What do smoke vent rooflights (AOVs) in Highgate involve?
For Highgate homes and buildings we offer smoke vent rooflights (AOVs): automatic smoke ventilators at the head of stairwells and atria. We measure first, specify to the opening and confirm any planning or building-control points before quoting.
Many London roofs are reached only through the house or over neighbouring property, so lifting heavy glass is planned at survey rather than on the day. Typical uses for smoke vent rooflights (AOVs) include blocks of flats and commercial buildings with a smoke strategy.
Neighbouring towns include Hampstead (2 km) and Kilburn (3 km). We offer a survey date when we reply to your enquiry.
Choices for your Highgate project
- Electric (24 V) or pneumatic actuation
- Rain and wind sensors for daily vent use
- Control panel with battery backup
- Break-glass and smoke-detector triggers
- Service and test plans
- Glazed units bring daylight to stairwells
- Manual override at the fire service access level
Things we check at survey
- 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 Highgate
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. Fragile-roof safety and access are planned before work starts.
Our planning guide covers each nation in more detail.
Guide prices for Highgate
These are typical supply-and-fit ranges. For an address in Highgate, scaffold, a hoist for heavy glass, or a new structural opening can move the figure, which is why we survey first.
| 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.
- Free site visit. For new installs we survey free, measure and confirm the roof detail.
- Agree the quote. You approve the specification and price before anything is ordered.
- Fit and make good. We fit, seal, test and finish the reveal, then hand over the paperwork.
Smoke vent rooflights (AOVs) near Highgate
Related work in Highgate
Smoke vent rooflights (AOVs) in Highgate: questions
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.
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.
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.
How do I book a survey in Highgate?
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 Highgate?
Yes — someone needs to let us into the room below and, where possible, show us how the roof is reached.
