What do smoke vent rooflights (AOVs) involve?
Smoke vent rooflights (AOVs) in Cambridgeshire means automatic smoke ventilators at the head of stairwells and atria. Every quote follows a survey of the roof and the room below.
Flat, open landscape in much of the East means roofs take the wind, so upstand and seal details matter more than the brand of glass. In the East of England, bungalows and chalet bungalows with large flat-roofed extensions are common, and they often suit a long run of rooflights.
Towns in Cambridgeshire
What you can choose
- Electric (24 V) or pneumatic actuation
- Control panel with battery backup
- Rain and wind sensors for daily vent use
- Break-glass and smoke-detector triggers
- Service and test plans
- Servicing and testing available
- Replacement of failed or obsolete units
Planning and building rules in England
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. Fragile-roof safety and access are planned before work starts.
Guide prices
Guide prices for smoke vent rooflights (AOVs) in Cambridgeshire are the same as anywhere we work — what changes the price is the job: access, structure, scaffold and finishing.
| 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 |
How the job runs
- Tell us about the roof. Send the postcode, rough sizes and a photo or two through the form, WhatsApp or the guide-price tool.
- Free survey. For new installations a surveyor measures the opening, checks the roof build-up and talks through glass and options.
- Fixed written quote. You get the product, the work and the price in writing. Nothing is ordered or paid for until you agree.
- Fitting and handover. We fit, seal and make good, then hand over product data, warranties and any certificate paperwork.
Smoke vents in nearby areas
Common questions
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 a smoke vent be used for normal ventilation?
Many dual-purpose units also open for daily ventilation, closing automatically in rain.
Can you replace an old smoke vent?
Yes, with an equivalent certified unit that matches the original design area and performance, so the fire strategy is not compromised.
How often should AOVs be tested?
Industry guidance recommends regular functional checks and at least annual servicing. Your fire risk assessment sets the regime.
Do I need to be at home for the survey in Cambridgeshire?
Yes — someone needs to let us into the room below and, where possible, show us how the roof is reached.
