Fire safety for village halls and community buildings

Village halls and community buildings are covered by the Fire Safety Order. For most halls, the management committee or trustees are the responsible person.

Who is responsible?

The responsible person is whoever has control of the building. For a village hall that is usually the management committee or trustees, even when everyone is a volunteer. Hirers also have a part to play while they are using the hall, so they need to know your fire procedures.

What an assessment looks at in a hall

• The kitchen, especially when hirers cook for events
• Heaters, electrical equipment and extension leads
• Storage: stacked chairs, stage props, decorations and anything flammable
• Escape routes and exit doors, which must be unlocked and clear whenever the hall is in use
• A safe maximum number of people for events
• Alarms, emergency lighting and extinguishers, and their servicing
• How disabled or older visitors would be helped out

Briefing your hirers

Your hire agreement should include fire safety instructions, and someone should walk new hirers through them:

• Where the exits and the assembly point are
• How to raise the alarm and call 999, with the hall’s full address
• The maximum number of people allowed
• Rules on candles, cooking and decorations
• Keeping exits and corridors clear throughout the event

Record and review

Since October 2023 the full fire risk assessment must be recorded, along with who carried it out. Review it at least once a year and after any change, such as a new kitchen, an extension or a new regular use.

Village hall fire safety checklist

• Fire risk assessment recorded in full, with a review date
• Fire procedures included in every hire agreement
• Exit doors unlocked and clear before every event
• Maximum occupancy displayed
• Alarm and emergency lighting tested and logged
• Extinguishers serviced within the last year
• Storage tidy and away from escape routes and heaters
• Kitchen rules for hirers on display

Fire safety talks for your community

I give fire safety awareness talks to community groups and committees. One recent review: “The presentation was very interesting and informative.” Les Sharman, March 2026.