Home / Who we help / Places of worship and community buildings
Gurdwaras, mosques, mandirs, churches and community centres
Fire risk assessments for places of worship and community buildings
We assess buildings used for regular services, large gatherings and community activities. Our assessments consider occupancy, escape routes, cooking facilities, volunteers and shared use, with practical recommendations for the people managing the building.
Since 1999
Fire safety across the East Midlands
58
places of worship and community buildings we work with
FPA & IFSM
Fire Protection Association
and Institute of Fire Safety Managers
What we assess in places of worship and community buildings
We consider the building on an ordinary day and when it is at its busiest, including the different people and groups who use it.
Busy services and large gatherings
Festivals, weddings, funerals and community events can bring far more people than a normal service. We consider attendance, exit capacity, escape routes and arrangements for managing a crowded building.
Volunteers and stewards
The people opening the building or helping at an event may change from week to week. We look at who raises the alarm, guides people out and takes responsibility when the usual organiser is absent.
Community kitchens and gas
Large-scale cooking, gas burners, cylinders and catering equipment bring particular hazards. We consider their use, storage, ventilation and arrangements for checking equipment after an event.
Candles, diyas and decorations
We assess candles, diyas, incense, decorative lighting and temporary displays in the places they are used, including nearby combustible materials and the precautions taken during worship and festivals.
Hall hire and children's activities
Community groups, language classes, playgroups and private events may use the building outside normal times. We consider their fire arrangements and identify responsibilities that need clarifying with organisers or hirers.
Older buildings and escape routes
Converted premises and older buildings may have unusual layouts, narrow stairs or gaps in fire separation. We review exits and fire doors, including whether furniture, storage or temporary event layouts obstruct escape.
Some buildings need a different approach
Historic buildings and buildings shared with other users raise questions that a standard assessment can miss, so we deal with them directly.
Listed buildings
Fire safety improvements have to be balanced against protecting the historic features that make the building special. Replacing original doors, altering walls or fitting new equipment may need listed building consent.
We recommend measures that suit the building, such as upgrading existing doors instead of replacing them where that is possible, and we flag where you need to speak to the local authority's conservation officer before work starts.
Buildings shared with other users
Many places of worship let out part of their space, either on a regular basis (a nursery, an office, a charity) or for one-off hire. Each user can bring different hours, numbers of people and risks, and escape routes, alarms and fire doors are often shared.
We assess the building as a whole, set out who is responsible for which areas, and identify where arrangements need to be agreed and co-ordinated between you and the people who use the building.
What you receive
A fire risk assessment for your building and an action plan your committee can divide up and work through.
The report is designed to provide a clear record of findings and recommendations, which you can share with your trustees, insurer, the council or the fire and rescue service.
Quoted to the size and use of your building.
Common questions
Who is responsible for fire safety: the trustees, the committee or the faith leader?
There isn’t always one simple answer. Duties depend on who controls the building and the activities taking place. That could involve the trustees, a management committee, a landlord or others. We help identify where responsibilities need to be clarified, so important jobs don’t fall between the gaps. Having one coordinator helps, but it doesn’t remove anyone’s legal duties.
We hire out our hall. Who is responsible for fire safety during a booking?
Both parties may have responsibilities. It depends on who controls the building, escape routes and activities during the booking. We look at how the hall is used and highlight what needs to be agreed with hirers, such as information about exits and alarms and who is responsible on the day.
Do we need a new assessment for every festival or large gathering?
Usually not. We consider the busy occasions you normally hold, such as festivals, weddings, funerals and community events, when assessing the building. If a new event significantly changes the numbers, layout or activities, the assessment may need to be reviewed before it takes place.
The fire and rescue service has written to us. Can you help?
Yes. If you’ve received a letter or notice, send it to us when you enquire. We can look at the issues raised, explain what they mean for your building and help you prioritise the work. If we carry out an assessment, we make a point of recording the precautions and good practices already in place, not just the gaps. We want the fire and rescue service to see a fair picture of your building and the action you’re taking. You can share the report alongside records of completed work.
Will the visit interrupt prayers or services?
We’ll arrange the visit around prayer times and regular services wherever possible, and respect the customs of the building. We’ll need access to the relevant areas and someone who can explain how the building is used on both ordinary and busy days.
How often should our fire risk assessment be reviewed?
It needs regular review, and an earlier review may be needed if the building or its use changes significantly. New hall users, a different layout, building work or much larger events could all affect the existing arrangements. We’ll recommend a review date in the report and send a reminder when it’s due.
Are follow-up visits included?
A follow-up visit isn’t usually included. It’s useful to keep evidence of completed actions, such as dated photos, invoices or logbook entries, alongside your report. If you’d like us to come back and update the assessment after work has been carried out, we can quote for that separately.
Your assessment is just the starting point
Once we understand your building and how it’s used, we can help with training for stewards and volunteers, written fire safety policies and routine servicing. You deal with the same team, and we use what we’ve learned about your building rather than starting from scratch each time.
Based on your building
Training for stewards and volunteers
Fire marshal training for stewards and the people who lead on busy days, using your own exits, alarm panel, kitchen and arrangements for festival days. They can talk through what they’d actually need to do in an emergency.
Tailored to your building
Fire safety policies and evacuation plans
Written policies and evacuation arrangements tailored to your building and how you use it, including busy days and festivals.
Regular checks and servicing
Routine testing, inspections and servicing
Fire extinguishers, including the right types for your kitchen, emergency lighting, PAT testing and fire door inspections. We keep track of the services we provide and remind you when they’re due. If we find a defect that needs repair, we’ll explain what needs attention.
We don’t carry out repairs: where we find defects, we record them with recommendations and can point you to a qualified contractor.
Ask about training and servicingNot sure what you need? Talk to us.
Phone: 07859 741 285
WhatsApp: Message us
Email: info@acefiremidlandsltd.com
We cover Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire. If you are elsewhere in the Midlands, get in touch too and we should be able to still help.
We reply within one working day.