Fire safety for London’s street markets is vital for market managers, stallholders and event organisers; this guide explains what you must do to reduce risk, meet legal duties and protect customers in 2025. You will learn how the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order applies to markets, which practical controls to prioritise, how to plan for temporary stalls and catering units, and when to call in specialist help. The guidance is written for non-specialists and focuses on clear, actionable steps that protect people and premises.

Markets are lively places with many hazards packed into small areas. Cooking equipment, temporary electrical supplies, flammable canopies and large crowds all increase the chance of ignition and rapid fire spread. Recent local outreach and inspections in London markets underline the Fire and Rescue Service focus on trader safety and public awareness. Effective fire planning reduces injury, business interruption and the risk of enforcement action. london-fire.gov.uk

A clear legal framework also applies. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places duties on the “responsible person” to carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment and to put proportionate precautions in place. Market managers, landlords or individual stallholders may each have responsibilities depending on control and tenancy arrangements. Understanding who is responsible is the first compliance step. gov.uk legislation.gov.uk

A fire risk assessment tailored to an outdoor market or street fair is the foundation of safe operations. It should identify hazards, people at risk, existing controls and actions to reduce risk. Particular attention must be paid to temporary structures, catering units and waste management. The National Fire Chiefs Council provides event-specific templates and checklists that help market organisers structure assessments and record decisions. Use these when planning seasonal markets or one-off events. nfcc.org.uk

Good assessments answer simple questions: how might a fire start, how would it spread, how will people escape, what firefighting resources are available and who communicates with the fire service. Ensure the assessment records named responsible persons, contact numbers and an action plan with dates. Total Safe can produce market-tailored Fire Risk Assessments and help you prioritise actions. Fire Risk Assessment. totalsafeuk.com

Design the market layout to maintain clear routes for evacuation and rapid access for emergency services. Keep aisles wide enough for two-way footflow and for emergency responders to reach an incident. Avoid blocking escape routes with stock, waste or promotional displays. Place assembly points where they do not restrict rescue or fire appliance movement.

Plan vehicle access for the fire and rescue service and agree access points with the local brigade in advance. Do this when you submit event notices or liaise with your borough; pre-event liaison often speeds response and reduces confusion. The NFCC event guidance sets out how to incorporate emergency access and crowd management into Event Management Plans. nfcc.org.uk

Cooking and fuel systems are principal ignition sources in markets. Control measures should include strict operational and inspection regimes.

Authorised, trained operators: Ensure every cooking appliance is only used by an authorised, trained operator following safe working procedures.

Safe LPG management: Store LPG cylinders securely, site them in a safe location, and carry out regular leak checks and labelling of installations.

Physical separation: Use fixed barriers between open flames and pedestrian areas to prevent accidental contact and rapid spread.

Ventilation and extraction: Provide adequate ventilation and extractor systems for enclosed kiosks and catering units to remove heat and combustion products.

Electrical safety: Portable appliance testing and RCD protection must be used for temporary electrical supplies; use competent contractors for design and testing and protect cables from damage.

London Fire Brigade advise market retailers and traders on common fire sources such as electrical faults and poor storage. Ensure all temporary electrical installations are designed and tested by competent contractors and use appropriate cable protection to avoid tripping and damage. london-fire.gov.uk nfcc.org.uk

Total Safe’s services can support electrical and suppression needs, and we provide tailored advice for market catering units. Fire Safety Services

Where a market includes enclosed or semi-enclosed units, early detection and alarm arrangements reduce harm. British Standards such as BS 5839 outline good practice for fire detection and alarm systems in non-domestic premises. For temporary structures, consider battery-operated alarms where mains systems are impractical and make sure staff know how to raise the alarm quickly. bsigroup.com knowledge.bsigroup.com

Provide suitable fire extinguishers at a visible height and ensure staff receive simple, practical training on their use. Position water or foam extinguishers away from electrical supplies and use CO2 extinguishers for electrical fires. Ensure extinguishers are maintained and accompanied by visible signage.

Training and clear communication are non-negotiable. Every stallholder and Market Marshal should understand the market emergency plan. The plan must set out key responsibilities and actions.

How to raise the alarm and who does it: Make sure alarm-raising procedures are simple and widely known.

Evacuation routes and assembly points: Record and mark evacuation routes and assembly locations so they are obvious to staff and the public.

Roles for Market Marshals and first aiders: Allocate roles and ensure at least one trained marshal and first aider are on duty for larger markets.

Procedures for shutting down gas and electrical supplies: Provide simple shut-down checklists so staff can isolate fuels safely.

How to record incidents and report: Keep incident recording forms and procedures for reporting to the market operator and fire service.

Regular briefings and at least one full-scale drill per season will help make the plan effective. For larger markets, issue simple laminated action cards to each stall and require staff to keep a contact number on-site.

