Fire Risk Assessments for Assembly & Entertainment Venues | South West.
Do I need a fire risk assessment for my facility?
Yes, it is a legal requirement to have a fire risk assessment for your property in England. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, owners and operators of business properties are legally responsible for ensuring the safety of their visitors from the risk of fire.
This includes carrying out a fire risk assessment and implementing appropriate fire safety measures, such as installing smoke alarms and providing clear evacuation routes. Failure to comply with fire safety regulations can result in fines, legal action, and even imprisonment in serious cases.
Therefore, it is crucial to have a fire risk assessment carried out by a qualified specialist to ensure that your property is fully compliant with all relevant safety regulations.
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Protecting People and Properties Through Expert Fire Risk Assessments.
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Public houses (pubs)
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Bars and nightclubs
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Restaurants with entertainment
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Social and members' clubs
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Village halls and community centres
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Churches, mosques, temples and other places of worship
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Theatres and cinemas
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Concert and live music venues
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Conference and exhibition centres
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Sports halls, leisure centres and stadiums
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Wedding venues and function suites
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Museums and galleries
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Indoor play centres and amusement venues
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Marquees, tents and temporary event structures
Common Fire Risks in Places of Assembly.
Places of assembly, including theatres, auditoriums, conference centres, village halls, churches, sports venues and entertainment spaces, can present a range of fire safety challenges due to high occupancy levels and varied activities.
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Common fire risks include:
Overcrowding – Excessive occupancy can impede evacuation and increase the likelihood of injury during an emergency.​
Combustible Materials – Curtains, scenery, decorations, furnishings and upholstered seating may contribute to rapid fire growth and smoke production.
Electrical Hazards – Faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, damaged equipment and the improper use of temporary electrical installations can increase the risk of fire.
Cooking Activities – Kitchens, bars and concession areas containing cooking appliances present an increased fire risk, particularly where extraction systems are poorly maintained.
Heating Equipment – Portable heaters, fixed heating systems and associated fuel sources may ignite nearby combustible materials if not adequately controlled and maintained.
Smoking Materials – Where smoking or vaping is permitted, the careless disposal of cigarettes, matches or smoking materials can result in fire.
Obstructed Escape Routes – Blocked, locked or poorly signed escape routes and exits can significantly delay evacuation.
Poor Storage Practices – The accumulation or inappropriate storage of combustible materials, waste or flammable liquids can increase the severity of a fire.
Special Effects and Performances – Pyrotechnics, smoke machines, stage lighting and other special effects can introduce additional fire hazards if not properly managed.
Inadequate Fire Protection Measures – Insufficient fire detection and alarm systems, emergency lighting, firefighting equipment or staff training can compromise the effectiveness of emergency response procedures.
Regular fire risk assessments, effective management procedures and staff training are essential to ensure the safety of occupants and compliance with fire safety legislation.
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Emergency Plan
As an employer, owner or occupier of commercial premises there is a lawful obligation to make a detailed fire emergency plan.
A simple emergency plan should include the following:
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A suitable fire detection system.
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A process for identifying false alarms.
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A clear understanding of who calls 999.
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All escape routes must be unobstructed, planned out and clearly marked.
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Emergency doors that open easily and emergency lighting if required.
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Employee training so they know escape routes and a safe meeting point.
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Always consider people who can’t escape quickly in a fire like wheelchair users.
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Find guidance for people with disabilities here: Fire Safety Risk Assessment: Means of Escape for Disabled People.
The Fire risk assessment process
1.Quotation
2. Site Visit
3.Report Created
4.Handover
What are your Legal Obligations?
The main fire safety law, restaurants must comply with, is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO). Under the FSO, your premises must reach the required standard and all employees are provided with adequate fire safety training.
Adequate fire safety training varies from business to business but generally includes:
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General fire awareness induction.
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Periodic refresher or extra training where the risk level increases as a result of business changes.
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Training to support employees meeting their fire safety duties.
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Skill-building such as, FRAs or using fire extinguishers.
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If you are responsible for the commercial premises, carrying out an Fire risk assessment and creating an emergency plan are both legal requirements.
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This short guide is intended to assist ‘persons’ with duties under fire safety legislation in England
to comply with the legislation.
Its purpose is to explain the duties in simple, non-legal language.
As such, it is not a guide to completing a fire risk assessment
