Barclays Skyscraper Hosts Rooftop Fire Simulation with London Fire Brigade and Concept Smoke Systems
London, UK — In a landmark high-rise fire training exercise, Barclays, in partnership with the London Fire Brigade, commissioned Concept Smoke Systems to carry out a controlled smoke simulation on the rooftop of its 33-storey headquarters at 1 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf.
The scenario aimed to replicate — in a safe and controlled manner — the conditions of a real incident from March 2019, when an air conditioning unit caught fire on the building’s rooftop. With one of London’s most recognisable skyscrapers at the centre of the exercise, the training event underscored the importance of preparedness and rapid response in high-rise fire scenarios.
High-Rise Fire Training Using Persistent Smoke
The exercise involved pre-site planning visits and coordination between multiple teams. On the day of the simulation, two Concept Smoke Systems operatives deployed six ViCount smoke generators in strategic locations throughout the building’s rooftop.
The ViCount smoke generator was specifically chosen for its high output capacity, extremely persistent smoke, and safe, oil-based composition. Unlike traditional water-based fog systems, the ViCount produces a dense, slow-dissipating artificial smoke ideal for simulating real fire conditions in large, ventilated environments such as skyscraper rooftops and mechanical plant rooms.
Why Smoke Training in Skyscrapers Matters
High-rise buildings pose unique challenges during fire incidents — from vertical smoke movement and rooftop evacuations to pressurised stairwells and wind loading at altitude. Controlled smoke training exercises allow fire services and building management teams to:
- Observe smoke travel patterns in a real-world environment
- Test ventilation systems, compartmentation, and pressure differentials
- Improve coordination between emergency responders
- Enhance rooftop evacuation and access procedures
- Evaluate how smoke behaves around HVAC systems and service risers
Speaking about the exercise, a spokesperson for Concept Smoke Systems said:
This kind of simulation enables building operators and fire crews to train under realistic conditions without the risks of live fire. It’s about pushing safety standards higher — especially in complex, high-rise environments.
A Model for Future Skyscraper Safety
The successful simulation at 1 Churchill Place highlights how modern smoke technology can support large-scale fire preparedness strategies. With the support of high-performance systems like the ViCount, training scenarios can now be tailored to mirror previous incidents and explore “what if” scenarios — all without compromising safety.
As London and other global cities continue to grow vertically, exercises like this will become increasingly critical to ensure high-rise building safety is not just reactive, but proactive and informed.
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