Most village halls sit under 200. Larger halls, and halls that host dances, markets and shows, should check.
A village or community hall is in the standard tier if it is reasonable to expect 200 to 799 people at once. The management committee or trustees are usually the responsible person, and procedures need to work when the hall is let to hirers who do not know the building.
The four procedures are explained on the standard tier page, tiers on which tier am I in, and there is a checklist and a worked example.
Before you pay anyone: the Home Office says premises do not need to buy consultancy to meet the standard tier, and its guidance, the SIA’s guidance and the ProtectUK training are free. Neither the Home Office nor the SIA endorses any provider, including us. The legal responsibility stays with the person responsible for the premises; we help with the work, we do not take the duty off you.
Evacuation: which exits lead away from the car park and road.
Invacuation: the kitchen, committee room or a room without large windows.
Lockdown: main doors and fire-exit security, without blocking escape in a fire.
Communication: what the hirer says, and a one-page card by the main door.
Send the venue type, the most people you would expect in at once, and how many sites you run. We will tell you which tier you look to be in and whether the free route is enough before quoting anything.
Usually the person or body in control of the premises, such as the trustees or management committee, not the hirer. Hirers should be briefed on the procedures.