In a circa 1987 five story block of older persons sheltered flats there are AOVs at the end of the corridors with OVs directly below them. As I understand it, current principle is the AOVs should only open on a fire floor to prevent ingress of smoke ventilated from a lower floor into a higher floor. Where there are OVs directly below the AOVs that are used for day-to-day ventilation and generally left open, this seems somewhat pointless. In these circumstances should the aspiration be for the OVs to be sealed / replaced by AOVs or is it the case that as the building was approved at the time of its construction it remains acceptable? 

I can see your concerns but check out https://www.members.labc.co.uk/sites/default/files/EXT.SCA-Guidance-on-Smoke-Control-to-Common-Escape-Routes-Oct2015.LSt_.v2.151116.pdf and see it this guide helps.

Are these in windows on an external wall? It's more of an issue with internal smoke shafts, where incorrect C&E on the system has led to rapid spread of smoke through all floors.