Smoke vent rooflights (AOVs) for Portsmouth: the essentials
Thinking about smoke vent rooflights (AOVs) in Portsmouth? 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 communal stairwells, corridors and atria.
Neighbouring towns include Gosport (3 km) and Fareham (9 km). We offer a survey date when we reply to your enquiry.
What you can choose
- Service and test plans
- Break-glass and smoke-detector triggers
- Electric (24 V) or pneumatic actuation
- Rain and wind sensors for daily vent use
- Glazed rooflight or louvred vent
- Also usable for day-to-day ventilation
- Manual override at the fire service access level
What to check first
- 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
Regulations for smoke vent rooflights (AOVs) in Portsmouth
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 Portsmouth?
Prices below are shown including and excluding VAT. In Portsmouth, 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 |
From enquiry to finished job
- Send the details. Postcode, rough size and a photo of the roof and room.
- Survey. We measure the opening, check the roof build-up and agree the options.
- Agree the quote. You approve the specification and price before anything is ordered.
- Fitting and handover. We install, clean down and leave product and warranty documents.
Neighbouring towns
Other services in Portsmouth
Questions about smoke vent rooflights (AOVs) in Portsmouth
Can a smoke vent be used for normal ventilation?
Many dual-purpose units also open for daily ventilation, closing automatically in rain.
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.
Do I need to be at home for the survey in Portsmouth?
Yes — someone needs to let us into the room below and, where possible, show us how the roof is reached.
Can you work alongside my builder in Portsmouth?
Yes. On new extensions we fit once the opening and upstand are ready and coordinate dates with your builder.
