Maximising fire safety in London pop-up markets: Essential Strategies for Compliance and Risk Management in 2025
Why fire safety in London pop-up markets demands specific attention
Fire safety in London pop-up markets is critical for organisers, stallholders and property managers. In this guide you will learn practical, legally sound strategies to reduce risk, meet duties and manage incidents effectively. This article explains responsibilities under current fire safety law, how to carry out suitable risk assessments for stalls and temporary structures, and which operational controls and training will keep visitors and traders safe. It also includes a ready checklist and recommended next steps for 2025.
Pop-up markets combine high footfall, temporary structures and varied activities. These features increase both the likelihood of ignition sources and the difficulty of safe evacuation. For example, cooking stalls, portable generators and overloaded power supplies are common fire risks. Market layouts can create pinch points that impede escape and complicate firefighting access. Effective planning reduces those risks and protects reputation and legal compliance. Guidance for event safety and temporary stalls has become more detailed in recent years, reflecting the complexity of modern markets. See the NFCC event safety guidance and the London Fire Brigade retail and workplace guidance for practical templates and expectations.
Legal duties and the role of the Responsible Person
Organisers and stallholders must understand who acts as the Responsible Person under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and recent changes under the Building Safety Act. The Responsible Person must carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment, record findings where required and put general fire precautions in place. Failure to comply can lead to enforcement, fines or prosecutions. For clarity on legal duties and recent updates consult the official legislation and government guidance: Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and GOV.UK guidance on fire-safety duties.
Practical implication: If you organise a market on private land you normally act as the Responsible Person. If you permit traders on your property then you must ensure their activities form part of your overall fire safety arrangements.
Carrying out a stall-level fire risk assessment
A proper assessment should be proportionate but thorough. Begin by identifying hazards specific to each stall: cooking appliances, deep fat fryers, LPG canisters, electrical equipment, combustible stock and waste. Next, determine who is at risk – staff, visitors, neighbours and people with reduced mobility. Then evaluate and record the measures needed to reduce those risks.
Use tailored assessments for different stall types. For example, a food stall with fryers needs an extinguishing plan and a fire blanket, while a clothing stall needs careful separation of lighting from fabrics. The NFCC templates for event safety provide practical checklists that event organisers should adopt into Event Management Plans.
Temporary structures and standards: design, erection and inspection
Temporary marquees, tents and canopies require specialist attention because structural failure can affect escape routes and firefighter access. Designers and installers should follow recognised standards such as BS EN 13782 for tents and applicable event-structure guidance. Appoint competent suppliers and ensure structures are specified for the site conditions, including wind, rain and ground bearing capacity. Regular inspections during the event are essential.
Practical steps to manage temporary structures: Request manufacturers’ compliance documents and load calculations before site installation. Carry out a post-erection inspection and document the results. Include a procedure to close or remove tents if weather conditions exceed the design limits. For standards and supplier guidance see the BS EN 13782 guidance and structural guidance from professional bodies such as IStructE.
Fire prevention controls for traders and organisers
Good controls reduce ignition sources and limit fire spread. For markets, focus on layout, electrical safety, cooking operations and waste management.
Layout and access Ensure clear evacuation routes that remain unobstructed at all times. Make sufficient space between stalls for emergency access and vehicular movement. Keep fire lanes and hydrant access clear and coordinate with the local fire service when planning large events.
Electrical safety Require PAT testing where appropriate and insist on certified installation of fixed wiring, generators and distribution boards. Use cable protection, RCDs and weatherproof connections. Poor temporary wiring is a leading cause of event fires; consult the London Fire Brigade guidance for common failings.
Cooking and fuel Limit the types of cooking permitted in high-density areas. For deep fat frying insist on flame-failure devices, extract ventilation and an appropriate Class F extinguisher or fire blanket. Store LPG and fuel away from public areas and in secure, ventilated locations. Ensure cylinders are upright and secured.
Waste and combustible stock Implement frequent waste removal to avoid build-up of cardboard and packaging. Locate refuse points well away from stalls and means of escape.
Emergency planning, stewards and firefighting equipment
An Event Management Plan must set out the action on discovering fire, communication methods, assembly points and responsibilities. For practical resilience appoint trained fire marshals and stewards and give them clear zones of responsibility. Training providers such as Total Safe UK Fire Marshal Training help market teams become competent and confident in emergency roles.
Provide appropriate fire-fighting appliances at the right locations and ensure stallholders know how to use them. Local licensing conditions often specify minimum appliance types for cooking stalls; London councils commonly require Class A and Class B extinguishers and fire blankets for food traders. Test communication systems (radios, public address) before opening and ensure a nominated incident commander coordinates with the emergency services if required. See local licence guidance from boroughs such as Camden and Hammersmith & Fulham.
Working with local authorities and permits
Local councils and licensing teams set permit conditions for street trading and markets. Plan early: notify the council, submit site layouts and risk assessments, and demonstrate how you will control fire risks. Many councils require submission at least 30 days before a commercial market; timescales vary so confirm local requirements early in your planning. Inspecting officers from the council and fire service may assess your arrangements both before and during the event.
