Fire Safety Without Compromise: Future-Proofing Harrods’ Rooftop Event Space

As rooftop spaces become increasingly popular across London, fire performance has moved from a regulatory consideration to a fundamental design driver. Nowhere is this more evident than in ultra-luxury developments, where safety must be achieved without visual compromise. The transformation of Harrods’ former helideck into a rooftop event space demonstrates how fire-compliant systems can support architectural ambition while meeting the highest standards of safety and performance.

In a post-Grenfell construction landscape, fire classification is no longer optional or secondary. For prominent buildings with public access, particularly those hosting large numbers of people, compliance must be absolute. This project shows how a fully Class A fire-rated decking system can be integrated seamlessly into a premium environment.

Why Fire Performance Was Critical

Harrods is one of the most recognisable buildings in the world, welcoming millions of visitors each year. Any rooftop development within such a setting carries significant responsibility. The brief for the rooftop event space required a fully compliant, Class A fire-rated decking solution that could support high footfall while aligning with the heritage architecture of the building and a newly constructed internal pavilion.

Fire safety could not be treated as a hidden technical layer. It needed to be embedded into the design from the outset, ensuring that every component of the external deck met current and future regulatory expectations.

Understanding Class A Fire Ratings

A Class A fire rating represents the highest level of fire performance under European classification standards. Materials achieving this rating contribute minimal fuel to a fire and do not promote flame spread. For rooftop environments, particularly those above occupied spaces, this level of performance is essential.

In this project, compliance extended beyond the surface finish. The entire system, including the substructure, pedestals and fixing methods, needed to work together to deliver a complete Class A solution.

Wallbarn supplied the fire-rated substructure, ensuring that the supporting framework met the same stringent standards as the decking boards above it. This holistic approach eliminates weak points that can arise when compliant surfaces are paired with non-compliant support systems.

A System-Led Approach to Fire Safety

One of the key strengths of the Harrods rooftop solution is that fire performance was achieved through system design rather than compromise. Wallbarn’s aluminium I-Plus rail system offers inherent fire resistance, strength and dimensional stability, making it ideally suited to high-risk environments.

The MetalPad Ex pedestals provided precise height adjustment while maintaining full fire compliance. This allowed the design team and installers to manage varying floor heights of up to 400mm without introducing combustible materials or bespoke site solutions that could compromise safety.

Exadeck porcelain decking boards, supplied by Fire Deck, completed the system. Porcelain is non-combustible by nature, offering excellent fire performance alongside durability and aesthetic appeal. The boards were secured using the Class A W Clip fixing system, ensuring that even the fixing method supported the overall fire classification.

Designing for High Occupancy and Public Use

Rooftop event spaces present unique fire safety challenges. High occupancy levels, temporary furniture arrangements and increased foot traffic all need to be considered. In addition, access routes and escape paths must remain clear and predictable.

The Harrods rooftop deck was designed to be stable, silent and resistant to movement, even under heavy use. A secure, rigid substructure ensures that boards do not shift or lift, reducing trip hazards and maintaining consistent surface performance over time.

The system’s resilience to weather also plays a role in safety. Surfaces that remain stable and quiet during rainfall reduce the risk of slips and distractions, contributing to a safer environment for guests and staff alike.

Fire Safety That Enhances Longevity

Fire compliance is not only about meeting regulations at the point of handover. It is about future-proofing buildings against evolving standards and increased scrutiny. By selecting a fully Class A system, Harrods has invested in a rooftop solution that is robust, durable and aligned with long-term safety expectations.

Exadeck’s scratch and stain resistance ensures that the surface remains in good condition despite heavy use, reducing the need for early replacement or remedial work. This durability supports the overall fire strategy by maintaining the integrity of the system over time.

For building owners and operators, this translates into reduced risk, lower maintenance demands and greater confidence in the safety of the space.

A Benchmark for Luxury Rooftop Design

The completed rooftop event space sets a benchmark for how fire safety can be integrated into luxury design without visual compromise. The deck delivers the warmth and refinement expected of a Harrods environment while meeting the highest fire performance standards available.

This project demonstrates that fire compliance does not need to limit creativity. With the right systems in place, it becomes an enabler, allowing designers, contractors and clients to pursue ambitious rooftop schemes with confidence.

Wallbarn’s Role in Compliant Rooftop Solutions

For Wallbarn, the Harrods rooftop is a clear example of how Class A fire-rated substructures can support some of the most demanding architectural projects in the UK. By working collaboratively with Fire Deck, Kendall Kingscott Ltd and TC&D Construction, Wallbarn helped deliver a solution that balances safety, performance and luxury at the highest level.

As regulations continue to evolve and expectations rise, system-led fire compliance will become the standard rather than the exception. Projects like this show what is possible when fire safety is treated not as a constraint, but as a core design principle.

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