5 things every Responsible Person should be able to answer
If you can answer these five without looking anything up, you are further along than most. If you cannot, each one takes less time to fix than you think.
The five questions
How many people could be here at once?
Including staff, at the busiest times. This one number decides whether Martyn's Law applies to you and at which tier — and most people guess it.
Who decides to evacuate or lock down?
By name of role, not name of person. And who decides when they are not on shift.
Where do people go if outside is worse?
The safer area, how many it holds, and how people get there from wherever they happen to be.
How does everyone find out?
Staff in the cellar, contractors on the roof, customers in the garden, and the venue next door.
When did you last tell the staff?
A plan nobody has been briefed on is a document about a plan. Who was told, and when?
Not sure where you stand?
Two questions and you will know your likely tier, with the reasoning.
Check Your ReadinessThe quick guide
Capacity is the starting point, not the whole answer.
Generally outside
Other criteria and exceptions still apply — and many prepare anyway, because it is good practice.
Enhanced Tier
Procedures, plus a fuller consideration of protective measures.
Learn moreException worth knowing: qualifying places of worship and premises used for childcare or education stay in the Standard Tier however many people are present.
What should a Protective Response Plan actually contain?
Evacuation
Routes, assembly point, who decides, who sweeps, how you know everyone is out.
Invacuation
The safer area, how many it holds, how people get there, how long you could hold it.
Lockdown
Which doors, who authorises, what people do where they are, and how it ends.
Communication
Staff, visitors, contractors, neighbours and responders — who says what, and how.
Learn more
The Martyn's Law Workbook turns all of the above into a guided process, working plans and a record you can actually show.
- Standard Tier — £55 per premises, per year
- Enhanced Tier — £250 per premises, per year