Smoke vent rooflights (AOVs) for Carshalton: the essentials
Thinking about smoke vent rooflights (AOVs) in Carshalton? 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.
London homes often run deep from front to back, so the middle of the ground floor is the darkest space — exactly where an overhead rooflight earns its keep. In Carshalton, as anywhere, smoke vent rooflights (AOVs) are the usual choice for blocks of flats and commercial buildings with a smoke strategy.
Carshalton is around 16 km from central London, and we survey and fit throughout that part of Greater London, including the SM5 district.
Choices for your Carshalton project
- Electric (24 V) or pneumatic actuation
- Break-glass and smoke-detector triggers
- Service and test plans
- Control panel with battery backup
- Rain and wind sensors for daily vent use
- Glazed units bring daylight to stairwells
- Also usable for day-to-day ventilation
What to check first
- Replacing a vent with a non-equivalent product can affect the fire strategy
- The product should be certified to BS EN 12101-2 as a natural smoke and heat exhaust ventilator
Building control and safety duties in Carshalton
Smoke vents are life-safety equipment: in England the responsible person must keep them maintained under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. We install to the building's fire strategy and the manufacturer's certification.
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.
See our building regulations guide for U-values, glazing limits and self-certification.
What do smoke vent rooflights (AOVs) cost in Carshalton?
The ranges below are typical for straightforward jobs; your fixed price follows a survey of your roof.
| 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
- Send the details. Postcode, rough size and a photo of the roof and room.
- Measure and check. A surveyor visits Carshalton, measures and checks structure and access.
- Written price. You receive a fixed price listing the unit, the work and the lead time.
- Installation day. Usually one day into a prepared opening, longer for new openings.
Neighbouring towns
Related work in Carshalton
Common questions
How often should AOVs be tested?
Industry guidance recommends regular functional checks and at least annual servicing. Your fire risk assessment sets the regime.
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.
Can a smoke vent be used for normal ventilation?
Many dual-purpose units also open for daily ventilation, closing automatically in rain.
How do I book a survey in Carshalton?
Send your postcode and, if you can, a photo of the roof and the room. We offer a survey date when we reply.
Do I need to be at home for the survey in Carshalton?
Yes — someone needs to let us into the room below and, where possible, show us how the roof is reached.
