This month marks nine years since the Manchester Arena bombings and with less than a year to go before Martyn’s Law will be in full effect, IoT company, AddSecure, is warning facilities managers to start preparing now or risk serious legal consequences.
Expected to be enforced from April 2027, many buildings are affected by the incoming changes and still do not have a compliant solution.
Martyn’s Law requires venues hosting over 200 people to have a protocol in place for responding to a terrorist incident. Spilt into two tiers, sites that hold between 200-799 people must comply with the Standard Tier, which focuses on creating procedures, staff training and regular audits, while those hosting over 800 people must fulfil the Enhanced Tier’s criteria, which extends the requirements to include frequent risk assessments and physical security systems, such as CCTV or bag search policies.
Chris Wimshurst, Director of UK Sales at AddSecure, said: “A much needed update, Martyn’s Law will make buildings safer. There’s a misconception that Martyn’s Law is only going to affect high-capacity venues, such as sports stadiums or entertainment arenas but that’s not the case. The two-tiered system means that facilities managers must also be compliant or risk legal, financial and reputational consequences.
“Currently there’s little guidance available for businesses on how to implement it effectively. We want to help navigate this complex piece of legislation, and have created a whitepaper on Martyn’s Law, explaining how it will affect the sector and what procedures will need to be implemented to remain compliant, but more importantly, to keep people safe.”
Many buildings either do not have a system in place or rely on their fire alarm system to alert people in the building. Under Martyn’s Law, this will no longer be acceptable as it risks putting people in more danger as people may walk into the terrorist’s path while trying to evacuate. Now larger buildings will need to have evacuation and lockdown procedures, as well as a robust communication system that can be used by emergency services and staff to respond to the situation as it evolves.
Wimshurst continues: “Communication is the foundation of any security situation. Terrorist incidents are difficult to prepare for because they can take many forms and can evolve quickly, making the ability to communicate all the more vital.
“High-tech security systems are fantastic and definitely play a part in keeping people safe, but ultimately instructing building users on the best course of action in real-time saves lives. This could mean informing them to lockdown, barricade the door and wait for help or it could it mean to leave through a specific exit. As a terrorist moves around a building more people may be able to escape, and informing them of when and where to go will minimise casualties.”
For more information download AddSecure UK’s Martyn’s Law whitepaper here or to find out more about the AddSecure’s solutions here: https://www.addsecure.com/
