Smoke ventilation systems are systems that are designed to enable the safe escape of occupants in the event of a fire and to also allow the fire to be fought in its early stages.
They are openings, such as windows or skylights, that offer an escape route for smoke and hot air. AOV’s are smoke vents that work automatically when fire breaks out. When the sensors detect fire or smoke in the building, they open a roof vent or window to allow the smoke to escape.
Your building’s occupants’ safety relies on your regular maintenance of the Automatic Opening Ventilation (A.O.V.) system. This needs to be serviced and maintained at least once a year to conform to BS7346, BS5588 and EN12101.
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, companies are deemed responsible for providing the correct level of fire safety on their premises. As any fire safety systems installed form part of a building’s fire strategy, the Fire Safety Order calls for the appointment of a responsible person to ensure that all of this equipment is maintained and in good working order. If this isn’t carried out, the consequences of failing to maintain your system can be devastating. Most fatalities are not caused by the fire itself, but by the effects of toxic smoke inhalation. As a building manager, you are responsible by law to ensure smoke extraction systems are regularly maintained and checked for any possible faults or issues, which can then be easily resolved before a disaster occurs.
Benefits of Routine Maintenance
We ensure that your system is operating to a satisfactory standard; complying with the property’s fire safety strategy and prolonging sustainability and efficiency of the system. As well as the operational benefits, regular system inspections allow you to save money in the long run, as we can identify and repair issues before they develop into extensive system failures, which could cost you thousands of pounds. We test all connections, electrical actuators, mechanical fans, dampers, automatic opening vents (AOVs), batteries and control panels, and repair any faults as necessary. We will then issue a re-commissioning test certificate for insurance purposes.
