Fire safety at events is governed primarily by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) in England and Wales. As the "responsible person" for your event, which in most cases means the event organiser or the person with overall control of the premises, you have a legal duty to carry out a fire risk assessment and implement appropriate fire safety measures. Failure to comply can result in enforcement action, and in the most serious cases, prosecution and imprisonment.
Disclaimer: This guide covers fire safety regulations in England and Wales. Scotland is covered by the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006, which have similar but not identical requirements. Northern Ireland has the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006. Always consult your local fire and rescue service and seek professional advice for your specific event.
The fire risk assessment
The FSO requires the responsible person to carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment. For events, this should be event-specific and should cover:
- Identifying fire hazards -- sources of ignition (cooking equipment, electrical installations, pyrotechnics, smoking areas, candles), sources of fuel (decorations, temporary structures, stored materials, LPG cylinders), and sources of oxygen (natural ventilation, air conditioning, mechanical systems).
- Identifying people at risk -- attendees, staff, contractors, performers, and anyone else on the premises, with particular attention to people who may be more vulnerable, such as those with disabilities, children, or people who are intoxicated.
- Evaluating, removing, or reducing the risks -- implementing control measures to eliminate hazards where possible and reduce risks where elimination is not practicable.
- Recording your findings -- if you employ five or more people, you must record the significant findings of your fire risk assessment. Even if you employ fewer than five, recording your assessment is strongly advisable as evidence of compliance.
- Reviewing and updating -- the assessment must be kept under review and updated if circumstances change.
Means of escape
Ensuring that everyone can evacuate the premises safely in the event of a fire is the most critical aspect of fire safety. Your means of escape must be:
- Adequate for the number of people -- the number and width of exits must be sufficient for the maximum occupancy. The calculation depends on the type of premises and the fire risk. As a general guide, each exit should be at least 1.05 metres wide, and the total exit width should be sufficient to allow the premises to be evacuated within a reasonable time.
- Clearly signed -- emergency exit signs must comply with the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996. Signs must be visible even if the main lighting fails, which usually means they must be illuminated or photoluminescent.
- Unobstructed at all times -- exits and escape routes must never be blocked, locked, or obstructed. This is one of the most common fire safety failings at events.
- Known to all staff -- every person working at the event must know the escape routes, the location of fire extinguishers, and the assembly point.
Fire safety in temporary structures
Marquees, tents, and other temporary structures present specific fire risks. Key considerations include:
- Fabric fire resistance -- temporary structures should be constructed from materials that meet the relevant British Standards for fire resistance (typically BS 7837 for tent fabrics). Request test certificates from your marquee supplier.
- Internal lining -- if the structure is lined with fabric, this must also be fire resistant. Some decorative materials, such as voile and chiffon, are highly flammable and should not be used unless treated with a fire-retardant spray.
- Heating -- if heating is required, avoid naked flame heaters inside temporary structures. Electric or hot air blowers are safer alternatives. If LPG heaters are used, they must be properly installed with adequate ventilation and kept away from exits and flammable materials.
- Exits -- temporary structures must have an adequate number of exits, clearly marked and unobstructed. The capacity of the structure determines the number and width of exits required.
Fire marshals and fire wardens
For events with more than a handful of attendees, you should appoint fire marshals or fire wardens. Their role is to assist with evacuation in the event of a fire, ensure that escape routes remain clear during the event, and monitor for fire hazards. Fire marshals should receive appropriate training, wear identifiable clothing (typically a high-visibility tabard), and know the location of all fire exits, extinguishers, and assembly points.
The number of fire marshals depends on the size and layout of your event. As a rough guide, one fire marshal per 50 to 100 attendees is a starting point, but complex layouts or higher-risk events may require more. Consult your fire risk assessment and, if appropriate, your local fire and rescue service.
Fire extinguishers and firefighting equipment
You must provide appropriate firefighting equipment based on your fire risk assessment. For most events, this means fire extinguishers positioned at exits and near identified fire hazards. The type of extinguisher must match the hazard: water or foam for general combustible materials, CO2 or dry powder for electrical fires, and wet chemical for cooking oil fires.
Staff should be trained in the use of fire extinguishers, but only if it is safe to do so. The priority is always evacuation. Firefighting should only be attempted on small fires where there is no risk to the person using the extinguisher and where a clear escape route is available.
Working with the fire and rescue service
For larger events, engage with your local fire and rescue service early in the planning process. Many fire services offer free advice and pre-event inspections for larger events. They may also attend through the Safety Advisory Group. Their input on your fire risk assessment, means of escape calculations, and temporary structure arrangements can be invaluable.
Fire officers have powers under the FSO to inspect premises, issue enforcement notices, and prosecute. An alterations notice can require you to notify the fire authority before making changes to the premises. A prohibition notice can close your event immediately if there is a serious risk to life from fire. Compliance with fire safety law is not negotiable.
Special fire risks at events
Certain event activities carry elevated fire risks that require specific precautions: pyrotechnics and fireworks (requiring competent operators and appropriate separation distances), cooking with open flames or hot oil, the use of special effects such as flame bars or fire performers, and the storage of flammable materials including LPG, generator fuel, and stage paints.
For each of these, your fire risk assessment should identify the specific hazard, the people at risk, and the control measures in place. For outdoor events, wind conditions can dramatically increase fire spread, and dry ground conditions in summer months add further risk.
Fire safety is not a box-ticking exercise. A fire at an event can cause devastating injuries and loss of life. Take it seriously, plan thoroughly, and do not hesitate to seek professional advice when you need it. Investing in fire safety is investing in the safety of every person at your event.
