HallGuard is free for the committees, clerks and keyholders who run a hall: your recorded fire risk assessment, a fire log book that reminds you when a test is due, a one-page fire briefing every hirer signs, and plain answers about Martyn's Law — which most halls will find does not apply to them.
Fire safety law applies to your hall today, whatever its size. HallGuard helps the trustees, the parish council clerk or the bookings secretary do it — and keep the record.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to every village hall, community centre and church hall, whatever its size in England and Wales (Scotland has its own fire safety law). It is the duty that matters most, and the one we start with.
When the hall is hired, the hirer has control of it for their event. Article 5(3) of the Fire Safety Order puts the same fire-safety duties on anyone who has control of premises, so far as the duties relate to matters within their control. The committee keeps the fire risk assessment; the hirer needs to know the exits, the alarm, the assembly point and the maximum numbers on the day.
If a party leaves the rear exit blocked with stacked tables, you will have a record of the briefing — and of what you did about it.
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 received Royal Assent in April 2025. It is expected to come into force in spring 2027, and there is nothing to do or notify until it does. It will apply only to premises that can reasonably expect 200 or more people at the same time — counting everyone on site, including volunteers.
The place-of-worship rule that keeps a church in the standard tier does not apply to a hall. A hall that can expect 800 or more at once would be enhanced tier — and if that is you, we will say so and recommend specialist help rather than pretend a template covers it.
Most halls are under 200. We tell you so plainly, and you can stop there.
Simple public protection procedures your volunteers can carry out: evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication. Standard-tier enforcement is civil, not criminal.
We help you prepare calmly before the duty starts — your procedures written up for your building, and awareness for your volunteers.
Fire awareness in a few minutes: raising the alarm, keeping exits clear, getting everyone to the assembly point, helping people who need it. For counter-terrorism awareness we point you to the free ACT Awareness e-learning on ProtectUK — and record who has completed it.
Recorded in full, reviewed every year, kept with your documents.
Weekly alarm tests, monthly emergency lighting, the annual extinguisher service and drills — with reminders.
A one-page checklist each hirer signs, and a record of every handover.
A two-minute scope check, and your procedures if you are in scope.
Fire awareness briefings, and a pointer to free ACT Awareness.
An email when a test is due or overdue — nothing more.
A district or parish council that owns its halls and community centres, or a county association supporting its members, can see which buildings need attention — with each hall keeping its own free login.
| Portfolio size | Monthly | Annual (by invoice) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 10 venues | £49 a month | £490 a year |
| Up to 25 venues | £99 a month | £990 a year |
| Up to 100 venues | £249 a month | £2,490 a year |
| Up to 250 venues | £499 a month | £4,990 a year |
| Up to 500 venues | £899 a month | £8,990 a year |
| 500+ venues | Talk to us | |
Prices exclude VAT. Annual is ten months’ price. A 30-day free trial covers up to 10 venues. Single churches and halls are always free.
Start a 30-day portfolio trial Or talk to us
HallGuard provides tools and plain-English guidance to help you meet your duties; it is not a substitute for professional fire, security or legal advice, and it does not carry out inspections or tests for you. Martyn's Law is not yet in force. HallGuard is independent: it is not endorsed by any police force, fire and rescue service, council or government body.