Aerial view of three rectangular buildings with flat roofs, grass courtyards, and parked vehicles along the perimeter in an urban setting.
Aerial view of three rectangular buildings with flat roofs, grass courtyards, and parked vehicles along the perimeter in an urban setting.

AOV Systems Small Works

Our Small Works division provides dedicated support for smaller-scale projects, helping identify the right Automatic Opening Vents (AOV) system solutions for your building, backed with expert technical guidance.

Our Small Works division

Designed specifically for customers managing smaller-scale projects that require non-mechanical smoke ventilation, the Colt Small Works channel provides a personalised service tailored to your unique needs. Our Automatic Opening Vents (AOV) deliver natural smoke and heat exhaust as well as comfort ventilation, ensuring safety and well-being. These products are designed, fully tested, and certified under EN 12101-2, guaranteeing reliable performance and compliance with industry standards.

Our team will ensure efficient, prompt delivery of high-quality smoke control products, helping you keep your project on schedule and compliant with safety regulations.

Whether you need expert advice, product recommendations, or support placing an order, our dedicated sales and technical team is ready to assist you every step of the way.

For further information or to discuss your requirements, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Our world-class technical support

The Colt technical team has helped design and deliver smoke control systems on some of the most complex and demanding projects here in the UK. We bring this same level of focus, expertise and attention to detail to all our Small Works projects.

Our experienced team can review documentation and photography of your project, taking the time to properly understand your building and requirements and developing an AOV system package which supports occupant safety and is fully compliant with Building Regulations.

Three workers wearing safety gear examine electrical panels in a utility room, with one pointing at the open panel displaying wires and components.

What is an AOV?

An AOV, or Automatic Opening Vent, is a fire safety system designed to automatically open during a fire, allowing air, heat or smoke to naturally vent from the building.

Why do you need an AOV in a building?

Stairwell smoke vents provide essential heat and smoke ventilation, ensuring a safe means of escape for occupants and secure access for emergency responders. Specifically designed for stairwells in blocks of flats, hotels, offices, and retail spaces, they facilitate the safe evacuation of large groups of people during emergencies.

What are your legal responsibilities around AOVs?

The owner or Responsible Person for a building has a legal obligation to ensure that the fire and smoke control system provision within a building (including AOVs) is sufficient for it to operate safely and that all elements of the system are in good working order. This includes ensuring that measures are properly and regularly inspected, serviced and maintained by a suitably qualified individual or organisation.

For AOVs, this should include:

  • Weekly testing by someone who knows the system; and
  • 6-monthly testing and annual servicing by a suitably qualified smoke control specialist such as Colt.

Learn more about the Building Regulations and fire safety standards for AOV systems.

A building cross-section showing AOV small works. Three floors and a staircase with fire safety devices: manual call point, battery backup, switches, and smoke ventilator.

FAQs

What projects does the Colt Small Works service handle?

Our Small Works service specialises in supporting customers working on smaller-scale projects which require non-mechanical smoke ventilation solutions.  We can develop and supply AOV systems which are tailored to your project and certified to leading industry standards. 

Is there a limit on size for Small Works projects?

Small Works is designed for projects which require up to 6 AOV units or have a total value of £55,000 or lower. If you’re unsure whether Small Works is right for your project, get in touch, and our expert team can help advise you.

What is the turnaround time for Small Works AOV orders?

We prioritise a prompt and reliable turnaround for all our Small Works projects. However, order times may vary at certain times of the year. Contact our team for the latest on expected delivery times. 

Does Colt provide technical guidance?

Colt supports Small Works orders with dedicated technical support from our expert team. We’ll take the time to understand your building to ensure your AOV system specification meets your needs.

We also offer a wide range of technical guidance resources relating to smoke control systems on our website. These include detailed technical datasheets for our products and a range of knowledge articles exploring the latest regulations and best practices.

Get Started

Get in touch with our Small Works team to discuss your project.

Main Navigation