ChurchGuard is free for the volunteers who look after a church: your recorded fire risk assessment, a fire log book that reminds you when a test is due, a one-page briefing for everyone who hires your hall, and plain answers about Martyn's Law — which most churches will find does not apply to them.
Fire safety law applies to your church today, whatever its size. ChurchGuard helps the church office, churchwardens and trustees do it — and keep the record.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to every church, chapel and church hall, whatever its size in England and Wales (Scotland has its own fire safety law). It is the duty that matters most, and the one we start with.
When your church hall is hired out, the hirer has control of it for their event. Article 5(3) of the Fire Safety Order puts fire-safety duties on anyone with control of premises, for the matters within their control. A short briefing — exits, the alarm, the assembly point, the maximum numbers — signed at every hire and recorded in your fire log book, makes sure they know what those are.
Prepared from your own assembly point, call points and numbers. Print it, walk it through, have the hirer sign it, and record the handover.
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 received Royal Assent in April 2025. It is expected to come into force in spring 2027, and there is nothing to do or notify until it does. It will apply only to premises that can reasonably expect 200 or more people at the same time — counting everyone on site, including volunteers.
A premises used primarily as a place of worship is always standard tier if it can expect 200 or more — even if a packed carol service or a large funeral goes above 800. It never moves into the enhanced tier.
Most churches are under 200. We tell you so plainly, and you can stop there.
Simple public protection procedures your volunteers can carry out: evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication. Standard-tier enforcement is civil, not criminal.
We help you prepare calmly before the duty starts — your procedures written up for your building, and awareness for your volunteers.
Fire awareness in a few minutes: raising the alarm, keeping exits clear, getting everyone to the assembly point, helping people who need it. For counter-terrorism awareness we point you to the free ACT Awareness e-learning on ProtectUK — and record who has completed it.
Recorded in full, reviewed every year, kept with your documents.
Weekly alarm tests, monthly emergency lighting, the annual extinguisher service and drills — with reminders.
A one-page checklist each hirer signs, and a record of every handover.
A two-minute scope check, and your procedures if you are in scope.
Fire awareness briefings, and a pointer to free ACT Awareness.
An email when a test is due or overdue — nothing more.
A diocese, a Baptist association or a church network can offer ChurchGuard to its churches and see, at a glance, which ones need a hand — while each church stays the responsible person for its own building.
| Portfolio size | Monthly | Annual (by invoice) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 10 venues | £49 a month | £490 a year |
| Up to 25 venues | £99 a month | £990 a year |
| Up to 100 venues | £249 a month | £2,490 a year |
| Up to 250 venues | £499 a month | £4,990 a year |
| Up to 500 venues | £899 a month | £8,990 a year |
| 500+ venues | Talk to us | |
Prices exclude VAT. Annual is ten months’ price. A 30-day free trial covers up to 10 venues. Single churches and halls are always free.
Start a 30-day portfolio trial Or talk to us
ChurchGuard provides tools and plain-English guidance to help you meet your duties; it is not a substitute for professional fire, security or legal advice, and it does not carry out inspections or tests for you. Martyn's Law is not yet in force. ChurchGuard is independent: it is not endorsed by any denomination, police force, fire and rescue service or government body.