Document everything. Records of inspections, competence of contractors, and fire safety arrangements show due diligence and help if an incident leads to an inquiry. For borough-level guidance see resources such as Haringey and Camden.
Training, competence and contractor management
Competence matters more than convenience. Use accredited providers for high-risk services such as electrical installation, gas work and structural design of temporary buildings. Vet suppliers with questions on certification, insurance and inspection regimes.
Provide short, practical training for stallholders covering fire extinguisher use, how to shut down cooking equipment and how to evacuate customers safely. Total Safe UK offers fire risk assessments and training packages that suit markets and event organisers; see Total Safe UK Fire Risk Assessment for service examples.
A simple, actionable fire safety checklist for London pop-up markets
This checklist distils the key controls you must confirm before opening. Use each item as a checkbox in your Event Management Plan and update it after every event to reflect lessons learned.
Completed site-level Fire Risk Assessment and trader-level assessments — see the Total Safe UK Fire Risk Assessment service for templates and examples.
Clearly marked and unobstructed evacuation routes and assembly points — ensure signage, lighting and stewarding maintain routes throughout the event.
Competent temporary structure supplier and inspection records referencing appropriate standards such as BS EN 13782.
Approved electrical installations, PAT testing certificates and protected cabling — insist on certification for generators, distribution boards and fixed installs.
Suitable firefighting appliances at all cooking stalls, and secure storage for LPG or fuel — check local licence conditions for appliance types.
Trained fire marshals and stewards on every shift, with radios and an incident command structure — training examples at Total Safe UK Fire Marshal Training.
Waste management plan to remove combustible rubbish frequently and locate refuse points away from means of escape.
Permit and notification to the local authority, with copies of insurance and risk assessments available to inspectors — consult borough guidance such as Haringey guidance.
Working with Total Safe to reduce risk and prove compliance
If you need practical support, Total Safe UK can conduct a market-specific fire risk assessment, supply training for fire marshals and advise on firefighting equipment and temporary structure requirements. For example, our Fire Risk Assessment service helps organisers meet legal duties and produce documented action plans for corrective works.
Engaging a competent third party reduces your administrative burden and strengthens your defence if an incident prompts an investigation.
Conclusion and recommended next steps
Fire safety in London pop-up markets combines legal duty with practical management. Start with a site-level Fire Risk Assessment that includes trader-level checks. Specify competent suppliers for temporary structures and electrical work, and provide training for fire marshals. Work closely with local authorities and the fire service to ensure permits and inspection regimes are satisfied. Finally, document all actions and keep records for future events.
Recommended next steps
Commission a market-level Fire Risk Assessment and trader templates — see Total Safe UK Fire Risk Assessment for service details.
Book Fire Marshal Training for stewards and organisers — training available at Total Safe UK Fire Marshal Training.
Confirm temporary structure compliance with suppliers and maintain inspection records referencing relevant standards such as BS EN 13782 guidance.
For detailed official guidance on legal duties and fire safety in non-domestic premises consult the government guidance on fire safety for those with legal duties and event-specific templates from the NFCC: GOV.UK guidance on fire-safety duties and NFCC event safety guidance.
FAQ
What immediate legal documents should a market organiser have on site?
You should hold the site Fire Risk Assessment, trader risk assessments, proof of public liability insurance, signed competence documents for major contractors and your Event Management Plan. Keep these accessible to enforcement officers; see GOV.UK guidance and local licence guidance such as Haringey.
Which fire extinguisher is suitable for cooking stalls?
For deep fat frying use Class F rated extinguishers plus a fire blanket. For general cooking stalls, a combination of Class A and Class B appliances is often required; check local licence conditions for exact specifications (see Camden guidance).
Do temporary tents need to meet a British or European standard?
Yes. Tents and temporary structures should comply with recognised standards such as BS EN 13782 and be supplied and installed by competent firms. Ask suppliers for certificates and design documentation before hire; guidance at BS EN 13782 guidance.
How many trained fire marshals do I need?
The number depends on market size, complexity and expected attendance. As a minimum, allocate trained marshals to cover each zone and every shift, ensuring a clear chain of command. Total Safe UK can advise on appropriate staffing levels and provide training: Fire Marshal Training.
Who should I contact to check local permit requirements for a market in London?
Contact the local council’s licensing or street trading team well in advance; they will advise on notice periods, licence conditions and consultation with the fire service. Many boroughs require at least 30 days’ notice for commercial markets. Examples include Haringey and Camden.
Further reading and resources: government guidance on fire safety duties, NFCC event safety guidance and the British Standards page on temporary structures are essential reference points for organisers: GOV.UK guidance, NFCC event safety guidance, and BS EN 13782 guidance.
For help implementing the checklist or to arrange a bespoke market fire risk assessment, contact Total Safe UK’s fire risk assessment team or book Fire Marshal Training.
Official GOV.UK guidance on fire safety duties
NFCC event safety guidance and templates
Total Safe UK Fire Risk Assessment service
