintained and tested
Rules and responsibilities in Dunstable
Smoke vents are life-safety equipment: in England the responsible person must keep them maintained under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. We supply manufacturer-certified units and arrange installation, commissioning and servicing through specialist smoke-control engineers.
For buildings other than dwellings, Approved Document L Volume 2 sets limiting U-values of 2.2 W/m²K for rooflights and 3.0 W/m²K for roof ventilators, including smoke vents. Fire classification of rooflight materials near boundaries is checked at specification.
Our planning guide covers each nation in more detail.
What do smoke vent rooflights (AOVs) cost in Dunstable?
Prices below are shown including and excluding VAT. In Dunstable, as elsewhere, making good inside and access equipment are the main variables.
| Option | Guide price inc VAT | Ex VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Large glazed AOV with actuators | £4,795 – £7,795 | £3,995 – £6,495 |
| Standard glazed AOV Typical | £3,595 – £4,795 | £2,995 – £3,995 |
| Replacement vent onto existing upstand | £2,995 – £3,595 | £2,495 – £2,995 |
What happens next
- Tell us what you have. Send the LU6 postcode, a rough size and a couple of photos.
- Survey. We measure the opening, check the roof build-up and agree the options.
- Fixed quote. Product, work and price in writing — nothing is ordered until you agree.
- Installation day. Usually one day into a prepared opening, longer for new openings.
Nearby towns
More we do in Dunstable
Common questions
Do smoke vents need a control panel?
Electric AOVs work with a control panel that links them to detectors, the fire alarm and override switches.
Do you design the smoke strategy?
No — the strategy comes from the building's fire engineer or designer. We supply, install, commission and service to it.
Who is responsible for maintaining smoke vents?
The responsible person (or duty holder in Scotland, appropriate person in Northern Ireland) for the building must keep fire safety systems maintained. We can arrange servicing and keep records.
Can you work alongside my builder in Dunstable?
Yes. On new extensions we fit once the opening and upstand are ready and coordinate dates with your builder.
How do I book a survey in Dunstable?
Send your postcode and, if you can, a photo of the roof and the room. We offer a survey date when we reply.
