Smoke vent rooflights (AOVs) for Washington: the essentials
Thinking about smoke vent rooflights (AOVs) in Washington? 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.
North East terraces and colliery-town housing often have rear offshoots where a rooflight brightens a narrow kitchen. Think of smoke vent rooflights (AOVs) for communal stairwells, corridors and atria.
Neighbouring towns include Chester-le-Street (6 km) and Felling (7 km). We offer a survey date when we reply to your enquiry.
Options we can specify in Washington
- Control panel with battery backup
- Rain and wind sensors for daily vent use
- Electric (24 V) or pneumatic actuation
- Service and test plans
- Glazed rooflight or louvred vent
- Also usable for day-to-day ventilation
- Glazed units bring daylight to stairwells
Things we check at survey
- Replacing a vent with a non-equivalent product can affect the fire strategy
- 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
Rules and responsibilities in Washington
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. Fragile-roof safety and access are planned before work starts.
Read the planning permission guide before you commit to a design.
Smoke vent rooflights (AOVs) prices in Washington
These are typical supply-and-fit ranges. For an address in Washington, 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 |
How the job runs
- Tell us what you have. Send the NE37 postcode, a rough size and a couple of photos.
- Measure and check. A surveyor visits Washington, measures and checks structure and access.
- 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.
Smoke vent rooflights (AOVs) near Washington
More we do in Washington
Smoke vent rooflights (AOVs) in Washington: questions
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.
Can a smoke vent be used for normal ventilation?
Many dual-purpose units also open for daily ventilation, closing automatically in rain.
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 I need to be at home for the survey in Washington?
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 Washington?
Yes. On new extensions we fit once the opening and upstand are ready and coordinate dates with your builder.
