SIA Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield SIA facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. When operating CCTV at a venue, what legislation governs how the footage is stored and used? → The Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR
2. Under the Prevention of Crime Act 1953, what is the maximum prison sentence for carrying an offensive weapon in a public place? → 4 years
3. Why should door supervisors avoid using jargon or slang when communicating with patrons? → Clear, simple language ensures understanding and reduces the chance of misinterpretation
4. Which body is responsible for enforcing the Equality Act 2010 in England, Scotland, and Wales? → The Equality and Human Rights Commission
5. What is the minimum temperature for most workplaces? → 13°C for physical work, 16°C for sedentary work
6. What must you do after physically removing a patron? → Record the incident in the log book
7. What are the five UK national threat levels in ascending order of severity? → LOW, MODERATE, SUBSTANTIAL, SEVERE, CRITICAL
8. What are the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning? → Headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and cherry-red skin colour in severe cases
9. What indicates successful de-escalation? → Relaxed body language and reduced voice volume
10. What does HVM stand for in the context of crowded places security? → Hostile Vehicle Mitigation
11. What is the primary purpose of physical intervention in door supervision? → To protect people from harm and prevent crime
12. Which approach is most effective when refusing entry to an intoxicated person? → Firmly but politely explain they cannot enter, offer alternatives like calling a taxi
13. Cannabis was reclassified in the UK in 2009 from Class C back to which class? → Class B
14. What is the most important element of professional conduct for a door supervisor when greeting customers at the entrance? → Making eye contact, smiling, and using a polite and welcoming tone of voice
15. What are the signs of shock that a door supervisor should recognise in an injured person? → Pale, cold, clammy skin, rapid shallow breathing, weak rapid pulse, nausea, and confusion
16. What does CBRN stand for in the context of emergency planning? → Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear
17. How should a door supervisor handle a situation where a patron is crying and distressed? → Show empathy, offer a quiet area, ask if they need help or want someone called
18. A door supervisor's radio call sign is 'Delta Three'. How should they correctly initiate a radio call to the control room (call sign 'Control')? → Control from Delta Three, message, over
19. A door supervisor witnesses a person committing theft in an adjacent retail unit. What power do they have? → They can make a citizen's arrest for theft, which is an indictable offence
20. What does PAT stand for? → Portable Appliance Testing — electrical safety checks on portable equipment
21. What is the responsibility of a door supervisor regarding fire exits? → Ensuring fire exits are clear, accessible, and that patrons know their location
22. Why is it important to communicate during physical intervention? → To tell the person what you're doing, give commands, and reassure them to gain compliance
23. A door supervisor discovers drug paraphernalia in a venue toilet. What should they do? → Leave it in place, photograph it, record the find, and notify management and police
24. What does 'invacuation' mean in emergency procedures? → Moving people INSIDE a building for protection rather than evacuating them outside
25. Under which legislation does a door supervisor derive the power to make a citizen's arrest in England and Wales? → Section 24A of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
26. What must a door supervisor be able to demonstrate to justify a citizen's arrest if challenged legally? → That an indictable offence was being or had been committed and that arrest was necessary
27. How often should fire drills be conducted in a licensed venue? → At least every 6 months, with new staff participating as soon as possible
28. What does the acronym 'LEAPS' stand for in the context of communication skills for security professionals? → Listen, Empathise, Ask, Paraphrase, Summarise
29. What is the legal requirement for first aid provision in a workplace? → Employers must provide adequate first aid equipment, facilities, and trained personnel
30. In an incident log, what does the term 'contemporaneous notes' mean? → Notes made at the time of, or as soon as practicable after, the incident they describe