Aov's

[jasper]

Hi all, just wondering what was happening in other areas of the country regarding the requirement for AOV's in high rise blocks of flats, we have looked at one and this only has manually opening windows for ventilation of the protected corridor and staircase (single stair building), my only concern is that to protect the flat occupants automatic detection would be required within the protected corridor to activate the vents with the possibility of false activation due to the youth of today (if you know what I mean)

[CivvyFSO]

I think people will tend to follow ADB recommendations.

Single stair in a high rise would require AOVs operated by detection in any new build according to ADB. The detection doesn't set off any alarm, it is only for the operation of the AOV and the stair vent.

It is is existing then it is down to the risk assessment, and possibly comparison with older design documents to see if it is passable, or whether 'adapting to technological progress' warrants AOV's installing.

[jasper]

thanks for the reply, yes it is an existing probably 50 year old building

[CivvyFSO]

I would imagine there would be a huge cost implication to installing AOVs and the necessary detection. I can't see any FRS enforcing such measures, but I would look carefully at the integrity of what is already in place, i.e. flat doors, doors to staircases and lobbies, self closers, risers etc.

[Big T]

I look after a 17 storey block (single staircase) has no alarms, no AOV's which was upgraded in late 90's. Local Fire services quite happy with it due to existing passive protection with regard to fire doors and compartmentation.

[jasper]

the local fb are thinking (only thinking) of serving a notice, and with all their similar buildings would cost upwards of £250K to put right

[TickityBoo]

In Scotland, the technical standards only require AOVs where there are dead end access corridors in multi-stair domestic buildings and in the lobbies of single stair domestic buildings (blocks of flats under 7.5m do not normally require a lobby, ventilated or otherwise, where the hallways within the flats are protected enclosures).  Thus the stairs usually have manual electric or even just plain old manual control for ventilation and are not required to be fitted with AOVs.