Section 15 - Fire safety
In this section, provide a summary of the fire safety precautions and firefighting equipment that will be in place.
You must include the risk of fire in your risk assessment, which considers the following:
- Identify fire hazards e.g. fuel used for cooking (LPG), BBQs, stored fuel, oxygen tanks, drinks propellants, generators, fireworks, bonfires, and accumulations of waste and overflowing bins which could act as ignition sources.
- Identify who will be at risk e.g. staff, contractors, public, existing businesses.
- Outline how you will remove or reduce the fire hazards.
- Consider how you will use detection or warning systems, fire-fighting equipment e.g. fire extinguishers.
- Have in place adequate and properly maintained escape routes, fire exits that are clearly signposted.
- Record this risk assessment.
- Summarise how this will tie in with your emergency response procedures.
- Detail how you will review these matters at the start of the event and ensure they are properly implemented.
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has put together the following template forms to help you assess the fire risk.
- Food concessions – fire risk assessment (NFCC)
- Traders and market stalls – fire risk assessment (NFCC)
- Temporary structures – fire risk assessment (NFCC)
- Event organiser's checklist (NFCC)
Government guidance about completing a fire safety risk assessment for people responsible for open-air events and venues.
The Purple Guide to Health, Safety and Welfare at Music and Other Events is also a useful reference guide. This does cost £25 to subscribe annually, but is maintained with regular updates and is produced by The Events Industry Forum in consultation with the events industry and is supported by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE). Its aim is to help those event organisers who are dutyholders to manage health and safety, particularly at large-scale music and similar events.
Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Services
We recommend that you liaise with Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Services, who may be able to review and comment on your risk assessment and visit the site.
To contact Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Services, call 0300 330 1000 or email contact@staffordshirefire.gov.uk