Fire Safety and Staff Ratios: Compliance for Hospitality Venues
Fire safety is not optional. Every hospitality venue in the UK must comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. And compliance affects your staffing.
If you run a pub, restaurant, cafe, or hotel, here is what you need to know about fire safety and your team.
The Legal Requirement
Under the Fire Safety Order, you must have a “responsible person” for fire safety. In most hospitality businesses, that is the owner, the manager, or the person in control of the premises.
The responsible person must:
- Conduct a fire risk assessment
- Put in place appropriate fire safety measures
- Provide fire safety information and training to staff
- Plan for emergencies
Staff Training
Every member of your team needs fire safety training. This should include:
- What to do if they discover a fire
- How to raise the alarm
- How to evacuate customers
- Where the fire extinguishers are
- Which extinguisher to use for which type of fire
Training should happen when someone starts and be refreshed regularly. Keep a record of who has been trained and when.
Fire Marshals
In larger venues, you need designated fire marshals. These are staff members with additional training who take charge during an evacuation.
The number of fire marshals you need depends on the size of your venue and the number of staff on duty. A small cafe might need one. A large restaurant might need several.
Evacuation Drills
You must practice your emergency plan. Fire drills should happen at least once a year, and more often in higher-risk venues.
During a drill, everyone evacuates. This means you are not serving customers. Plan your drills during quiet periods so they do not disrupt your service.
Staff Ratios and Evacuation
Here is where fire safety meets scheduling. During an evacuation, every customer needs clear direction. If you are understaffed, customers may not know where to go.
Make sure your rotas account for fire safety. You need enough staff on duty to manage an evacuation safely. This is particularly important during busy periods.
Keep Records
The Fire and Rescue Service can inspect your premises at any time. They will ask to see your fire risk assessment, your training records, and your drill log.
Keep these documents up to date. Non-compliance can result in fines, closure orders, or even prosecution.
The Bottom Line
Fire safety is a legal responsibility that directly affects your staffing. Train your team, designate fire marshals, practice your drills, and make sure your rotas are never so thin that an evacuation becomes unsafe.