1. Title

Fire Risk Assessment – Plas Heli

2. Introduction

This Fire Risk Assessment sets out the fire safety arrangements in place at Plas Heli to protect customers, visitors, volunteers, competitors, contractors, and catering staff. It identifies potential fire hazards, evaluates associated risks, and outlines the control measures used to reduce the likelihood of fire and ensure safe evacuation.

Version 10.0 represents a major update and re‑write of the previous paper‑based assessment (Version 9.3). The document has now been transitioned to a fully maintained web‑based format to improve accessibility, ensure faster updates, and provide clearer integration with the Plas Heli Safety Documents system. This online version is the authoritative and most up‑to‑date source for all fire safety information relating to the venue.

This assessment supports compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and forms part of Plas Heli’s wider commitment to maintaining a safe environment for all users of the facility and site.

3. Responsible Persons

• Responsible Person: Plas Heli Cyf
• Duty Manager: Name / role
• Event Safety Officer: Name / role
• Fire Marshals (event‑specific): As appointed by organiser

4. Premises Description

Plas Heli is a multi‑use maritime events centre located on the waterfront in Pwllheli. The premises comprise a modern two‑storey building with event, training, and hospitality spaces, together with extensive external areas used for marine activities and event operations.

The main building includes the hall, bar and catering facilities, meeting and training rooms, office space, storage areas, and welfare facilities. The building is served by multiple designated escape routes, external stairways, and clearly signed exits leading directly to open air.

External areas include the boat compound, slipway, rigging and preparation zones, car parks, and temporary event infrastructure as required. Fuel storage for boats and outboard engines is located in designated outdoor areas away from public circulation routes. Waste and recycling facilities are positioned externally and managed to prevent fire loading.

During sailing events and at other times, the external areas may also accommodate caravans, motorhomes, campervans, and tents. These units increase temporary occupancy levels and introduce additional fire loading, electrical hook‑up use, and fuel storage considerations. Their positioning must ensure clear access routes and must not obstruct evacuation paths or emergency service access.

Assembly points are located in the North Car Park and South Compound depending on the nature of the event and the occupancy of the site. These locations provide safe, open areas for evacuation and accountability.

5. Fire Hazards

• Electrical equipment
• Catering equipment
• Fuel storage (boats, outboards, petrol cans)
• Hot works (if applicable)
• Smoking areas
• Temporary event structures
• Vehicle movements
• Waste storage

6. People at Risk

A wide range of people may be present at Plas Heli during normal operations and organised events. The Fire Risk Assessment considers the needs of all individuals who may be affected by fire, including those who may require additional assistance during an evacuation.

• Customers and Visitors: Members of the public using the building, bar, catering areas, training rooms, or attending events.
• Competitors and Participants: Individuals involved in sailing events, training activities, briefings, and shore‑based preparations.
• Volunteers: The primary workforce at Plas Heli, including Duty Managers, event officials, race management teams, beach and slipway volunteers, and operational support personnel.
• Catering Staff: The only paid staff regularly present on site, working in the bar and catering areas.
• Contractors: Maintenance workers, service engineers, and external suppliers.
• Children and Young People: Junior sailors, school groups, and visiting youth organisations.
• Persons with Disabilities or Reduced Mobility: Individuals requiring assistance or alternative routes.

The Duty Manager and Event Safety Officer must ensure that all persons at risk are considered when planning events, allocating marshals, and confirming escape routes and assembly points.

7. Control Measures

Plas Heli implements a range of control measures to reduce the likelihood of fire and to ensure safe evacuation. These measures apply across the building, catering areas, external compound, and temporary event infrastructure.

Detection and Warning

• Automatic smoke and heat detectors installed throughout the building.
• Manual call points positioned at key exit routes.
• Fire alarm system tested regularly and faults reported immediately.
• Alarm activation procedures briefed to Duty Managers and volunteers.

Firefighting Equipment

• Appropriate extinguishers located in catering areas, corridors, and key operational points.
• Fire blankets available in bar and catering zones.
• Volunteers and catering staff trained in basic extinguisher use.
• Equipment inspected and maintained in accordance with service schedules.

