In this issue of Building & Facilities News, we are pleased to feature Air Pressure Solutions Ltd as our Pressure Venting Solutions Company of the Month.
For more than 23 years, Air Pressure Solutions Ltd has been at the forefront of designing and manufacturing specialist pressure venting and gas extraction systems for some of the most demanding, safety-critical environments. Built on a foundation of practical engineering expertise, the company has evolved into a recognised leader in pressure relief and arc blast protection, serving industries where performance, compliance,
and reliability are non-negotiable.
The origins of the business can be traced back to 2003, when founder Paul first established himself within the sector. However, the thinking that would ultimately define Air Pressure Solutions began even earlier. Throughout the 1990s, Paul repeatedly encountered a persistent challenge: the lack of available pressure vents in the sizes and specifications required for complex or non-standard applications. Faced with limited options and unwilling to compromise on safety or performance, he began designing bespoke solutions himself. This hands-on, problem-solving approach, born out of necessity – became the cornerstone of the company’s ethos.
This early experience fostered a culture rooted in innovation, adaptability, and a willingness to challenge conventional limitations. Rather than relying on standardised products, the focus was always on engineering solutions that directly addressed real-world challenges. In 2013, Air Pressure Solutions Ltd was formally established, transforming those earlier ventures into a dedicated, specialist manufacturing business
with a clear identity and purpose.
Operating from its base in Sevenoaks, Kent, the company benefits from a fully integrated, single-site structure. This setup enables seamless collaboration between design, manufacturing, and customer support teams, ensuring consistency and responsiveness throughout every stage of a project. It also allows for stringent quality control and strong technical alignment, essential when delivering solutions for complex or safety-critical applications. From this UK hub, Air Pressure Solutions supports projects both nationally and internationally, reflecting the growing global demand for highly specialised pressure management systems.
The company specialises in the design and manufacture of pressure relief vents and arc blast pressure vents, primarily serving the fire protection and power generation sectors. Its systems are widely used in data centres, where they play a crucial role in safely relieving pressure generated during gaseous fire suppression system discharges. In these environments, even minor pressure imbalances can result in structural damage or system failure, making reliable venting systems essential.
In addition, Air Pressure Solutions’ products are deployed in substations and switchgear rooms, where they help manage arc blast events. These incidents can generate sudden and extreme pressure increases, requiring robust, precisely engineered solutions capable of performing under highly demanding conditions. The company’s systems are also integrated into pressurised smoke control environments, where maintaining balanced airflow is critical for both safety and operational efficiency.
Within its specialist field, Air Pressure Solutions is widely regarded as an international market leader. This position has been built through a combination of technical expertise, continuous product innovation, and a commitment to delivering practical engineering solutions. Rather than offering generic, off-the-shelf products, the company focuses on solving complex pressure management challenges where standard approaches are often insufficient.
One of the company’s key differentiators lies in its product design philosophy. While many competitors offer separate one-way or two-way vent systems, Air Pressure Solutions has developed solutions that incorporate dual-directional functionality within a single unit. This approach simplifies specification and installation, reduces the risk of incorrect product selection, and ultimately improves overall system reliability and efficiency.
Equally important is the company’s emphasis on collaboration. Air Pressure Solutions works closely with clients throughout the design and specification process, providing detailed technical input, performance calculations, and tailored engineering support. This collaborative approach ensures that each solution is optimised for its specific application, which is particularly valuable on complex projects where precision and compliance are critical.
The company works primarily with fire suppression system manufacturers and installers, smoke control specialists, and contractors within the power generation sector. These are typically high-specification environments where system performance cannot be compromised and where compliance with strict regulatory standards is essential. In such settings, a tailored, engineering-led approach is not just beneficial, it is necessary.
At the heart of Air Pressure Solutions’ operations is a clear guiding principle: to deliver the most effective technical solution for each application by fully understanding the challenge and engineering accordingly. This philosophy underpins everything from product development to customer relationships and project delivery.
This approach is exemplified by the company’s innovative MPV range, a versatile family of pressure relief vents designed for modern fire suppression and blast protection applications. Engineered for both performance and adaptability, the MPV range plays a vital role in managing pressure changes caused by inert and chemical gas discharge systems, as well as arc blast events in high-risk electrical environments.
