Automatic Opening Vent (AOV) Systems
Group SCS has assembled a range of kits for most common applications, such as stairwell ventilation and lobby protection that are available off-the-shelf at a low cost. Our Automatic Opening Vent system kits contain ventilators, control panels, smoke detectors, and switches designed to work out of the box without the need for specialist installation or commissioning services. The AOV kits can be installed as either stand-alone AOV systems or be interconnected to form modular “smoke shaft” systems without the need for additional interfaces or software.
What is an Automatic Opening Vent (AOV)?
AOV is an abbreviation for automatic opening ventilator which is a device for ventilating smoke from a building. Automatic opening vents are standard products that are ideally suited to packaging into kits to simplify selection, installation and maintenance.
Where are AOVs used?
Automatic Opening Vent systems are most commonly used in high rise residential buildings, student accommodation and care homes. Stairwell ventilators may also be used in commercial and retail buildings.
Why are Automatic Opening Vents (AOVs) needed?
Smoke ventilation is required to meet the requirements of the building regulations to enable people to escape from buildings in the event of a fire and to assist the fire and rescue service. Approved Document B 2019 edition, gives detailed guidance on the location, specification, and size of AOVs.
BS 9999:2017 – Fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings and BS 9991:2015 – Fire safety in the design, management and use of residential buildings, offer an alternative approach to compliance with the building regulations and provide guidance on the management of fire safety during the whole lifecycle of a building. It applies to the design of new buildings and to material alterations, extensions and material changes of use to existing buildings.
Under the Construction Products Regulation where a product is covered by a European harmonised standard, (these will become a UK designated standard at the end of the Brexit transition period) it is a legal requirement for the manufacturer to provide a Declaration of Performance which confirms the details of testing and confirm the intended use of the product. Once the Declaration of Performance has been drawn up, the manufacturer must affix a CE or CA marking to the product. The CE/CA marking indicates that the performance of the product has been assessed and that it remains constant.
There are several harmonised standards that apply to AOV systems and compliance with these is mandatory. Using non-compliant products carries a risk of prosecution and can put lives at risk.
Group SCS Automatic Opening Vent systems all meet the applicable standards including:
- For ventilators – BS EN 12101-2:2017 – Smoke and heat control systems. Natural smoke and heat exhaust ventilators
- For smoke dampers – BS EN 12101-8:2011 – Smoke and heat control systems. Smoke control dampers
- For control panels – BS EN 12101-10:2005 – Smoke and heat control systems. Power supplies, applies to the power supply component of control panels, where a secondary power supply is needed to ensure the system operates in an emergency. BS ISO 21927-9:2012 – Smoke and heat control systems. Specification for control equipment, specifies the product performance requirements, classifications and test methods for control equipment designed for use in smoke and heat-control systems (SHCS) in buildings.
What size do Automatic Opening Vents need to be?
Automatic Opening Vents are designed to provide a given free area of ventilation depending on their type. Details on how to calculate the free area are given in Diagram D7 of Approved Document B Volume 1, 2019 edition.
The nominal free areas required are:
- 1m² for stairwell ventilators
- 1.5m² for smoke vents in lobbies opening directly to outside
- 1.5m² for head of smoke shaft vents
- 1m² for smoke dampers venting a lobby into a smoke shaft
Calculating the free area of a smoke vent can be a little tricky, so we have done it for you in our compliant AOV kits so you just need to choose the right kit for your application.
Automatic Opening Vent Kit Components
Each Automatic Opening Vent smoke vent kit contains the components needed to provide a complete solution and is made up of a combination of the following:
What AOV system is suitable?
Our Automatic Opening Vent Systems cover most common applications and because they are based on standard sizes we are able to offer low prices and fast delivery for fully compliant smoke vent solutions. If you have a need that is outside our standard range then please get in touch and we will do our best to help.
Buy Automatic Opening Vent (AOV) Kits Online
The Group SCS range of Automatic Opening Vent systems is offered through kits, which contain various smoke control-related products. Together in an AOV kit, they provide a solution for just about any smoke ventilation requirement in a building. View the entire range of Automatic Opening Vent Kits in our shop.
