Sky Garden flourishes with FP cables in London
Fire protection within the dramatic Sky Garden, topping the Walkie Talkie building, is assured by 2,000 metres of Prysmian FP PLUS fire resistant cable.
Historical Project Reference
Published: May 2014
This article shows the involvement of Prysmian in the construction of the Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street ("The Walkie Talkie") in London during the project's development phase. The project incorporated approximately 2,000 meters of Prysmian FP PLUS ‘enhanced’ fire resistant cable to support critical life safety systems within the building.
Project Summary
During the construction of the Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street in London, approximately 2,000 metres of Prysmian FP PLUS fire resistant cable was installed to support essential life safety systems, including emergency lighting and smoke exhaust ventilation. This project forms part of the long-standing contribution to fire protection within landmark commercial buildings, across the UK, made by Prysmian.
Fire protection within the dramatic Sky Garden, topping the Walkie Talkie building, is assured by 2,000 metres of Prysmian FP PLUS ‘enhanced’ fire resistant cable.
The Sky Garden is a three-storey high leisure and exhibition space situated at the top of the "The Walkie Talkie" building. Its façade is created from a 980 tonne complex steel frame with integrated photovoltaic cells. Prysmian FP PLUS is installed in the essential safety systems including emergency lighting and smoke exhaust ventilation systems, all of which are integrated within the façade structure.
Josef Gartner GmbH, the trade contractor responsible for the project's steel and cladding work, installed the cable as part of the wider construction programme. At the time of the project, Assistant Project Manager Adam Sherburn commented:
“Prysmian was specified by the project engineers for its technical performance. It is an attractive option for us as its superior dressable construction makes it easy to work with while it is also a cost effective solution.”
Prysmian FP is the original, easy to install and fully compliant fire resistant cable range, approved by engineers, installers and regulators. In the event of fire, Prysmian’s ‘enhanced’ FP PLUS retains vital circuit integrity allowing the occupants to evacuate safely and helping fire fighters take control.
Simon Hopkins, who was FP Product Manager UK at the time of the project, recently commented:
"The Sky Garden project is a reminder that the fundamentals of fire safety do not change. Landmark buildings demand reliable life-safety systems, and that starts with specifying products that have been proven to perform when it matters most. More than a decade after completion, 20 Fenchurch Street remains one of London's most recognisable commercial developments. The project demonstrated the importance of combining robust fire performance with practical installation considerations, helping to ensure that critical systems could be installed efficiently without compromising safety.
FP PLUS was selected because it met the demanding requirements of the project, and it remains an excellent example of how high-quality fire-resistant cable contributes to the long-term protection of people, property and business continuity."
Designed by world-renowned architect Rafael Viñoly, 20 Fenchurch Street has since become one of London's most recognisable landmarks. The development includes office spaces, public viewing areas, restaurants and the Sky Garden itself, which offers panoramic views across the capital.
Developed by a joint venture partnership between two of the UK’s leading property companies in Canary Wharf Group and Land Securities, 20 Fenchurch Street provides approximately 680,000 square feet of office space alongside its public amenities.
Update (2026)
20 Fenchurch Street and the Sky Garden were completed in 2014. This article is retained as a historical project reference describing the use of Prysmian FP PLUS ‘enhanced’ fire resistant cable during the building's construction. Job titles referenced in project quotations reflect the individuals' roles at the time of publication and may have changed since the article was originally published. Product specifications, standards and certifications may have evolved since publication. Readers should refer to the latest Prysmian product documentation for current technical information.