Churches and chapels
Places of worship stay in the standard tier however large they are. The trigger is 200 or more at once, which many see only a few times a year.
A church or chapel is in scope if it is reasonable to expect 200 or more people at the same time from time to time — large funerals, weddings, Christmas and festivals count. Places of worship are always standard tier, whatever their size, so the duty is to notify the SIA and have the four procedures.
What does it mean for you?
- Volunteers, stewards and clergy take the roles; write roles by position, not by name.
- Old buildings often have one main door; invacuation into a vestry or hall may be the realistic option.
- Your denomination or diocese may publish free guidance — use it.
- Halls attached to the church may be separate premises with a different principal use.
The four procedures are explained on the standard tier page, tiers on which tier am I in, and there is a checklist and a worked example.
Before you pay anyone: the Home Office says premises do not need to buy consultancy to meet the standard tier, and its guidance, the SIA’s guidance and the ProtectUK training are free. Neither the Home Office nor the SIA endorses any provider, including us. The legal responsibility stays with the person responsible for the premises; we help with the work, we do not take the duty off you.
What do the four procedures look like in a church or chapel?
Evacuation: through the vestry or side door rather than the main door onto the road.
Invacuation: into the vestry, hall or a room without street-facing windows.
Lockdown: which doors the steward or verger closes, and how quickly.
Communication: a pre-agreed phrase the minister or steward uses from the front.
What are the common gaps?
- Only one person knowing the plan.
- No plan for large funerals, when most people are visitors.
- Halls let to other groups not covered.
Want a second pair of eyes on it?
Send the venue type, the most people you would expect in at once, and how many sites you run. We will tell you which tier you look to be in and whether the free route is enough before quoting anything.
Common questions
Is my church in the enhanced tier because it seats 900?
No. Places of worship remain in the standard tier regardless of capacity.
We only reach 200 at Christmas. Are we in scope?
Occasional but predictable peaks, such as Christmas services or large funerals, count as 'from time to time'. Record your reasoning.