Smoke vent rooflights (AOVs) in Bicester: what is involved?
Our smoke vent rooflights (AOVs) service in Bicester covers automatic smoke ventilators at the head of stairwells and atria. Every job starts with a survey of the opening, the roof covering and the room below, and a fixed written price.
Period cottages and conservation-area streets are common in the South East, so slim conservation rooflights are often the right choice. Think of smoke vent rooflights (AOVs) for blocks of flats and commercial buildings with a smoke strategy.
Jobs in Bicester are planned around access: whether the roof can be reached from the garden, whether a hoist or crane is needed, and where we can park. We check this when we measure.
Choices for your Bicester project
- Service and test plans
- Rain and wind sensors for daily vent use
- Control panel with battery backup
- Break-glass and smoke-detector triggers
- Electric (24 V) or pneumatic actuation
- Also usable for day-to-day ventilation
- Glazed units bring daylight to stairwells
Before you order: points to check
- 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 Bicester
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.
Smoke vent rooflights (AOVs) prices in Bicester
Prices below are shown including and excluding VAT. In Bicester, 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 |
The process, step by step
- Tell us what you have. Send the OX26 postcode, a rough size and a couple of photos.
- Survey. We measure the opening, check the roof build-up and agree the options.
- 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 Bicester
Common questions
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 often should AOVs be tested?
Industry guidance recommends regular functional checks and at least annual servicing. Your fire risk assessment sets the regime.
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 I need to be at home for the survey in Bicester?
Yes — someone needs to let us into the room below and, where possible, show us how the roof is reached.
How do I book a survey in Bicester?
Send your postcode and, if you can, a photo of the roof and the room. We offer a survey date when we reply.
