Fire Marshal FAQs

There is no difference between a fire marshal and a fire warden. They are two names for the same role.

A fire warden (sometimes called a fire marshal) is a trained employee responsible for helping to prevent fires and ensuring people are kept safe if a fire occurs.

Their role includes spotting fire hazards, supporting fire safety procedures, helping with evacuations, and assisting the responsible person by carrying out routine fire safety checks and reporting concerns.

A fire marshal is a designated employee trained to manage fire safety, conduct evacuations, and ensure compliance with fire safety procedures. They play a key role in preventing fire risks and coordinating responses during emergencies.

All employers are required under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 to appoint at least one “competent person” to manage fire safety.

In very small workplaces or those with minimal fire risks, the employer or another responsible person may take on this role without the need for formally designated fire marshals.

In workplaces with multiple employees, higher risks, or larger premises will require trained fire marshals to ensure adequate fire safety.

A fire marshal is responsible for helping to prevent fires, supporting safe evacuation during an emergency, and assisting with fire safety management in the workplace.

Responsibilities include carrying out routine fire safety checks, identifying and reporting hazards, helping staff understand fire procedures, and guiding people to safety during a fire alarm or evacuation.

In the workplace, fire marshals conduct fire risk assessments, ensure fire safety equipment is maintained, oversee evacuation procedures, and assist employees during emergencies. They also provide guidance on fire prevention and liaise with emergency services if needed.

A fire warden must understand fire prevention, evacuation procedures, and the correct use of fire safety equipment.

They should be familiar with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, conduct fire risk assessments, and assist employees during emergencies. This knowledge ensures effective fire safety management and compliance.

Fire marshal training involves learning about fire prevention, evacuation procedures, fire risk assessments, and the roles and responsibilities of a fire marshal. It also includes practical training on using fire extinguishers and understanding fire safety legislation, such as the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Yes. Praxis42 Fire Marshal (Fire Warden) Training has been designed by respected fire safety consultants with a background in firefighting. The course is IOSH and CPD Approved and provides you with the comprehensive knowledge you need to carry out your role with confidence.

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, employers must provide an employee with ‘adequate fire safety training…in order to safeguard himself and other relevant persons on the premises.’

All employees must be provided with basic fire safety training, but fire marshals have additional responsibilities and so they require additional training to be able to effectively safeguard others.

In addition, the Order states that employers must appoint one or more ‘competent persons’ to assist in undertaking preventative and protective measures. A ‘competent person’ is defined under the Order as someone who ‘has sufficient training…to enable him to properly implement the measures’.

Training should be refreshed at least every three years, so knowledge is fresh in a fire marshal’s mind, and they are able to carry out their duties competently.

If there are changes to staff, procedures, or the premises then every employee should receive fire safety refresher training, including the fire marshal.

Fire marshal training is essential for ensuring workplace safety and compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

By equipping fire marshals with the skills to prevent and respond to fire emergencies, training significantly reduces the risk of injury, property damage, and fatalities.

Fire marshals play a crucial role in implementing fire safety procedures, conducting regular inspections, raising awareness among colleagues, and effectively evacuating occupants in an emergency.

Fire marshal training duration depends on the delivery format. Our online fire marshal training takes approximately 35–40 minutes to complete at the learner’s own pace, while in-person training lasts half a day (around 3.5–4 hours).

A fire marshal certificate does not have a fixed legal expiry date in the UK. However, refresher training is recommended every 1 to 3 years, or sooner if there are changes to the workplace, fire risks, procedures, or legislation.

Regular refreshers help ensure fire marshals remain competent and confident in carrying out their role.

Yes, fire wardens do need training.

In the UK, employers have a legal duty under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 to ensure fire wardens are given adequate training to carry out their role safely and effectively, including understanding fire risks, evacuation procedures, and emergency duties

Anyone can be trained as a fire marshal. However, employers should consider the responsibilities and skills involved when choosing someone for the role.

Becoming a fire warden is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in maintaining workplace safety and protecting lives in the event of a fire emergency.

Fire wardens are trained to identify and mitigate fire hazards, conduct regular inspections, and ensure compliance with fire safety regulations.

By assuming this responsibility, you not only contribute to the overall safety culture of your workplace but also develop valuable skills in emergency response, leadership, and communication.

The number of fire marshals required depends on the workplace size, layout, fire risks, and number of employees. A common guideline is at least one fire marshal per 20 employees, ensuring adequate coverage for all areas and shifts.

There is no legal requirement for fire marshals (or fire wardens) to be paid extra in the UK.

Whether a fire marshal receives additional pay depends on the employer’s policy. In many organisations, the role is carried out alongside normal duties with no extra payment, while some employers may offer an allowance, honorarium, or recognise the responsibility through role weighting or progression.

A fire marshal needs basic, non-specialist equipment to support safe evacuation and fire safety duties. This commonly includes:

• High-visibility vest or armband clearly marked Fire Marshal or Fire Warden, so they can be easily identified during an evacuation
• Whistle or loudhailer (where appropriate) to help give clear instructions in noisy environments
• Torch, particularly useful in the event of poor lighting or a power failure
• Access to fire safety information, such as evacuation routes, sweep checklists, or an evacuation register

Fire marshals are not expected to carry firefighting equipment or put themselves at risk. Any equipment provided should reflect the findings of the workplace fire risk assessment and the nature of the premises.

No, a fire marshal is not expected to fight fires.

A fire marshal’s primary role is life safety, not firefighting. Their main responsibilities during an incident are to support safe evacuation, guide people to exits, and report information to the person in charge or the Fire and Rescue Service.

Fire marshals may be trained to use portable fire extinguishers to tackle a very small incipient fire only if it is safe to do so and helps clear an escape route. They should never put themselves at risk or delay evacuation.

Life safety always takes priority over property protection.

A PEEP (Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan) is an individual plan that sets out how a specific person will be safely evacuated from a building in an emergency.

PEEPs are used for people who may need assistance during an evacuation, such as those with mobility, visual, hearing, cognitive, or temporary impairments (including pregnancy or injury). The plan identifies the support, equipment, and procedures needed so the person can leave the premises safely without delay.

A fire marshal’s role in a PEEP (Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan) is to support the plan during an evacuation, not to design or own it.

In practice, this means the fire marshal:

• Is aware of who has a PEEP in their area
• Understands what assistance or procedures are required
• Acts in line with the plan during an evacuation, where it is safe to do so
• Reports any issues with the plan or evacuation to the responsible person

“Sweeping” a building means a fire marshal systematically checking their designated area during an evacuation to make sure everyone has left safely.

This involves checking all rooms and spaces (including offices, toilets, storerooms and plant rooms) as they move towards the exit. Once an area has been checked, doors are usually closed (not locked) to help limit the spread of fire and smoke, before the fire marshal exits the building themselves.

When the Fire and Rescue Service arrives, a fire marshal will be asked to provide clear, information to support their response.

This includes:

• Whether everyone has been evacuated or if anyone is believed to remain inside
• The last known location of anyone unaccounted for
• The location of the fire or alarm activation, if known
• Any specific hazards in the building, such as gas cylinders, flammable materials, or chemical stores
• Relevant building information, for example access issues or high-risk areas

Fire marshals should then follow instructions from the Fire and Rescue Service and must not re-enter the building unless told it is safe to do so.