The UK’s First Rooflight To Be Electronically Recoverable!

Glazing Vision always prides itself on being industry leaders within the rooflight manufacturing industry. As a celebration of Manufacturing Day 2023, we would like to tell you the story behind our xVent, The UK’s first electronically recoverable smoke vent to and BSEN12101-2:2003 standard over 10 years ago!

Manufacturing Day 2023

Manufacturing Day is an important celebration for Glazing Vision. Being pioneers in the rooflight industry makes it a fantastic opportunity to discuss our previous and most recent successes over the past 29 years. It provides an opportunity for manufacturers like us to open our doors to the community, offer facility tours, and engage in various activities to showcase our operations and products.

The xVent

The xVent is a testament to Glazing Vision’s pioneering spirit, representing the company’s debut in the realm of smoke ventilation. Engineered to meet BSEN12101-2:2003, it embodies the highest levels of safety and performance.

To ensure optimal performance, AOV (Automatic Opening Ventilation) systems must undergo a comprehensive series of tests adhering to the BS EN 12101-2:2003.

These rigorous tests encompass various aspects, including extensive cycle testing spanning thousands of operations. The systems are also subjected to testing within a broad temperature range, from high to low, with the strict requirement that the opening area does not diminish by more than 10%. Furthermore, AOV units are tested to withstand snow and wind loads while achieving the critical task of opening to the fire position within 60 seconds, utilizing both mains and battery power.

Manufacturers that have conducted these demanding tests are required to furnish a Certificate of Conformity issued by a UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited body. This certificate provides detailed information about the specific loadings and temperature conditions to which the AOV system was subjected during testing. It should be complemented by a Declaration of Performance, ensuring transparency and compliance with established standards.

Remarkably, the xVent sets a new industry benchmark as the first rooflight in the UK to swiftly open to a 140-degree angle during fire emergencies and then be fully recoverable at the push of a button!

This innovative rooflight redefines design possibilities by seamlessly integrating fire safety with cutting-edge engineering. With the xVent, Glazing Vision reaffirms its commitment to pushing the boundaries of what rooflights can achieve, providing architects, designers, and clients with unparalleled peace of mind and performance in fire safety and ventilation.

Here are the key features of the xVent Rooflight:

• Intelligent Battery Backup: The xVent is equipped with intelligent battery backup, ensuring reliable performance even during power outages or emergencies. This feature guarantees peace of mind for both designers and clients, providing continuous ventilation and smoke extraction capabilities when needed most!
• Dual Scissor Actuators: Engineered with precision, the xVent boasts dual scissor actuators that facilitate swift and efficient ventilation. Whether it’s daily air circulation or rapid smoke extraction during fire emergencies, this rooflight delivers fast functionality with ease.
• Thermally Broken Framework: The xVent features a thermally broken framework, offering superior insulation and energy efficiency. It not only enhances the overall thermal performance of your space but also contributes to sustainable building design.
• Rigorous Testing: Compliance with European standards is paramount, and the xVent has undergone rigorous testing, enduring thousands of cycles to meet the highest quality and safety standards. This commitment to excellence ensures that your project remains in line with the most stringent regulations.
• Fire Alarm Integration: Upon installation, it seamlessly integrates with your fire alarm system. In the event of a fire, the rooflight automatically opens to a 140° angle, providing rapid and effective smoke ventilation, ensuring the safety of occupants and property.
• Dual Functionality: Beyond its primary function as a smoke ventilation unit, the xVent also serves as an exceptional day-to-day vent. It can be effortlessly opened to 45°, allowing for controlled airflow and natural light intake, enhancing the comfort and ambiance of your space.
• Versatile Sizing: The xVent is available in two standard sizes, providing clear openings of 1m² and 1.5m², making it adaptable to various project requirements. For larger roof glazing needs, it seamlessly integrates into the Flushglaze system, ensuring a cohesive and visually stunning result.

With the xVent, architects and designers can achieve a harmonious fusion of functionality and aesthetics. Designs can prioritise safety and efficiency with this innovative rooflight, as well as elevate your project to new heights!

Ecobuild is the world’s biggest event for sustainable design and construction, as well as being the UK’s largest construction event of any kind. After being certified in 2010, the xVent was first shown at the 2011 EcoBuild Show at the London ExCel Centre in March. From that the first installation of the xVent was in Scotland and now has grown to be all over the UK, integrated into different buildings.

