AOV Testing Frequencies at a Glance

Why Do AOV Systems Need Regular Testing?

Smoke-control equipment is exposed to age, weather, building work and normal mechanical wear. As a result, faults may develop between professional service visits.

Regular AOV testing can help identify:

• Failed standby batteries
• Damaged or seized actuators
• Windows or roof vents that do not open fully
• Obstructed smoke vents
• Smoke-shaft damper faults
• Failed extract fans
• Smoke-detector problems
• Control-panel faults
• Fire-alarm interface failures
• Damaged cables or connections
• Water ingress
• Incorrect cause-and-effect programming

Early identification allows faults to be repaired before an emergency occurs. Furthermore, regular records help the responsible person demonstrate that the system is being managed.

Do AOV Systems Need Monthly Testing?

Some buildings include monthly AOV checks within their fire-safety procedures. However, the specific requirement depends on the property and applicable duties.

Regulation 7 of the

Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022

requires responsible persons for high-rise residential buildings to undertake monthly routine checks of lifts used by firefighters, evacuation lifts and key firefighting equipment.

The regulations identify smoke-control systems as key firefighting equipment. Consequently, applicable buildings should have a documented process for completing, recording and acting upon the required checks.

Government guidance is available through the

GOV.UK fact sheet for lifts and essential firefighting equipment
.

What Counts as a High-Rise Residential Building?

For the relevant duties under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, a high-rise residential building generally contains two or more sets of domestic premises and is at least 18 metres high or has at least seven storeys.

Where there is uncertainty, the responsible person should obtain competent fire-safety advice rather than assuming that the monthly requirement does not apply.

What Should Be Checked During a Routine AOV Test?

Routine checks should follow the manufacturer’s instructions and the site-specific testing procedure. The person carrying out the test should understand the expected system response before activating any controls.

Should Every AOV Vent Be Tested?

The testing programme should confirm that every relevant vent, actuator, damper, fan and control operates correctly over the required testing cycle.

In a small system, all components may be tested during one visit. In a larger building, testing may be organised in a documented rotation, provided the arrangement follows the approved maintenance programme.

However, relying repeatedly on the same detector and vent can leave faults elsewhere undiscovered.

Therefore, records should clearly identify which equipment was operated on each test date.

How Should an AOV Be Functionally Tested?

A functional test should prove that the initiating device produces the intended smoke-control response.

Depending on the system, the test may involve:

1. Informing relevant occupants and monitoring centres.
2. Checking that the area is safe for equipment operation.
3. Activating the approved smoke detector or manual control.
4. Confirming the correct panel indication.
5. Observing which vents, dampers or fans operate.
6. Checking the replacement-air opening.
7. Confirming that unaffected equipment remains in its programmed position.
8. Resetting the complete system.
9. Recording the result and any defects.

What Is Cause-and-Effect Testing?

Cause and effect describes how the smoke-control system should respond after a particular detector, switch or interface activates.

For example, smoke detection on one floor may need to:

• Open the smoke-shaft damper on the affected floor
• Keep dampers on unaffected floors closed
• Open the head-of-shaft vent
• Open a designated replacement-air inlet
• Start a mechanical extract fan
• Display the correct status at the control panel

Testing only an actuator or output does not prove that the initiating detector will start the correct sequence. Therefore, professional testing should include end-to-end cause-and-effect checks.

How Often Should AOV Detectors Be Tested?

Smoke detectors connected to the AOV system should be included within the building’s planned testing and maintenance programme.

Testing should confirm that:

• The detector responds to suitable test equipment.
• The correct panel indication appears.
• The required vent or smoke-control sequence activates.
• The detector remains unobstructed and correctly identified.
• The system resets after the test.

Where detection is provided through the main fire-alarm system, the interface between the fire alarm and AOV panel should also be tested.

Learn more about our

commercial fire-alarm servicing and maintenance
.

How Often Should AOV Actuators Be Tested?

Actuators should be operated during scheduled functional tests and professional servicing.

During testing, check for:

• Full opening and closing movement
• Slow or restricted operation
• Unusual noise or vibration
• Damaged chains, spindles or arms
• Loose mounting brackets
• Corrosion or water damage
• Damaged electrical cables
• Incorrect final position

An actuator that moves but fails to open the vent fully should be recorded as a defect.

