Martyn’s Law for village halls and community buildings

A village hall that can hold 200 or more people is likely to be in the standard tier of Martyn’s Law. The duties are manageable for a volunteer committee if you split them up and plan for hirers.

5 minute read · Facts last checked 6 November 2026

Who is responsible

Usually the body that controls the building: the trustees or management committee, a parish council or a church. When the hall is hired out, the hirer runs their event, but the hall still needs procedures and should brief hirers on them.

A plan for the committee

Agree your numberUse the safe occupancy from your fire risk assessment.
Write the four proceduresEvacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication, for your building.
Brief key-holders and volunteersAnyone who opens up or runs events should know their part.
Brief every hirerGive hirers a one-page safety sheet with exits, meeting points and what to do, and keep a note that you did.
Notify the SIAOnce the portal opens, the responsible body notifies once for the hall.

Keeping it simple

Put the procedures and the hirer sheet in the booking pack and on the noticeboard. Review them once a year at the AGM, and after any change to the building.

Questions people ask

Are hirers responsible instead of the hall?

The hall keeps its own duties for the premises. Hirers should be briefed and follow the hall’s procedures during their event.

Do volunteers need formal training?

The standard tier is about procedures that people know and can follow. A short briefing and a walk-through is a sensible way to make sure they do.

Is there a discount for community halls?

Smallprint gives 25% off to registered charities, CICs and parish councils.

Sources

This guide is general information to help you prepare. It is not legal advice.