AOV & smoke ventilation — designed, installed & maintained

IFC SDI 19 certified smoke ventilation specialists. We design, install and maintain compliant AOV and smoke control systems for residential, commercial and high-rise developments across the UK.

Our AOV Services

Four services, one accredited team

From the initial survey through to ongoing maintenance — everything your AOV system needs to stay compliant, delivered by IFC SDI 19 certified specialists.

AOV Installations

Full-design installs for new builds, refurbs and retrofits. Stairwells, corridors, atria and high-rise residential — designed to BS 7346 and Approved Document B.

AOV Service

BS 7346-8 servicing on existing systems. Functional testing, control panel checks, actuator verification — with a compliant test certificate every visit.

AOV Maintenance

Reactive and planned maintenance contracts. Faults rectified, parts replaced, manufacturer-spec components — keeping your system fully compliant year after year.

Survey & Sign-off

Independent surveys and BS 7346-8 compliance sign-off — for new builds going through commissioning, or existing systems needing verification.

What is AOV?

Smoke ventilation that saves lives

An Automatic Opening Vent (AOV) is a window, roof vent or louvre that opens automatically when smoke is detected — clearing escape routes of smoke so occupants can evacuate and fire services can enter safely.

AOV systems are a legal requirement in most multi-storey residential and commercial buildings under Approved Document B of the Building Regulations and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. They protect stairwells, corridors, lobbies and atria — the critical paths people use to get out.

BLEC Group is an IFC SDI 19 certified smoke ventilation contractor — one of the few in the South West peninsula. We design, install, commission and maintain smoke control systems for housing associations, managing agents, local authorities and developers across the UK.

UK Coverage

Working nationwide from Plymouth

From our Plymouth HQ, our directly-employed AOV engineers cover residential and commercial developments across the country.

Active regions

London

Devon

Cornwall

Bristol

South Wales

Oxfordshire

Hampshire

Hertfordshire

Middlesex

Surrey

Outside these regions? We still cover the rest of the UK on a project basis — get in touch with the postcode and we’ll confirm.

Manufacturer partners

SE Controls

Trusted Partner

Teal Products

Approved Partner

Velux

Window Master

Ventec

Dyer

Easivent

SCS

Why BLEC

Six reasons we're the AOV partner of choice

What sets us apart from a generic mechanical contractor — and why housing associations and managing agents trust us with their smoke ventilation compliance.

IFC SDI 19 Certified

One of the few IFC SDI 19 certified smoke ventilation contractors in the South West peninsula — independently audited competence.

Directly employed engineers

Every AOV engineer on a BLEC job is on the BLEC payroll. No subcontracting, no day-rate strangers, no broken paper trails.

Manufacturer relationships

Direct contracts with SE Controls, Velux, Window Master, Dyer, SCS, Ventec & Easivent — better pricing, faster parts.

BS 7346 compliant by design

Every install designed to BS 7346-8 and Approved Document B. Smoke control reports, commissioning certs, ongoing service records.

Free site survey

We don't quote off a drawing. Free survey, accurate scope, fixed price — no day-rate variations creeping onto invoices.

24/7 reactive callouts

AOV faults are urgent — your fire safety certificate depends on the system working. We respond fast, fix once, document everything.

Common Questions

AOV questions, answered.

The questions we get asked most often when property managers and housing associations are scoping AOV work. If yours isn’t here, just call.

What does AOV actually stand for?

Automatic Opening Vent. It’s a window, roof vent or louvre fitted with an actuator that opens automatically when smoke detectors or a control panel signals it — clearing smoke from escape routes during a fire. Sometimes also called SHEV (Smoke and Heat Exhaust Ventilation) or just “smoke ventilation”.

Is an AOV a legal requirement?

For most multi-storey residential and commercial buildings, yes. Approved Document B of the Building Regulations requires smoke ventilation in stairwells, corridors and lobbies of buildings above certain heights. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places ongoing duty on the responsible person to keep that system maintained and functional. A failed AOV is a fire safety breach.

How often does an AOV need servicing?

BS 7346-8 recommends an annual service by a competent contractor at minimum, with weekly/monthly visual checks by the building’s responsible person. For high-rise residential blocks and HMOs, many fire risk assessments now specify 6-monthly servicing. Either way, BLEC diary the schedule and remind you when each visit is due.

My current AOV isn't working — can you fix it?

Yes. We service and maintain systems from all major manufacturers — SE Controls, Velux, Window Master, Dyer, Easivent, Ventec, SCS and others. We start with a free system survey to identify what’s installed and what’s gone wrong, then quote rectification work. Most faults we can repair on the spot.

Can you install AOVs in an occupied building?

Yes — most of our installs are in occupied residential blocks. We work in phases, communicate with residents in advance, set up safe working zones, and isolate sections of the existing fire safety system one stairwell or corridor at a time. Disruption is minimal and the building’s fire strategy stays covered throughout the project.

Do you provide certificates and documentation?

Every install ends with a commissioning certificate, O&M manuals and a system schematic for your building file. Every service visit produces a BS 7346-8 service report with photos and pass/fail records — exactly what the fire risk assessor, insurer and managing agent need to see in your compliance file.