How Often Should AOV Batteries Be Tested?

Standby batteries should be inspected during planned professional servicing and whenever the panel reports a power-supply or battery fault.

Battery checks may include:

• Installation date
• Battery type and capacity
• Charging voltage
• Individual battery voltage
• Condition under load
• Terminal condition
• Signs of leakage, swelling or corrosion

A battery can display an acceptable voltage but fail under load. Consequently, professional assessment should consider its actual condition and performance.

How Often Should Smoke-Shaft Dampers Be Tested?

Smoke-shaft dampers should be included within routine functional tests and detailed professional maintenance.

Testing should confirm:

• The correct floor damper opens.
• Other floor dampers remain in their required positions.
• The damper reaches its full intended position.
• The actuator and linkage operate correctly.
• The control panel receives the correct status.
• The damper resets after the test.

A failed damper can prevent smoke from entering the intended shaft. Therefore, defects should be investigated promptly.

How Often Should Extract Fans Be Tested?

Mechanical smoke-extract fans should be tested as part of the system’s planned routine and professional maintenance programme.

Testing may include:

• Automatic start after smoke-control activation
• Correct panel and local indications
• Unusual noise or vibration
• Visible motor and fan condition
• Correct associated damper operation
• Electrical supply and control operation
• Correct shutdown and reset

Additional specialist performance testing may be required for complex mechanical systems.

What Should Happen If an AOV Fails a Test?

A failed AOV test should never be ignored or repeatedly reset without investigation.

The responsible person should:

1. Record the fault and affected equipment.
2. Report the problem to the appropriate building manager.
3. Arrange investigation by a competent AOV engineer.
4. Assess whether temporary fire-safety measures are needed.
5. Complete the required repair.
6. Retest the affected system.
7. Update the fire-safety records.

In applicable high-rise residential buildings, faults affecting required firefighting equipment may also create additional reporting duties where equipment remains out of order for more than 24 hours.

What AOV Testing Records Should Be Kept?

Accurate testing records help show that the system is being checked and that faults are being managed.

Records may be held within the building fire-safety logbook, electronic maintenance system or another controlled record.

Who Can Carry Out Routine AOV Tests?

Routine checks may be completed by a trained and authorised person who understands the system, testing procedure and expected response.

This person should know:

• How to notify occupants before testing
• How to identify the correct test control
• Which equipment should operate
• How to reset the system safely
• How to record the result
• What to do if the test fails

Detailed servicing, electrical testing, programming changes and repairs should be carried out by a competent smoke-control engineer.

What Standards Apply to AOV Testing?

The applicable documents depend on the building and installed smoke-control system. Relevant guidance may include:

• BS 7346-8 – recommendations for smoke-control planning, design, installation, commissioning and maintenance.
• BS EN 12101 series – standards covering smoke and heat control equipment and components.
• Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 – additional monthly checks for applicable high-rise residential buildings.
• Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 – fire-safety duties for relevant premises.
• The building’s fire strategy, risk assessment and manufacturer’s instructions.

BSI describes

BS 7346-8

as providing recommendations for natural and mechanical smoke-control systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Professional AOV Testing from AK Fire Safety

AK Fire Safety provides professional AOV testing, servicing and repair services for apartment blocks, landlords, managing agents, housing providers, commercial premises and public-sector organisations.

Our services include:

• AOV functional testing
• Six-monthly planned maintenance
• Smoke-control system surveys
• Control-panel testing
• Smoke-detector testing
• Actuator and vent testing
• Smoke-shaft damper testing
• Extract-fan testing
• Replacement-air testing
• Fire-alarm interface testing
• Cause-and-effect verification
• Battery testing and replacement
• Fault diagnosis and repairs
• System commissioning and upgrades
• Nationwide maintenance contracts

Conclusion

AOV systems should be tested regularly through a combination of visual inspections, functional checks and detailed professional servicing.

Many systems are professionally serviced every six months. However, additional checks may be needed according to the fire strategy, manufacturer’s instructions and building risk.

Applicable high-rise residential buildings in England must also complete monthly checks of key firefighting equipment, including smoke-control systems.

Most importantly, testing should prove that the complete system operates correctly—from smoke detection through to the final vent, damper, fan and replacement-air response.