Accumulation of combustible waste is a frequent cause of rapid fire growth. Implement a strict waste collection timetable and position waste skips or bins away from stalls and escape routes. Where possible, use enclosed metal skips and keep ignition sources such as hot oil or cooking residues segregated. Councils and market operators should agree who is responsible for daily waste clearance; this must be recorded in the market management plan. london-fire.gov.uk

Engage the London Fire Brigade and your local authority early in the planning process. They can advise on event risk levels, safe distances, and special controls for high-risk traders. The Brigade routinely runs outreach and market inspection campaigns; these are useful opportunities to identify local risks and to demonstrate compliance. Pre-event meetings reduce the likelihood of last-minute refusals or unsafe operating conditions. london-fire.gov.uk

When you submit event notices or temporary structure permits, include a copy of the fire risk assessment and the event emergency plan. Clear documentation makes enforcement visits straightforward and helps protect organisers from liability.

Choose flame-retardant materials for canopies and awnings and keep records of certificates or test data. Where canopies are older, consider replacement or additional fire-retardant treatment. Ensure that any temporary structure has adequate separation from adjacent units to avoid rapid flame spread.

If traders use portable heaters, restrict their use and follow manufacturer guidance. Solid fuel fires or open braziers should be banned unless a detailed safety plan and protective measures are in place.

Some risks need specialist input. Call in a qualified fire risk assessor when you: manage large or multi-day markets; run food and drink concessions with deep-frying or high-heat appliances; host events with sleeping or overnight facilities; or when you make significant layout changes. Total Safe provides specialist market assessments, training for Market Marshals and tailored services such as fire extinguisher maintenance, fire stopping and emergency lighting checks. Our approach helps you meet legal duties efficiently and protects patrons and traders. About Total Safe. totalsafeuk.com

For detailed legal and technical guidance, use authoritative UK sources. The Government’s fire safety guidance collection explains duties under the Fire Safety Order, including risk assessment requirements. The NFCC provides event-specific templates for traders and temporary structures. British Standards such as BS 5839 and BS 9999 set recognised best practice for alarms and fire safety management. These documents are essential references when designing control measures or when a liaison meeting with the fire service is required. gov.uk nfcc.org.uk bsigroup.com shop-checkout.bsigroup.com

Use this rapid checklist before opening each market day:

Confirm written fire risk assessment and emergency plan are on-site.

Hold a daily safety briefing for stallholders and marshals.

Check electrical supplies, RCDs and cable protection.

Verify LPG installations are secure and labelled.

Ensure fire extinguishers are present, signed-off and accessible.

Keep escape routes and access points clear.

Place visible signage and mark assembly points.

Confirm waste removal schedule and skip locations.

If you need help implementing any item, seek professional support. Total Safe can deliver inspections, training and equipment maintenance to keep you compliant and safe.

Fire safety for London’s street markets requires planning, clear responsibilities and ongoing attention. Begin by confirming who is the responsible person for each market area, then commission a market-specific fire risk assessment. Prioritise controls for cooking, temporary electrics and waste, and train staff on the emergency plan. Liaise with the London Fire Brigade and use NFCC event templates as part of your documentation. Finally, bring in a competent provider to audit and maintain equipment so your market remains a safe, vibrant public space. gov.uk nfcc.org.uk

If you would like expert support on any of these points, including tailored Fire Risk Assessments or training for Market Marshals, Total Safe offers a range of specialist services to help you meet legal duties and protect patrons. Talk to Total Safe about market fire safety.

Q: Who is the “responsible person” for a street market?

A: Responsibility depends on control. It may be the market operator, the landlord or individual stallholders. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order requires the responsible person to carry out and record a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment. gov.uk

Q: Do temporary stalls need fire alarms?

A: Enclosed or semi-enclosed units where people sleep or stay overnight often need detection. For day markets, focus on manual raising of the alarm, portable alarms in enclosed units and prompt communication with Market Marshals. Refer to BS 5839 for detection guidance in non-domestic premises. bsigroup.com

Q: What are the main risks from catering units?

A: The primary risks are ignition from cooking appliances, LPG leaks, hot oil and electrical faults. Controls include trained operators, safe cylinder storage, extractor ventilation and appropriate extinguishers. london-fire.gov.uk

Q: Should I contact the London Fire Brigade before an event?

A: Yes. Early liaison with the local brigade helps agree access arrangements, risk levels and any special controls. The Brigade also runs market safety outreach that can be useful for traders. london-fire.gov.uk

Q: Where can I get a market-specific Fire Risk Assessment?

A: A competent fire risk assessor or a specialist provider such as Total Safe can prepare a market-specific assessment, produce an action plan and offer training and equipment services to help you comply and keep people safe. Book a Fire Risk Assessment with Total Safe. totalsafeuk.com