Specialist Sectors
Large crowds, complex venues, specialist standards.
Some venues carry fire safety demands that go well beyond a standard commercial premises. Football stadiums, gymnasiums and other sports venues bring large numbers of people together — often in a heightened emotional state, in tiered seating or unfamiliar concourses, and sometimes with alcohol involved — all of which change how quickly and safely a building can be evacuated.
AJR Facilities Management carries out fire risk assessments for specialist sectors, including football stadiums, gymnasiums and other sports and leisure venues, drawing on the Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds (the “Green Guide”) alongside the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006, to give venue operators an assessment that reflects how the building actually behaves on a match day or busy event.
Why Specialist Sectors Are Different
- High occupant density — large crowds mean evacuation capacity and flow are as critical as the fire risk itself
- Tiered and standing areas — stands, terraces and concourses need escape routes assessed differently to flat-floor buildings
- Variable, event-driven occupancy — a venue empty on a Tuesday can hold thousands on a Saturday, changing the risk picture entirely
- Crowd behaviour — excitement, alcohol, and unfamiliarity with the venue can all slow orderly evacuation
- Complex building types — plant rooms, hospitality suites, changing areas and public concourses all sit within the one fire strategy
What Our Assessment Covers
- Full walk-through of the venue, including stands, concourses, changing areas and plant rooms
- Evacuation capacity and flow analysis against expected event occupancy
- Review of fire detection, alarm and public address/voice alarm systems
- Means of escape assessment — routes, exit widths, travel distances and signage
- Emergency lighting across public, staff and event-only areas
- Liaison points with your safety certificate and event safety planning
- Written report with prioritised, practical recommendations
Why It Matters
Non-compliance can mean enforcement action, safety certificate conditions not being met, and invalidated insurance — but with the numbers involved, a specialist sector venue getting fire safety wrong has consequences on a scale most premises never face.
Our Process
- Get in touch — tell us about your venue and typical event occupancy
- Site visit — our assessor surveys the venue, ideally including an event day
- Report — you receive a clear, actionable report
- Review — we recommend a re-assessment schedule to keep you compliant
Or email sandy@ajrfm.co.uk directly.