Coopers Fire pioneered modern fire protection systems with our first – and the world’s first – automatic smoke curtain. The history of Coopers as a custom curtain and blind manufacturer stretches far back to 1874, but it’s the modern fire barrier curtain that has made us a global name. Here’s how five generations of knowledge built the company we are today.
By the time Andrew Cooper had begun working at the family business, the company still specialised in custom curtains and blinds for architectural applications – and fire curtains weren’t part of the business plan.
At this point in history, compartmentation was by no means a new idea. Fire safety still had a very long way to go, though – and many legacy buildings still suffered with poor emergency planning, some with no protected means of escape or contingencies in place.
Fire regulations and public safety were growing concerns, as history had taught powerful and tragic lessons in failing to create fire-safe environments. And architects were facing new challenges with designing beautiful, functional spaces that could still be compartmentalised – without compromising their art.
Then, in the mid-1970s, Cooper was challenged by a pioneering architect to find a way to safely control hot smoke without compromising the vision for the building.
He had an idea; a way of applying the engineering for mechanically-controlled curtains to a suitable material that could seal off an area from hot smoke.
With five generations of family engineering knowledge handed down to him, Andrew Cooper developed the first automatic smoke curtain – the patented Gravity Fail Safe System. Even today, this remains the benchmark system used around the world.
From this chance venture into new territory, Andrew Cooper had unlocked an entire industry of fire safety equipment. From this start, engineers would go on to pioneer the development of the fire barrier curtain in ever more compact and reliable forms, including concertina fire curtains for the most demanding architectural applications.
Coopers Fire continues to innovate to this day – influencing how fire curtains are made, developing near-invisible fire curtains for historic and heritage buildings as well as creating custom solutions for a variety of industries.
Fire protection for heritage buildings presents an enormous challenge; to maintain the structure and aesthetic quality of a landmark, while ensuring fire safety compliance.
Some of our most memorable work has involved icons of the architectural world both new and old. See some of our featured case studies:
Protecting buildings and those in them from fire and smoke is our mission at Coopers Fire.
We design and manufacture life-saving fire protection for tall buildings, heritage buildings and uncompromising open-plan designs – always maintaining the highest standards of safety.
Our expertise has led us to become a world leader in fire safety. For more information on our non-intrusive, life-saving fire and smoke protection, or our educational training courses, call us on 02392 454 405 or email info@coopersfire.com.
