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 10.1 incorporates additional venue‑specific operational hazards relating to safety boat operations, harbour transit, pontoon access, shared public pathways, balcony viewing areas, and sustainability measures. These additions ensure full alignment with current Plas Heli operational practice and the Event Management Plan.

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, rigging and preparation zones, car parks, pontoons, quayside, and the beach launching zone. 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.

The route from the secure boat park to the beach passes through a gated washdown area and along a shared public access path. This path is used by members of the public and requires careful management during events.

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. Balconies overlooking the launching area may be used by spectators and must be considered in evacuation planning.

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
• Safety boat operations and harbour transit (fuel, engines, collision risk)
• Pontoon access and evacuation point (blocked walkways, fuel spills)
• Shared public access path between washdown area and beach (crowding, obstruction)
• Balcony viewing areas overlooking the launching zone (occupancy and evacuation)

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.
• Competitors Using Shared Access Routes: Individuals moving boats between the secure boat park, gated washdown area, and the public beach via a shared path used by members of the public.

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.
• Beach launch and quayside areas monitored by stewards and safety boat crews.

Firefighting Equipment

• Appropriate extinguishers located in catering areas, corridors, and key operational points.
• Fire blankets available in bar and catering zones.
• Extinguishers located at the pontoon access gate.
• 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.
• Pontoon access gate kept clear as a designated casualty evacuation point.

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.
• Single‑use plastics discouraged; users expected to bring refillable water bottles.

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.
• No refuelling permitted on pontoons or quayside.
• Safety boats must comply with harbour rules: maximum speed 4 knots, remain within the marked channel, and must not pass under the main bridge to Hafan Marina.
• Safety boat crews briefed on the Training Wall hazard, which must never be crossed even at high tide.

Beach Launch, Shared Path and Pontoons

• Dinghy launching and recovery follows a controlled route from the secure boat park, through the gated washdown area, along a shared public access path, and onto the beach.
• Stewards positioned along the shared path during launch and recovery.
• Boats and trolleys must not be left unattended on the shared path or in front of gates.
• The pontoon access gate is a designated casualty evacuation point and must be kept clear at all times.
• Boats on Plas Heli pontoons must be securely berthed to prevent movement during tide or wind changes.
• Walkways on pontoons and quayside must remain unobstructed.

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.

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

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: Race offices, briefing tents, and other installations must be positioned to maintain clear escape routes and access for emergency services.
• Balcony and Viewing Areas: Balconies overlooking the launching area may be used by spectators. Their occupancy must be monitored, escape routes kept clear, and evacuation procedures considered in event planning.
• Safety Boat Operations: Event plans must include harbour‑transit rules, pontoon berthing arrangements, and casualty evacuation procedures via the pontoon access gate.
• Shared Public Access Path: The route between the washdown area and the beach is shared with the public and requires stewarding, clear briefings, and careful movement of boats and trolleys.
• 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.

Related Document

For guidance on hazard prioritisation and risk scoring, see the Risk Scoring System (RAG / Matrix) .

Document Control

Version: 10.1

Published: 21 September 2026

Last Updated: 23 September 2026

Next Review: 21 September 2027

Document Owner: Plas Heli Cyf

Responsible Person: Duty Manager