At its core, the MPV is designed to function as a one-way pressure vent when used with inert gas systems such as Argonite or Inergen, allowing for the rapid release of excess pressure during system discharge. Its key innovation, however, lies in its adaptability. By simply removing a single securing screw during installation, the unit can be easily converted into a two-way vent.
This flexibility allows the same unit to manage both positive and negative pressure, making it suitable for use with chemical fire suppression agents such as FK-5-1-12 and FM200, which require controlled venting in both directions. The ability to adapt a single product to multiple system types offers a significant advantage in both design and installation.
As a result, a single MPV unit can replace multiple traditional vent types, reducing complexity in specification, installation, and stockholding. For contractors and system designers, this translates into improved efficiency, reduced risk of error, and simplified logistics. The vents are also engineered for high free vent area performance while maintaining a compact, fire-rated construction suitable for critical infrastructure environments.
Ease of installation is another key consideration. The MPV range is supplied as a complete kit, including wall sleeves, fixing components, and safety labelling, ensuring straightforward integration into both new and existing systems. This attention to detail reflects the company’s commitment to making advanced engineering solutions as accessible and user-friendly as possible.
Beyond pressure venting, Air Pressure Solutions has also established a strong reputation in the field of smoke control. Its portfolio includes smoke fan kits, fire curtains, and a comprehensive range of smoke ventilation components, all designed to protect life and property in buildings where safe evacuation and effective fire management are critical.
These systems are not simply standalone products but fully integrated solutions designed in accordance with stringent UK and European safety standards. This ensures that all elements work seamlessly together in emergency situations, where reliability and co-ordination are essential.
A key part of this offering is the company’s mechanical smoke extract and pressurisation systems, delivered through its smoke fan kit range. These systems are designed to control the movement of smoke within buildings, particularly in stairwells and lift lobbies, ensuring that escape routes remain clear and accessible during a fire.
Each system is tailored to the specific building type and height, from low-rise residential developments to complex high-rise commercial structures. All systems are designed in accordance with BS EN12101-6, ensuring full compliance with industry standards. The kits are supplied as complete packages, typically including fire-rated extract fans, ductwork, dampers, control panels, and override systems, all engineered to operate as a cohesive solution.
In the event of a fire, these systems enable smoke to be effectively extracted or controlled through pressurisation, preventing it from spreading into protected escape routes. This not only supports safe evacuation but also assists emergency services in accessing and managing the incident.
In addition to supply, Air Pressure Solutions offers commissioning and certification services, ensuring that systems are fully operational, correctly configured, and compliant once installed. This end-to-end support provides added assurance for clients working within highly regulated environments.
Complementing these systems is a wide range of smoke control components, including automatic opening vents, smoke shaft dampers, control panels, and detection systems. These can be supplied individually or as part of a complete package, all designed to meet Approved Document B and BS EN12101-2 requirements.
Alongside smoke ventilation, the company provides fire and smoke curtain systems that play a critical role in compartmentation. Designed to contain fire and restrict the spread of smoke, these curtains help protect escape routes and limit damage within buildings.
The systems are rigorously tested, offering fire resistance up to 1,000°C, with up to two hours of integrity and 60 minutes of insulation. Constructed from woven glass fibre fabric reinforced with stainless steel wiring, they are both durable and reliable under extreme conditions. Available in bespoke configurations, they can be tailored to the specific dimensions and requirements of each project.
Design flexibility is further enhanced through options such as surface-mounted or recessed installations, as well as finishes that can be matched to interior aesthetics. Practical features such as battery-backed control panels and gravity failsafe operation ensure reliable deployment, even in the event of power failure.
Looking ahead, Air Pressure Solutions continues to invest heavily in innovation and product development. As Project Manager Vicky White explains, “We are launching our latest pressure vent development for the European market, delivering fire ratings up to EI120. Our focus has been on developing products that meet evolving standards, and we have further innovations in the pipeline.”
“Looking forward, we aim to expand our global distributor network while continuing to push the boundaries of what is technically possible. Our goal is to remain at the forefront of the industry by combining innovation with practical, real-world application.”
T +44 (0)1732 757431
sales@airpressuresolutions.co.uk
www.airpressuresolutions.co.uk