What do smoke vent rooflights (AOVs) in Cambridge involve?
Smoke vent rooflights (AOVs) in Cambridge means automatic smoke ventilators at the head of stairwells and atria. We cover the CB1 district and the rest of Cambridgeshire, with a survey before any price is fixed.
Many homes in the East have low-pitched roofs on later extensions, which are better served by flat rooflights than pitched roof windows. Think of smoke vent rooflights (AOVs) for communal stairwells, corridors and atria.
Cambridge is around 48 km from Peterborough, and we survey and fit throughout that part of Cambridgeshire, including the CB1 district.
Specification options
- Electric (24 V) or pneumatic actuation
- Service and test plans
- Control panel with battery backup
- Glazed rooflight or louvred vent
- Rain and wind sensors for daily vent use
- Also usable for day-to-day ventilation
- Replacement of failed or obsolete units
What to check first
- 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
- The product should be certified to BS EN 12101-2 as a natural smoke and heat exhaust ventilator
Building control and safety duties in Cambridge
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.
Read the planning permission guide before you commit to a design.
Guide prices for Cambridge
Guide prices for smoke vent rooflights (AOVs) in Cambridge 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 |
The process, step by step
- Send the details. Postcode, rough size and a photo of the roof and room.
- Free site visit. For new installs we survey free, measure and confirm the roof detail.
- Fixed quote. Product, work and price in writing — nothing is ordered until you agree.
- Fitting and handover. We install, clean down and leave product and warranty documents.
Smoke vent rooflights (AOVs) near Cambridge
Other services in Cambridge
Smoke vent rooflights (AOVs) in Cambridge: questions
Can a smoke vent be used for normal ventilation?
Many dual-purpose units also open for daily ventilation, closing automatically in rain.
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.
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.
How do I book a survey in Cambridge?
Send your postcode and, if you can, a photo of the roof and the room. We offer a survey date when we reply.
Can you work alongside my builder in Cambridge?
Yes. On new extensions we fit once the opening and upstand are ready and coordinate dates with your builder.
