Silecroft Beach Car Park Risk Assessment

Whicham Parish Council

Policies

Fire Risk Assessment

Silecroft Beach Public Car Park with Permission for Up to 5 Camper Vans

Assessment Type: Fire Risk Assessment
Premises: Public Car Park with Overnight Camper Van Parking (Maximum 5 Vans)
Assessor: Lesley Cooper
Assessment Date: 29 July 2026
Review Date: July 2027
Responsible Person: Lesley Cooper, Clerk/RFO
Address: Silecroft Beach Car Park, Silecroft LA18 5NT

1. Premises Description

Open-air public car park used primarily for vehicle parking. The site has permission for a maximum of five camper vans to occupy designated parking bays. The car park may operate on a 24-hour basis and may include lighting, payment machines, refuse facilities, and ancillary signage.

There are no permanent sleeping accommodation structures on site; however, occupants may sleep within camper vans overnight.

2. Relevant Persons at Risk

Persons at Risk

• Camper van occupants.
• Members of the public using the car park.
• Employees, attendants, enforcement officers and maintenance contractors.
• Emergency service personnel attending an incident.
• Disabled persons, elderly persons and children.

Special Considerations

• Sleeping occupants may have delayed awareness of fire.
• Users may be unfamiliar with the site layout.
• Mobility-impaired persons may require additional evacuation time.

3. Fire Hazards

Sources of Ignition

Potential ignition sources include:

• Vehicle engines and exhaust systems.
• Electrical faults within camper vans.
• Lithium-ion batteries.
• Battery charging equipment.
• Cooking appliances within camper vans.
• Gas appliances and heaters.
• Smoking materials.
• Deliberate ignition/arson.

Risk Rating
Medium

Sources of Fuel

Potential fuel sources include:

• Diesel, petrol and LPG vehicle fuels.
• Camper van furnishings and bedding.
• Plastic vehicle components.
• Waste and refuse.
• Clothing and personal effects.
• Cooking oils.
• LPG cylinders fitted to vehicles.

Risk Rating
Medium

Sources of Oxygen

• Natural outdoor atmosphere.
• Compressed gas cylinders.
• Ventilation openings in camper vans.

Risk Rating
Normal

4. Existing Fire Safety Measures

Site Layout

• Open-air environment reducing smoke accumulation.
• Designated camper van bays identified.
• Vehicle movement controlled through marked parking arrangements.

Access for Fire Service

• Vehicular access available from public highway.
• Adequate turning and manoeuvring space required.
• No parking permitted that obstructs emergency access routes.

Separation Distances

Recommended: Minimum 6 metres between occupied camper vans where practicable.

If site constraints exist, fire-resistant spacing arrangements or occupancy restrictions should be considered.

Current Provision: 3 metres between vehicles.

Each vehicle expected to carry either a fire extinguisher or fire blanket.

No external awnings, wind breaks or furniture permitted.

Lighting

There is no lighting on the car park.

Signage

Emergency contact information displayed.

Site rules emailed on booking confirmation form regarding fire safety.

5. Means of Escape

As an open-air site:

• Occupants can generally escape in multiple directions.
• No enclosed escape routes are present.
• Routes to public highway should remain unobstructed at all times.

Assessment

Escape arrangements are considered satisfactory provided:

• Vehicle positioning does not impede movement.

Risk Rating
Low

6. Fire Detection and Warning

The site does not have a communal fire alarm system.

Fire detection relies on:

• Occupants identifying fire within their own vehicle.
• Immediate contact with the Fire and Rescue Service via 999.

Recommendations

• Display emergency contact instructions.
• Encourage occupants to maintain smoke and carbon monoxide alarms within vehicles.

Risk Rating
Medium

7. Fire-Fighting Equipment

Portable extinguishers for an open car park are generally not essential unless staff are routinely present.

Recommendation

Occupants should not be expected to tackle significant vehicle or camper van fires and should prioritise evacuation.

Risk Rating
Low to Medium

8. Management of LPG and Camper Van Risks

Hazards

Camper vans may contain:

• LPG cylinders.
• Cooking appliances.
• Heating appliances.
• Leisure batteries and electrical systems.

Controls

• LPG systems maintained in accordance with manufacturer’s guidance.
• No storage of spare gas cylinders outside vehicles.
• No external storage of combustible materials adjacent to vehicles.

Additional Conditions

• No open fires, fire pits or barbeques.
• No fireworks or sky lanterns.
• No charging of large battery banks from external temporary installations.

9. Arson and Deliberate Fire Setting

Hazards

• Open public access.
• Vehicles and refuse may provide targets for vandalism.

Existing Controls

• Routine inspections.
• CCTV (if installed).
• CCTV will be installed in next 3 months.

Recommendations

• Secure refuse storage.
• Consider CCTV coverage of camper van area. (in process of being installed should be completed in next 3 months)

Risk Rating
Medium

10. Emergency Plan

In the event of fire:

• Raise the alarm by shouting “Fire”.
• Call 999 immediately.
• State site address and location details.
• Evacuate all persons to a safe distance.
• Do not attempt to move involved vehicles.
• Keep access routes clear for emergency services.
• If LPG cylinders are suspected, maintain an extended safety distance and inform Fire & Rescue Service.

11. Significant Findings

Positive Findings

• Open-air environment reduces life risk associated with smoke spread.
• Multiple evacuation routes available.
• Limited number of camper vans (maximum 5).

Key Risks Identified

• Fire involving camper van LPG installation.
• Electrical fires from batteries or charging systems.
• Vehicle fire spread due to insufficient spacing.
• Deliberate ignition or vandalism.
• Sleeping occupants with delayed fire awareness.

12. Recommended Actions

Priority Action Timescale

High Designate and mark camper van bays completed
High Ensure emergency vehicle access maintained completed
High Prohibit barbeques, fire pits and open fires In place
High Display emergency procedures and site address completed
Medium Provide CCTV or enhanced surveillance if risk warrants 3 months
Medium Confirm minimum separation distances between vans completed
Medium Install emergency contact signage completed
Low Consider provision of extinguishers at key locations As required

13. Overall Fire Risk Assessment

Likelihood of Fire

Medium

Consequences of Fire

Medium

Overall Risk Rating

? Moderate Risk

The proposed use of a public car park for up to five camper vans is considered acceptable from a fire safety perspective provided adequate spacing, emergency access, site rules, and management arrangements are implemented and maintained.

Assessor’s Conclusion

Subject to the recommendations contained within this assessment, the fire risk is considered tolerable and capable of being managed through normal operational controls.

Assessor Signature: ___Lesley Cooper
Date: 29 July 2026