Stairwell Vent Kits

Inbuild UK Stairwell Vent Kits provide a fully packaged, compliant solution for smoke control in stairwells, helping to keep escape routes safer and clearer in the event of a fire. 

Designed for residential and commercial buildings, our kits integrate an automatic opening vent (AOV) with the control system, sensors and user interfaces needed to operate a typical stair core smoke ventilation system.

In a fire scenario, smoke and hot gases can rapidly fill stairwells, reducing visibility, increasing toxic exposure, and compromising both occupant escape and fire-fighting access.

Our Stairwell Vent Kits are designed to respond automatically when smoke is detected, opening the AOV to create a smoke exhaust path. This helps to reduce smoke build-up, improve visibility, and maintain more tenable conditions in the stair core for a longer period.

Each kit is supplied as a coordinated package, reducing the need to source and piece together multiple components. This approach helps simplify specification, shorten installation time, and reduce the risk of compatibility issues on site. Installers, consultants and contractors benefit from a clear, repeatable solution, while building owners and managers gain a system that is easier to operate, maintain, and demonstrate for compliance.

Typical Stairwell Vent Kit packages from Inbuild UK can include:

• Automatic Opening Vent (AOV) – Rooflight, window or louvred vent sized to suit stair core requirements.
• Control Panel – Microprocessor-based control unit to manage automatic signals, manual overrides and fault monitoring.
• Smoke Detectors – Strategically placed smoke detection devices to trigger automatic opening of the stairwell vent.
• Manual Controls / Fireman’s Override – Manual call points, break-glass units or firefighter switches for local control.
• Power Supply & Battery Back-up – Mains supply with integrated back-up batteries to maintain operation during power failure.
• System Wiring & Interfaces – Provision for integration with the fire alarm system and other life safety systemswhere required.

Our Stairwell Vent Kits are suitable for new build and refurbishment projects, including:

• Apartment blocks and multi-residential developments
• Hotels and student accommodation
• Office buildings and commercial stair cores
• Mixed-use schemes where robust means of escape are essential

With support from Inbuild UK, you can select a kit configuration that aligns with your project’s design criteria, regulatory requirements and budget, while maintaining a clear focus on life safety, reliability and ease of use.

A Stairwell Vent Kit is a pre-configured package that provides everything needed for a stair core smoke ventilation system. It typically includes an automatic opening vent (AOV), control panel, smoke detection, and manual override devices, designed to work together as a complete solution.

An Automatic Opening Vent (AOV) is a window, rooflight or louvre that opens automatically when a fire or smoke condition is detected. Its purpose is to release smoke and hot gases from the stairwell, helping to keep the escape route clearer and supporting fire service access.

In a fire, stairwells can fill with smoke, making it difficult and dangerous for occupants to escape. A Stairwell Vent Kithelps to control and remove smoke, improving visibility, reducing smoke concentration, and providing a more tenable environment for both occupants and firefighters.

Yes. Inbuild UK Stairwell Vent Kits are suitable for new developments and retrofit projects. The packaged designmakes it easier to integrate smoke ventilation into existing buildings, while providing a simple go-to solution for new build designs.

Our Stairwell Vent Kits are commonly used in:

• Residential apartment blocks
• Hotels and student accommodation
• Office buildings
• Mixed-use and commercial schemes

Any building with a common escape stairwell can potentially benefit from a dedicated smoke ventilation kit, subject to design and regulatory requirements.

Yes. While the exact regulatory route depends on the project, Stairwell Vent Kits are designed to support compliancewith relevant building regulations and fire safety guidance relating to means of escape and smoke control. Your fire engineer or design team should confirm the final design and sizing to ensure full compliance.

A typical kit may include:

• AOV unit (roof vent, window or louvre)
• Control panel with integrated battery back-up
• Smoke detectors for automatic activation
• Manual call points or firefighter override switches
• Power supply and system interfaces to other life safety systems

Exact contents can be configured to suit your project specification.

Yes. Our Stairwell Vent Kits are designed to interface with the main fire alarm system, allowing smoke detectors, alarm signals and manual call points to work in a coordinated way. This integration helps ensure reliable activation and clear cause-and-effect during an incident.

Yes. As a life safety system, the Stairwell Vent Kit must be regularly inspected, tested and maintained. Routine maintenance helps confirm that the AOV, control panel, detectors, and manual devices are all operational and ready to perform in an emergency.

Yes. Inbuild UK can support with product selection, technical information, and system layout guidance to help ensure the Stairwell Vent Kit is correctly applied, installed and commissioned in line with your project requirements and fire strategy.