Protecting London’s Iconic High-Rise Buildings with Smoke Curtains

Unrivalled Fire and Smoke Protection for High-Rises

High-rise buildings pose unique fire safety challenges, particularly in open-plan designs where traditional fire doors and walls can be impractical. Coopers Fire specialises in advanced solutions, including:

• Concertina Fire Curtains – Flexible, multi-directional fire curtains that provide seamless compartmentation without compromising aesthetics.
• Vertical Fire Curtains – Deployable barriers that close automatically in an emergency, preventing fire and smoke from spreading between floors.
• Smoke Curtains – Essential for controlling smoke movement, these curtains help maintain visibility in escape routes and reduce smoke inhalation risks.

Case Studies: Protecting London’s Most Iconic High-Rises

52 Lime Street (The Scalpel)

Designed for commercial use, The Scalpel required a high-performance fire safety solution that did not interfere with its striking glass façade. Coopers Fire installed a range of fire and smoke curtains across key areas, including:

• Fire curtains within loading bays – Ensuring fire separation in critical service areas.
• Fire curtains around staircases – Protecting evacuation routes and preventing smoke migration.
• Concertina fire curtains – Seamlessly integrating into the building’s structure for flexible compartmentation.
• Vertical fire curtains – Providing automatic fire separation between floors.

The Shard (Shard London Bridge)

The tallest building in the UK, The Shard is a mixed-use development featuring offices, restaurants, and a luxury hotel. Given the complexity of the building’s various levels and occupancies, Coopers Fire worked with multiple companies, including Heinz, to install vertical fire curtains. These solutions provide compartmentation and protect the open spaces, ensuring that fire risks are effectively managed across the building’s diverse environments.

30 St Mary Axe (The Gherkin)

One of London’s most recognisable skyscrapers, The Gherkin features a unique curved design with large open-plan floors. Coopers Fire’s solution was to install over 100 SmokeStop smoke curtain barriers. Concealed within the ceiling voids of each of the 39 floors, these curtains deploy in the event of a fire, channelling smoke away from occupants and out of the building. This strategy ensures that the Gherkin’s 41 floors remain free from smoke, providing a safe means of escape.

20 Fenchurch Street (The Walkie Talkie)

This distinctive skyscraper, known for its expansive office spaces and Sky Garden, presented complex fire safety challenges. Coopers Fire delivered a large concertina fire curtain project across multiple floors, ensuring seamless protection while maintaining the building’s aesthetic integrity. The solution allows for open-plan flexibility while ensuring that fire safety regulations are met.

122 Leadenhall Street (The Cheesegrater)

Featuring an external steel frame and expansive internal atriums, The Cheesegrater required a sophisticated approach to fire safety. Coopers Fire installed:

• Concertina fire curtains across multiple floors – Offering flexible, discreet compartmentation.
• FireMaster Plus curtains with smoke seals – Providing additional smoke control to enhance occupant safety and prevent smoke migration.

Coopers Fire: The Go-To Manufacturer for London’s Tallest Buildings

London’s most prestigious high-rises demand the best in fire safety. Coopers Fire’s expert engineers collaborate closely with architects, fire engineers, and contractors to integrate bespoke fire and smoke curtains into complex building designs. Our solutions comply with the latest regulations, ensuring that safety is never compromised.

A Legacy of Fire Safety Innovation

With a portfolio that spans the capital’s most recognisable structures, Coopers Fire continues to lead the industry with pioneering fire curtain technology. From the highest observation decks to the busiest commercial floors, our solutions provide the invisible yet indispensable layer of protection that keeps London’s skyline—and its people—safe.

For architects and developers seeking the ultimate in fire safety solutions, Coopers Fire remains the go-to name in the industry. If you’re working on a high-rise project in London, get in touch with us to learn how our fire and smoke curtain expertise can help protect your building and its occupants.

Book a RIBA, CABE and FIA approved CPD

Architects are welcome to visit our manufacturing facility to see the end-to-end UK manufacturing in action, combine it with our RIBA accredited CPD.