The four public protection procedures, explained for small venues
For standard-tier premises (200 to 799 people), Martyn’s Law asks for procedures that are reasonably practicable for your premises. They are about what people do, not about buying equipment. There are four.
1. Evacuation
Getting people out when the threat is inside the building or close to it, and it is safe to leave.
Questions to answer:
- Which exits can be used, and which might be unsafe depending on where the threat is?
- Where is the assembly point? Pick a second one in case the first is near the threat. Keep both away from glass and parked vehicles.
- Who decides to evacuate, and who decides when the most senior person is absent?
- How are staff and visitors told to leave? A fire alarm may send people towards the threat, so agree another signal.
- Who needs help to leave, and who helps them?
2. Invacuation
Bringing people inside, or moving them to a safer part of the building, when the threat is outside.
- Which rooms are safer: solid walls, few windows, away from the main entrance, with a second way out?
- Who decides, and how are people moved calmly?
- How do you keep them informed while they wait?
3. Lockdown
Stopping people getting in — or moving towards a threat — by securing the premises.
- List every door, gate and shutter, and who secures each one.
- How are they locked: keys, bolts, shutters? Where are the keys?
- Lockdown must never trap people inside with a threat. The person in charge chooses between lockdown and evacuation.
4. Communication
Telling staff and everyone on the premises what is happening and what to do.
- How are staff alerted quickly: radios, a phone group, a code phrase?
- How are visitors told: PA system, staff in each room?
- Who calls 999, and who meets the police when they arrive?
Briefing staff
Make sure everyone on duty knows the plan and the UK public advice, RUN, HIDE, TELL: escape if you can; if you cannot, hide, lock yourself in and silence your phone; tell the police when it is safe. The free ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) e-learning on ProtectUK is a good starting point for staff and volunteers.
Keep records and review
Record who has been briefed and when you practised. Review the procedures at least once a year, and after any incident, change of layout or new official guidance.
Our procedures builder walks you through each question and prints a document and a one-page staff briefing card. Your answers stay in your browser.
Frequently asked questions
Do the procedures have to be written down?
For the standard tier the duty is to have procedures in place; writing them down is the easiest way to show what they are, brief staff and review them. Enhanced-tier premises must document them for the SIA.
How often should we practise?
The law does not set a number. Many venues brief staff at induction and run a short exercise once or twice a year, and after any change to the building or how it is used.
Sources
ohdock provides software tools and general information, not legal advice. Check the official texts, or ask a qualified adviser, for your situation.