Position of AOV's

[exfire]

Dear all, does anybody have any experience with Automatic Opening Vents (AOV's), in relation to top or bottom hung, all views will be welcome. The building in question is residential, 4 floors, dead end corridors @ 7.5m long, with a single staircase. The AOV's activate upon detection of smoke in the corridor. Each corridor has one AOV and the top of the frame is 2.1m from floor level.

[John Webb]

You need to look at Approved Documant B. In my 2000 edition (there is a more recent one) the use of AOVs is dealt with regarding keeping means of escape from flats and maisonettes clear of smoke. The use of AOVs derives from work done over many years by the Fire Research Station and Building Research establishment. If you want to look this up search around for items by Butcher, Howard Morgan and others.
AOVs do have their limitations.

[kurnal]

Lets not forget that the BRE produced a new report on the use of ventilation in flats to support the review of the approved Document B published on 6 April 2007. This is the latest thinking on the subject, and is available for free download via the planning portal- try a google search. Highly recommended for bedtime reading though.