You can also explore our range of complementary AOVs and Accessories here.
What is an AOV control panel?
An AOV control panel, or smoke vent control panel, is a device used to monitor smoke detectors or receive inputs from a fire alarm, and in turn activate connected AOV’s, mechanical smoke fans, smoke dampers and other devices in the event of fire detection to deliver the smoke ventilation strategy.
What is the difference between an AOV panel and a smoke vent panel?
Smoke vent panel, smoke ventilation control panel, and AOV panel are interchangeable terms often used to describe the control panel used to monitor, provide battery backup and operate AOVs in smoke ventilation systems.
What does a smoke ventilation control panel do?
The smoke ventilation control panel is designed to take a range of inputs that indicate fire status or conditions, and in turn apply a set of output logic to connected devices to deliver on the fire ventilation strategy. It also normally provides battery backup so that the system will operate even in the event of power failure during a fire.
What are the different types of smoke vent control panel?
Typically they are separated into single zone, multi zone and mechanical smoke fan panel types.
What is a single zone smoke panel?
A single zone smoke panel is designed to monitor and control the smoke ventilation in one zone. They are designed to be low cost and effective for smaller installations, with sufficient power output and backup batteries to operate typical AOV loads in a single zone. Sometimes they can be networked to provide smoke control solutions over multiple zones.
What is a multi-zone smoke panel?
Multi zone smoke panels are typically designed to have more inputs and outputs than a single zone panel, with the ability to be able to program complex logic to operate specific vents and connected devices according to the DesOps, or Description of Operation, or Cause and Effect detailed in the Smoke Ventilation Strategy.
What is a Smoke Ventilation Strategy?
A smoke ventilation strategy is normally set out by the Architects, Consulting Engineers and Fire Engineers as part of the building design to satisfy building regulations and provide a robust life safety solution according to the building arrangement and layout. It dictates what Smoke Vent AOVs, Dampers, Smoke sensors and other system components are where in the building – and how they must operate in the event of a fire being detected in one of the zones.
How is a smoke ventilation panel programmed?
Smoke ventilation panels are programmed and commissioned according to the fire strategy and arrangement of components like smoke detectors and call points connected to them, often using either dip switches or touchscreen displays to implement control logic according to the smoke vent strategy and required cause and effect.
What is Cause and Effect?
The cause and effect for a smoke ventilation system describes all of the various combinations of ’causes’ that may trigger the system to operate, and the required ‘effect’ or action required by the system logic to operate each of the various outputs according to the specific combination of causes and system design.
This may include the AOV panel operating a corridor Automatic Opening Vent on the floor of the fire, opening the smoke shaft damper into a smoke shaft, and opening the roof AOV at the head of the smoke shaft in order to clear smoke from the floor of the fire and aid safe escape from the building. It may include zone lockout functions too.
What is Zone Lockout?
Primary zone lockout is a function of smoke vent panels required for UK building regulation compliance in multi zone buildings, whereby only the vents and components associated with the first detected fire zone are allowed to operate, with other zones remaining closed in order to prevent crossover of smoke and fire risk between different fire compartments.
Are all smoke vent panels compatible with all AOVs?
Most smoke vent AOVs and smoke panels in the UK operate on 24v DC voltage, to enable cost effective battery backup within the panel. This means that most 24v DC panels and most 24v DC AOVs are compatible, providing the panels have sufficient load capacity according to the number of connected AOVs and their respective operating loads.
Teal Products experts can help advise on the total load requirements of a building and select the most suitable and cost effective AOV control system accordingly.
Are Teal Products panels compatible with Velux Smoke Vents and other AOVs?
Yes, Teal Products smoke panels are compatible with Velux AOVs and Rooflights along with many other brands of AOV. Our team can help select the best panel for the application according to the quantity, arrangement and load of the Velux Smoke Vents and other connected equipment.
Can one control panel operate multiple AOVs or smoke vents?
AOV control panels are often called upon to operate multiple AOVs and associated smoke control devices. Depending on the system design and arrangement, a smoke vent panel may be connected to lots of AOV smoke vents, smoke dampers and other connected devices, and will be programmed to activate numerous of those in the required combination needed in the event of a fire.
Are smoke ventilation panels required by UK building regulations?
Wherever building regulations require AOVs as part of the building smoke ventilation strategy, there must be smoke control panels to monitor the building for fire and to operate the AOV smoke vents, as well as providing a secondary power source in case of mains power failure.
What are the product standards for AOV control panels?
All smoke ventilation control panels in the UK must comply with all relevant UK standards and specifically part 10 of EN12101. EN12101-10 relates to the power and battery backup of smoke control panels and is mandated by the construction product regulations in the UK.
Is EN12101-9 a requirement for Smoke Vent Panels in the UK?
prEN12101-9 is not harmonised and therefore not mandated in the UK, however the equivalent ISO standard, BS ISO 21927-9:2012 Smoke and heat control systems, is often adopted and referred to in BS7346-8 as one means of demonstrating control system compliance. Compliance of smoke control systems with ISO 21927-9 may depend upon multiple components and the way the system performs and operates, not just the Smoke Panel.
Where can I buy UK-manufactured AOV control panels?
Teal Products supply a range of UK manufactured, UKCA marked and EN12101 compliant smoke control panels from our Gloucestershire warehouse.
Do AOV control panels need to be tested regularly?
Yes, smoke control panels and smoke vent systems should be tested in line with BS7346 requirements for testing and maintenance of smoke control systems – normally involving a weekly test in line with fire alarm system testing and other regular testing and maintenance checks performed by competent persons.
Teal Products are members of the Smoke Control Association and have an established partner network of services providers across the UK who can support all of your installation, testing and maintenance requirements.
For more information on the design requirements and relevant product standards please see our ultimate guide to smoke ventilation or drop us a line to learn more and join one of our upcoming smoke control seminars
For help with:
- System design
- Finding the right Smoke Panels for your application
- Replacement fully-certified EN12101-10 Control Panels
- Replacement AOVs, Dampers and other system components
contact our friendly team now or email info@tealproducts.co.uk
