Martyn's Law, officially known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, is set to significantly impact fire safety compliance requirements for UK buildings. This legislation mandates that responsible persons take reasonable and proportionate steps to mitigate the risk of terrorist attacks, affecting various sectors including retail, hospitality, education, healthcare, and more.
Understanding Martyn's Law
Martyn's Law categorises premises into two tiers: Standard and Enhanced. The Standard Tier applies to premises where 200 to 799 people may reasonably be present, focusing on evacuation plans, staff training, and communication protocols. The Enhanced Tier applies to venues with 800 or more people, requiring formal risk assessments, documented security plans, and access control measures. Non-compliance can result in fines up to £18 million or 5% of worldwide revenue, whichever is greater.
Integration with Fire Safety Protocols
For facilities managers and fire safety professionals, Martyn's Law presents an opportunity to integrate terrorism preparedness with existing fire safety protocols. Many sites already conduct regular fire risk assessments, compartmentation surveys, and maintain planned maintenance programmes. These existing frameworks can serve as a foundation for the new security requirements, helping to avoid conflicting procedures and streamline compliance efforts.
Regulatory Context in the UK
Martyn's Law aligns with existing UK legislation such as the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which requires responsible persons to ensure fire safety measures are in place. The Security Industry Authority (SIA) will oversee compliance, similar to how fire safety is regulated by local fire and rescue authorities. This dual oversight ensures that both fire and security risks are managed comprehensively.
Who is Affected?
The law affects a wide range of sectors, including retail, hospitality, education, healthcare, entertainment, sports venues, places of worship, and large events. Any venue that meets the occupancy thresholds specified in the law must comply. This includes not only large venues but also smaller businesses and organisations that may not have previously considered terrorism risk as part of their safety protocols.
What Happens Next?
With the April 2027 deadline for compliance approaching, organisations must begin preparations now. The Security Industry Authority (SIA) will start inspections post-deadline, and those who have not prepared may face significant financial penalties or operational restrictions. Early adoption of compliance measures will not only mitigate these risks but also enhance overall safety and security.
Practical Takeaways
Confirm whether your premises fall within the scope of the law and identify the applicable tier.
Conduct a terrorism risk assessment focusing on entry points, crowd areas, and existing security measures.
Review and test procedures for evacuation, lockdown, and incident communication.
Refresh staff training on recognising suspicious behaviour and responding appropriately.
Document every assessment and review to build a clear audit trail.
Sources
Fire Safety & Security Magazine