Escape Routes

• Multiple clearly signed escape routes from all occupied areas.
• External stairways and doors provide direct access to open air.
• Routes checked before events to ensure they are unobstructed.
• Temporary structures positioned to maintain clear evacuation paths.

Emergency Lighting

• Emergency lighting installed along internal escape routes.
• Regular testing ensures illumination during power failure.

Housekeeping and Waste Management

• Daily removal of waste from internal areas and catering zones.
• No storage permitted in corridors, stairways, or escape routes.
• External waste bins positioned away from the building to reduce fire loading.

Fuel and Equipment Safety

• Boat fuel and outboard petrol stored only in designated external areas.
• No smoking permitted near fuel storage or preparation zones.
• Spill kits available and volunteers briefed on safe handling.

Training and Briefing

• Duty Managers and key volunteers briefed on fire procedures before events.
• Catering staff trained in safe use of cooking equipment and emergency actions.
• Event organisers responsible for ensuring visiting teams understand evacuation routes.

These control measures are reviewed regularly and updated as required to ensure compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

8. Evacuation Procedure

• Raise the alarm
• Call 999
• Evacuate via signed routes
• Proceed to the designated assembly point
• Report to the Duty Manager or Event Safety Officer
• Do not re‑enter the building until authorised

8.1 Emergency Actions

8.2 Hazard & Mitigation Summary Table

The following table summarises the main fire hazards identified at Plas Heli and the mitigation measures in place.

9. Event‑Specific Considerations

Certain events hosted at Plas Heli may introduce additional fire risks or require enhanced controls. These considerations must be reviewed by the Duty Manager and Event Safety Officer before each event to ensure that appropriate measures are in place.

• Temporary Accommodation: Caravans, motorhomes, campervans, and tents may be present during events or at other times. Their placement must maintain clear evacuation routes, avoid clustering around ignition sources, and ensure safe spacing between units.
• Electrical Hook‑Ups: Hook‑up points for caravans and motorhomes must be used safely, with cables routed to avoid trip hazards and overloading.
• Fuel Storage: Some units may store small quantities of fuel for generators or cooking. These must be managed in accordance with site rules and kept away from ignition sources.
• Temporary Structures: Marquees, race offices, briefing tents, and other installations must be positioned to maintain clear escape routes and access for emergency services.
• Visiting Class Associations: Some classes may have specific safety requirements or operational practices that need to be incorporated into the event plan.
• RYA / RYA Cymru Wales Expectations: National governing body guidance may require additional controls, reporting thresholds, or safety briefings.
• High‑Risk Activities: Activities such as welding, repairs, generator use, or electrical work must be risk‑assessed separately and monitored throughout the event.

Event organisers must work with Plas Heli volunteers to ensure all additional risks are identified, communicated, and controlled before the event begins.

10. Monitoring & Review

The Fire Risk Assessment is a live document and must be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains accurate and effective. Monitoring is carried out by the Duty Manager and Event Safety Officer as part of routine operations and event planning.

• Annual Review: The assessment is formally reviewed each year or sooner if required.
• Significant Change: A review is triggered whenever there are changes to the building layout, escape routes, equipment, or operational practices.
• Major Events: Large or high‑risk events may require temporary updates or additional controls which must be documented.
• Post‑Incident Review: Any fire‑related incident or near‑miss must be investigated and the assessment updated accordingly.
• Record Keeping: All reviews and updates are logged by the Duty Manager or Event Safety Officer.

These reviews ensure the Fire Risk Assessment remains current, effective, and aligned with operational changes at Plas Heli.

Document Control

Version: 10.0

Published: 21 September 2026

Last Updated: 21 September 2026

Next Review: 21 September 2027

Document Owner: Plas Heli Cyf

Responsible Person: Duty Manager

This version represents a major re‑write of the Plas Heli Fire Risk Assessment, transitioning from the previous paper‑based document (Version 9.3) to a fully maintained web‑based format. The web version ensures improved accessibility, faster updates, and clearer integration with the Plas Heli Safety Documents system.

© Plas Heli Cyf. All rights reserved. This Fire Risk Assessment is the property of Plas Heli Cyf and may not be reproduced, distributed, or modified without permission. Event organisers may reference this document for planning and compliance purposes but must ensure they are using the latest published version.

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