Standard tier vs enhanced tier: which one are you in?
Your tier is set by the greatest number of people reasonably expected at the same time. A qualifying premises with 200 to 799 people is standard tier; 800 or more is enhanced tier. Standard tier asks for four procedures with no equipment and no mandatory document. Enhanced tier adds measures across four more areas, a mandatory tailored document, and a senior individual if the responsible person is an organisation. A qualifying event of 800 or more with controlled access is enhanced tier. Under 200 is out of scope on capacity (as at 12 July 2026).
The threshold at a glance
| Capacity band | Tier | What it requires |
|---|---|---|
| Under 200 | Out of scope | Out of scope on capacity. Re-check by counting the greatest number at once, including staff. |
| 200 to 799 | Standard | Notify the SIA; procedures for evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication. No works or equipment. |
| 800 or more | Enhanced | Standard duties plus measures, a mandatory document, and a senior individual for organisations. |
What standard tier requires
Standard tier is deliberately light. If your premises has a Schedule 1 use and 200 to 799 people reasonably expected at the same time, you must:
- Notify the SIA that you are responsible for the premises.
- Have appropriate public protection procedures in place, so far as reasonably practicable, across four areas: evacuation (getting people safely out), invacuation (bringing people into or to safer parts of the premises), lockdown (securing the premises to control entry and exit), and communication (alerting people to danger).
The Act does not require physical alterations or the purchase of equipment for these procedures, and there is no statutory requirement for a written document, although the procedures must be communicated to those who would carry them out, and a short written summary is good practice. See the four standard procedures for the detail.
What enhanced tier adds
If 800 or more people may reasonably be expected at the same time, you are in the enhanced tier, and everything above still applies, plus:
- Public protection measures, so far as reasonably practicable, across four areas: monitoring (identifying and reporting suspicious behaviour or items, for example awareness, CCTV, monitoring systems); movement (protecting people entering, within and exiting, for example screening, barriers, observation); physical safety and security (for example stand-off zones, safety glass, hostile vehicle mitigation); and information security (protecting information such as floor plans that could aid an attacker).
- A mandatory tailored document recording the procedures and measures, in place and planned, and the reasoning for how they reduce vulnerability and harm, kept up to date and provided to the SIA within 30 days of any revision.
- A senior individual, if the responsible person is an organisation rather than an individual: a director, partner or equivalent must be designated to oversee compliance.
Qualifying events are enhanced tier. An event of 800 or more people with access controlled by ticket, payment, membership, invitation or permission is treated as enhanced tier, even if the venue itself is not otherwise a qualifying premises.
How to work out your number
Because the tier turns entirely on the number, getting the count right matters. The assessment is of the greatest number reasonably expected at the same time, from time to time, and it must include staff and volunteers, not just the public. Read how to count your capacity for the accepted methods and the common mistakes.
Frequently asked questions
What number puts me in the enhanced tier?
800 or more individuals reasonably expected at the same time. Standard tier is 200 to 799. A qualifying event of 800 or more with controlled access is also enhanced tier.
Do I need a written document at standard tier?
No. There is no statutory requirement for a written document at standard tier, though procedures must be communicated and a short written summary is good practice. A tailored document is mandatory only at enhanced tier.
Does standard tier require equipment or building work?
No. The Act does not require physical alterations or the purchase of equipment for standard tier procedures.
Sources
- Home Office statutory guidance The tiers, thresholds and duties. gov.uk statutory guidance
- Enhanced duty requirements factsheet The four measure areas, the document and the senior individual. gov.uk enhanced duty factsheet
- Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 The Act itself. legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2025/10
Content current as at 12 July 2026. Guidance can be updated before commencement; re-check the primary source before acting.
Not sure which tier you are in?
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