The xVent finds versatile applications in various settings, serving both safety and comfort needs. It is frequently employed in shared stairways and hallways, crucial spaces utilized during fire evacuations. Additionally, it serves as an excellent ventilation solution for kitchens and other communal areas, enhancing air quality and comfort in everyday living environments.

Glazing Vision has consistently pushed the boundaries of design and engineering in the realm of architectural glass solutions. Our commitment to excellence has made us an industry leader, and our products have transformed spaces, making them more sustainable, energy-efficient, and aesthetically pleasing.

It is achievements like the xVent that make us proud to celebrate Manufacturing Day 2023 and use the opportunity to share our process, our team, and our commitments to being a forward-thinking rooflight company.

Sustainability

Glazing Vision spends a lot of time emphasising our sustainability efforts and for good reason! Being eco-conscious is so important nowadays, especially for the manufacturing industry. Our certifications in ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 establish how we keep high quality standards whilst still taking the environment into consideration every step through our processes.

To our team, rooflights are a way to connect people to light, air and space, as well as providing an opportunity to let more of the outside in. Finding solutions to keeping high standards across the board is what we strive to do for both the client, the community, and the world!

“Glazing Vision’s success over the last 29 years has been firmly rooted in the excellence of our staff and products. Our approach centers on training our employees to identify optimal solutions for projects, prioritising value.  We are fortunate to have a team of exceptionally talented individuals capable of turning concepts into reality.

Personally, I derive immense satisfaction from participating in problem-solving, a mantra that resonates throughout our entire organisation.” – Jon Shooter, Managing Director at Glazing Vision.

Our Factory

The factory pushes this innovation and success through their high standards and client first attitudes, as well as proudly showcasing the driving forces behind our innovation and success. Our unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest standards and prioritising our clients’ needs is the cornerstone of our operations. This dedication is palpable in every aspect of our work, from the seamless coordination between different production cells to our team’s willingness to collaboratively resolve challenges and consistently deliver projects on schedule, all while upholding stringent quality benchmarks.

This spirit of unity and shared purpose within our factory is truly remarkable. It fosters not only a strong sense of camaraderie among our workforce but also a genuine pride in the exceptional products we manufacture. It is through this collective effort and dedication that we continue to push the boundaries of innovation in our industry.

“I have been with Glazing Vision for slightly over 10 years and have been directly responsible for the manufacturing facility since January 2022. I firmly believe that the team we have assembled today is the most exceptional team I have ever had the privilege to work with. The synergy among our team members, their eagerness to address challenges and deliver high-quality work on schedule, is truly remarkable and instils a profound sense of pride in the products we manufacture.” – Carl Stevenson, Production Manager.

“I’ve struck a little arrangement with our factory staff: if they meet their agreed production targets without compromising quality, it’s pizza time! Frankly, with the sheer amount of pizza I’ve treated them to this year, I might as well be a shareholder in the local pizza takeout joint!

Our current workforce has shown incredible loyalty who possess the essential skills that set our products apart. Additionally, we’ve made substantial investments in our quality team, spearheaded by Michelle Rolph, to ensure that every product that leaves our factory is in impeccable condition.” – Jon Shooter, Managing Director at Glazing Vision.

In celebration of Manufacturing Day 2023, Glazing Vision proudly reflects on its rich history as an industry leader in rooflight manufacturing. The journey has been marked by innovation, dedication to quality, and a commitment to pushing boundaries.

One remarkable achievement stands out: the introduction of the xVent, the UK’s first fire-rated rooflight. This groundbreaking product, meeting the BSEN12101-2:2003, not only sets new safety benchmarks but also seamlessly integrates aesthetics with engineering. With features like intelligent battery backup, dual scissor actuators, and rigorous testing, the xVent demonstrates Glazing Vision’s dedication to excellence.

Sustainability is a core value, evidenced by ISO certifications and a deep commitment to eco-conscious manufacturing. Glazing Vision’s success is rooted in the excellence of its staff, who are empowered to find optimal solutions and prioritise value. This commitment to problem-solving runs through the entire organisation.

In the factory, high standards and a client-first approach drive innovation and success. The exceptional teamwork, eagerness to address challenges, and the pursuit of high-quality work instill immense pride in the products they create.

Glazing Vision’s end to end service featuring design, manufacturing and installation, via our sister company Glazing Renovations, demonstrates the ease and emphasises the quality behind our rooflights and customer service.

Want to speak with us about getting your own rooflight? Contact us today!

For more information on The UK’s First Rooflight To Be Electronically Recoverable! talk to Glazing Vision Ltd