
Automatic opening vents keep escape routes clear of smoke during a fire, but only if they're correctly designed, installed, and regularly tested.
Automatic opening vents (AOVs) clear smoke from stairwells and escape routes, keeping evacuation routes clear and giving firefighters better visibility. We design, install and service smoke vent systems in line with BS 7346-8, with full testing and certification.
An AOV, or automatic opening vent, is a window, louvre, or roof hatch linked to a building’s fire alarm system that opens automatically the moment smoke is detected. By venting hot smoke and drawing in cooler air, an AOV keeps stairwells and corridors clear enough for people to evacuate safely, while also improving visibility for firefighters tackling the source of the fire. Smoke vent systems are typically found in multi-storey residential buildings, apartment stairwells, offices, and commercial premises where a protected escape route needs to stay smoke-free during a fire.

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Smoke Vent Systems
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Smoke ventilation is a legal requirement in most multi-storey residential buildings, HMOs, and commercial premises where a protected escape route relies on staying clear of smoke. Whether you need a natural or mechanical system depends on the building’s height, layout, and fire strategy, and getting the design right from the outset is essential for both safety and compliance.
We design and install smoke vent systems tailored to your building, covering the full range of components: AOV windows and roof vents, smoke detectors, control panels, actuators, and break-glass call points, all fully integrated with your fire alarm system. Every installation is commissioned and tested to confirm each component responds correctly to a fire signal, with full documentation provided as part of your building’s fire safety records.
A smoke vent system that hasn’t been tested is a smoke vent system you can’t rely on. UK regulations require AOV and smoke control systems to be serviced at least twice a year, with functional testing of vents, actuators, and battery backups carried out by a competent engineer. We provide planned maintenance for smoke vent systems in line with BS 7346-8, giving you a detailed service report and certification after every visit.


CTS Fire provides smoke vent system services throughout:

At CTS Fire, we’ve been passionate about keeping businesses safe since 1992. Based in Evesham, and proudly serving the Cotswolds and surrounding areas, we specialise in designing, installing, and maintaining fire alarm systems, CCTV, emergency lighting, and more. We believe in creating systems tailored to your business, ensuring safety, compliance, and peace of mind every step of the way.
View AllWhether you need a new smoke vent system designed and installed, or your existing AOVs are due their next service, our team can help. Contact us today to arrange a site visit or request a quote; we’ll make sure your escape routes stay clear when it matters most.

At CTS Fire, we offer a full range of services designed to safeguard your business, property, and people. Whether you’re looking for a new fire alarm system, CCTV for your premises, or emergency lighting that meets compliance regulations, we’re here to provide you with reliable, expert solutions.