In this ISJ exclusive, Derrick Hall, Director of Sales for Kentec Electronics explains how Martyn’s law will reshape fire and security emergency communication systems in the UK.
Martyn’s Law, due to take effect following a minimum 24-month implementation phase, is expected to significantly change how many UK venues approach public safety.
Developed in the wake of the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, the law aims to create a consistent approach to protecting people from terrorist incidents and similar security threats.
Is the country ready for the wholesale cultural shift that will turn traditional approaches to fire safety on their heads and more closely align the disciplines of fire safety and security?
Martyn’s Law, named after Martyn Hett, one of the 22 people who died during the 2017 attack, applies to publicly accessible premises and events that fall within the categories defined in the Act – from cafes to shopping centres, universities to some transport-related premises.
These venues must confirm their applicable capacity tier and implement risk assessments, security plans and procedures for responding to terrorist incidents, including evacuation
All those in the standard tier – venues expected to host several hundred people at a time – must carry out risk assessments and associated basic preparedness planning.
Any with a capacity exceeding 800 people will be classed as enhanced tier and must develop and implement detailed security and communication strategies designed to address the pre-defined risks.
Non-compliance is not an option.
The rules will be enforced by a new regulatory function within the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and breaches could result in significant financial penalties for non-compliance, particularly for enhanced-tier venues.
Martyn’s Law is likely to influence how fire and safety systems are designed, managed and communicated during an emergency.
Currently, fire systems are built around a single, clear purpose of evacuating people safely in the event of an emergency.
Under the new rules, organisations will also need to consider the opposite response – a lockdown or an evacuation – where people may need to stay inside and shelter.
These two emergency responses can easily come into conflict.
For example, how are people to know if the alarm they are hearing is instructing them to get out or shelter in place?
This raises questions about how fire alarm and security systems can coexist within the same building management framework.
It will no longer be enough to treat fire safety and security separately.
Rather, systems will need to recognise different types of incidents and communicate the appropriate action clearly, accurately and in a timely manner.
To address this, the industry is exploring multi-mode emergency communication systems that can deliver specific messages tailored to the type of incident.
These might combine audible tones, spoken voice instructions and visual indicators. The aim is to help ensure that everyone inside a building when the worst happens receives the information they need, depending on the situation.
The introduction of Martyn’s Law is a significant opportunity to enhance safety in our public spaces. Implementation though, may come with some challenges for smaller venues.
While larger spaces, such as arenas or stadiums, will already have full-scale public address (PA) or voice alarm (VA) systems in place, these may not be practical or financially viable for smaller venues.
Those in the law’s standard tier category need scalable and retrofittable solutions that can deliver effective communication without the expense of a complete infrastructure overhaul.
New and intelligent systems on the market are dual purpose, capable of issuing both evacuation and lockdown messages, providing distinct alerts for different incident types; they are reliable with the ability to function even in the event of power loss or technical stress.
These solutions are easy to operate, ensuring staff can respond quickly under pressure and are also integrated – able to connect with existing fire detection and security networks.
This kind of product can help improve preparedness through practical, proportionate action – bridging the gap between fire safety and security and providing the flexibility to manage evacuation or invacuation scenarios effectively.
For building owners, venue operators and facilities managers, Martyn’s Law preparation starts with awareness. Simply understanding the requirements and how they affect existing safety systems is the first step.
From there, organisations should conduct a full review of their current arrangements.
Considerations should include what kind of threats the venue may have to face and whether current alarm and communication systems allow for both evacuation and lockdown.
Teams should also look at ensuring staff are trained to recognise different signals and respond correctly and implement a clear chain of command during an emergency.
End-users would also be advised to engage with system manufacturers and installers to explore upgrade options as early as possible.
Whilst systems such as the Kentec Lockdown Panel have been designed to integrate with existing infrastructure, it is important to remember that technology alone doesn’t make people safer.
By getting ahead of the change curve, organisations can make sure they have as much time as possible to train their teams and develop a strong safety culture.
Martyn’s Law is not just a new piece of legislation. It signals a shift in how the UK thinks about public safety.
That means reimagining traditional systems, from simple evacuation alarms to versatile emergency communication networks that are capable of managing multiple threats.
It is not just about meeting legal requirements and avoiding fines but building safer, more resilient public spaces for years to come.
