Where it can be reasonably expected that between 200 and 799 individuals will be present on the premises at the same time, from time to time, the premises will be in the standard tier.
There are special considerations for some premises, such as places of worship, childcare and some educational facilities. These types of premises will always be standard tier premises if they can expect 200 or more individuals to be present at the same time, from time to time, even if the enhanced tier threshold of 800 or more individuals is reached.
The person responsible for standard tier premises must:
- notify the Security Industry Authority (SIA) that they are the responsible person for these premises; and
- ensure that appropriate public protection procedures are in place, so far as reasonably practicable.
Further information will be forthcoming on the requirement to notify.
Those responsible for standard tier premises (and those responsible for enhanced tier premises and qualifying events) must ensure that appropriate public protection procedures are in place, so far as is reasonably practicable.
The requirements for standard tier premises are centred around simple, low-cost activities with costs relating primarily to time spent.
Public protection procedures
The responsible person for qualifying premises and events must ensure that, so far as is reasonably practicable, appropriate public protection procedures are in place at the premises.
These public protection procedures are those which should be followed by people working at the premises if an act of terrorism, or a suspected act of terrorism, were to occur at the premises, or in the immediate vicinity. The four types of procedures that must be put in place, as appropriate and so far as is reasonably practicable, are:
- Evacuation: the process of getting people safely out of the premises
- Invacuation: The process of moving people away from danger to a place at the premises or event where there is less risk of physical harm being caused to them
- Lockdown: the process of securing the premises to prevent individuals entering or leaving the premises, e.g. to restrict or prevent entry by an attacker by locking doors, closing shutters or using available barriers
- Communication: The process of ensuring information is provided to individuals at the premises or event (for example, alerting people to danger as quickly as possible and providing instructions to remain in place or move away, where it is safe to do so)
The responsible person must consider what is appropriate and reasonably practicable for their premises. This will involve consideration of the nature of the premises and resources available. One size does not fit all and all premises are unique.
The requirement has been designed with the intention of being simple for the responsible person to follow. Statutory guidance is available to support the consideration of appropriate and reasonably practicable public protection procedures.
The responsible person should have the confidence that procedures can be implemented rapidly and effectively when required. This includes ensuring that staff are aware of the procedures and how to implement them. It is not sufficient to have a written procedure that would be unable to be implemented rapidly and effectively (for example, because relevant staff lack awareness or understanding of the procedure and their roles, or they do not have the necessary experience or tools to carry it out).