Domestic Smoke Vent Restoration

During a period of severe weather, an existing Automatic Opening Vent (AOV) roof hatch sustained critical structural damage. Located at the head of a primary escape route, the compromised hatch threatened both the building’s weather-tightness and the structural integrity of its smoke control system.

In a fire scenario, smoke poses a far greater immediate threat to human life than flames. AOVs act as the “automatic lungs” of a building—instantly exhausting toxic fumes to preserve visibility and breathable air in stairwells and corridors. Leaving the damaged unit unaddressed meant compromising a vital life-safety system.

The Challenge

• Urgent Vulnerability: The damaged hatch left the building exposed to water ingress and compromised the automated smoke evacuation system.
• Strict Regulatory Compliance: The replacement system needed to seamlessly integrate with existing fire alarm infrastructure while adhering strictly to EN 12101 (European/UK standard for smoke and heat control) and BS 9999.
• Zero Downtime: A rapid turnaround was essential to restore full operational capability with minimal disruption to building occupants.

The Solution

Our Fire & Security’s specialist engineers responded promptly to assess the damage and execute a complete unit replacement:

• Removal & Site Preparation: Efficiently decommissioned and safely removed the compromised roof hatch.
• Installation of EN 12101 Compliant Unit: Supplied and installed a brand-new, fully certified EN 12101 AOV roof hatch designed to withstand heavy weather while guaranteeing reliable motorised opening during an emergency.
• System Integration: Connected the new hatch actuators directly to the central control panel and smoke detection network.
• Commissioning & Testing: Conducted full operational testing, verifying automated sensor triggering, power backup integrity, and manual overrides.

Results & Impact

• Fully Restored Compliance: Brought the building’s smoke control system back into complete alignment with statutory fire safety regulations.
• Life-Safety Protection: Guaranteed clear evacuation routes for occupants and safe access points for emergency services in the event of a fire.
• Weather & Asset Protection: Secured the roof envelope against further weather damage while delivering long-term system reliability.
• SDI 19 Quality Assurance: Provided the client with comprehensive service documentation and a Certificate of Compliance for legal and insurance purposes.