Today we took delivery of the Velux windows (and additional slates, to replace broken ones).

There are two electronically-operated opening windows to be installed at the top of the stairwell, these will be connected via a Velux-supplied control unit to the fire alarm - and also switches to enable the people in the house to open and close the windows (pretty much like electric windows in a car).

What I didn't realise until it arrived was how big and heavy the control unit is: looks like it's built to withstand World War Three!

It was good that we found this out before the meeting with the electricians; I told them that the box would be going in the plant room, and they'd have to run cables up to the roof from there, as it would be too big and heavy to put on the wall at high level, as originally intended.

The rest of the meeting with the electricians went well - I just need to confirm a few details with them ahead of them starting on-site a week on Monday.

Incidentally, Velux provided stickers for the smoke vent control box in numerous European languages, the etymology of which I found quite interesting: