Fire safety in churches
There are thousands of fires in churches and chapels every year, costing significant amounts to repair and a lost in historic heritage. Most of these fires are thankfully discovered early and put out before they develop further. Some, however, are serious and destructive; a few are catastrophic, such as the fires that occurred at the Church of the Ascension in Salford in February 2017 and the Bethel Community Church in Newport in June 2018.
In this guide, we’ll explore the key components of fire safety in churches, including common fire hazards, the importance of fire risk assessments and actionable steps for reducing risks. By understanding and implementing these fire safety measures, church leaders can ensure a safer environment for their congregation and safeguard their valuable buildings from the devastating effects of fire.
So why is it important to discuss fire safety in churches? Churches and places of workshop hold historic, architectural and community value, serving as important gathering places for groups of people. However, their unique characteristics make them particularly vulnerable to fire hazards. These fire hazards include some of the factors below:
There are many reasons why fire safety in churches needs to be recognised. Not only are the fire hazards listed above a factor but the construction of churches, especially older ones, can also contribute significantly to fire risk. Many churches are constructed with timber frames that, over time, become increasingly flammable as the wood deteriorates. These structures often feature expansive, open interiors with high ceilings, which facilitate the rapid spread of fire, fuelled by ample oxygen from open windows or doors. The risk is further compounded by the presence of wooden pews, altars and aging electrical systems, all of which heighten the potential for fire ignition. While the stone or brick exteriors of many churches are non-combustible, they can trap heat within, making internal fires harder to extinguish.
Churches are often unoccupied for long periods, which increases their risk of arson and consequently fire hazards. Additionally, due to the desire to preserve historic buildings, installing modern fire suppression and alarm systems, such as sprinklers, is often not prioritised
Improving fire safety in churches
The vast majority of fires in churches could be prevented by having good fire risk management, achieved through a fire risk assessment.
Churches and places of worship, like other public buildings such as village halls, must adhere to various fire safety regulations and legislation to ensure the safety of their occupants and property. In England and Wales, the main piece of legislation covering fire safety in churches is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO). Similar laws apply to Scotland and Northern Ireland, came into force on 1st October 2006. The law is enforced by the Fire and Rescue Services, which have the authority to prosecute individuals who fail to comply with fire safety regulations. Violations can lead to criminal sanctions, including fines and potentially even imprisonment. Local fire authorities may have additional requirements and guidelines for fire safety in churches, so it is advisable to speak to your local fire authority, which may have additional requirements or advice that you should follow.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order states that the responsibility for fire safety falls on a ‘responsible person’. For fire safety in churches this responsible person could be the church warden, the minister, a supervisor or if your church has a board of trustees, a committee member or another designated individual. The responsible person must ensure the safety of everyone using the church by implementing appropriate fire safety measures. The Order also mandates that all public buildings conduct regular fire risk assessments by a competent person to identify potential fire hazards, assess risk to people within the building and put in place fire safety measures to minimise the risk. The outcomes of these fire risk assessments must be recorded where five or more people are employed.
Fire safety in churches – The fire risk assessment
A fire risk assessment in a church should involve several key steps to ensure that fire hazards are identified and properly managed. A summary of these steps and represented in the image below:
1. Identifying fire hazards
The fire triangle is a simple model (refer to the image below) used to understand the necessary ingredients for most fires. Understanding and controlling these elements can prevent or extinguish fires and improve fire safety in churches.
- Heat: Churches often use heat sources such as candles, heating systems and electrical equipment. It’s essential to manage these heat sources properly by ensuring candles are placed in safe holders, heating systems are well-maintained and electrical equipment is regularly inspected for faults. In addition, lightning strikes can provide intense heat when striking a building. Churches are also prone to arson attacks where individuals sometimes introduce an external heat sources deliberately.
- Fuel: Churches contain many combustible materials like wooden pews, altar cloths, paper documents and decorative items. Implementing strict policies on storage and handling of such materials and ensuring they are kept away from heat sources, can significantly reduce fire risks.
- Oxygen: While oxygen is naturally present in the air, proper ventilation and control of airflow can help prevent fires from spreading rapidly. Ensuring that areas where flames are used, like candle-lit services, are well-ventilated and open flames are managed properly.
2. Identifying people at risk
When considering fire safety in churches, you will need to identify and assess which people may be at risk during a fire in a church. Churches serve a wide range of people, so it is important to consider these different groups of individuals. They may include:
- Staff, volunteers, worshippers and contractors.
- Vulnerable groups such as the elderly, disabled, children and people that need special assistance.
- Attendees at special events, such as weddings, funerals and services at Christmas.
3. Evaluating and reducing risks
Once fire hazards and people at risk have been identified, the next step in a fire risk assessment involves evaluating the likelihood of a fire starting and determining how to reduce these risks effectively. This step ensures that fire safety measures are put in place to minimise the chance of fire and remove and reduce hazards such as updating electrical systems and reducing open flames as well as implementing fire precautions to reduce the impact of a fire by installing smoke alarms, fire extinguishers and ensuring escape routes are clear.
4. Recording, planning and training
The next step in the fire risk assessment for fire safety in churches is to document the findings, create an emergency response plan and ensure proper training.
- Record the findings: Recording the results of the fire risk assessment is a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This documentation serves as an official record that can be referenced during reviews, inspections or fire safety audits and it ensures that all fire safety measures are formalised. This includes recording identified hazards and people at risk, implemented fire safety measures and maintenance and inspection records.
- Develop a fire safety plan – There are six essential elements of a plan for fire safety for churches:
- Emergency Evacuation Procedures: Ensure there are designated assembly points and clearly marked, accessible escape routes, preferably with emergency lighting are available and keep exits unlocked during services and ensure you have fire doors to stop the spread of fire where appropriate.
- Fire Detection and Alarm Systems: Install and regularly test smoke detectors and fire alarms and ensure manual activation options are available if needed.
- Assisting Vulnerable People: Plan for the evacuation of elderly, disabled and children by providing assistance.
- Fire Prevention Measures: Safely manage candles and open flames, maintain electrical systems and store flammable materials securely.
- Firefighting Equipment: Place appropriate fire extinguishers and firefighting tools in strategic locations (eg CO2 for electrical fires, water for wood) and ensure they are regularly maintained.
- Appoint Responsible People: Assign fire wardens to guide evacuations and outline specific tasks for staff and everybody during emergencies.
- Train all individuals – All responsible people should be adequately trained on fire prevention, emergency response and how to use fire safety equipment. Proper training ensures that, in the event of a fire, there is a calm and orderly response that minimises harm. Most churches would need to appoint fire wardens who have to undergo specialist training to be confident in guiding evacuations and monitoring fire safety measures.
5. Reviewing
The fire risk assessment should be reviewed at least annually or whenever there are significant changes to the building, such as renovations, new equipment or different uses of the space and after any incidents then the fire risk assessment should be reviewed and updated as necessary.
Conclusion
Ensuring fire safety in churches is not only a legal requirement but it also protects the lives of its staff, volunteers and congregation as well as the historical and cultural value of church buildings. By taking proactive measure, such as installing fire detection systems, training fire wardens and maintaining accessible escape routes, churches can create a safer environment for all their visitors. Fire safety in churches is an ongoing process that requires regular updates and attention but with a clear plan in place, the risk of fire can be significantly reduced.
Resources
GOV.UK – Fire safety risk assessment: small and medium places of assembly
Historic England Site: Fire safety in traditional church buildings
Download our Fire Safety in Churches Checklist
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