Fire Marshals: Keeping Your Workplace Fire Safe
A workplace fire can have devastating consequences – not just in terms of property damage, but also the potential risk to lives and business. That’s why every organisation must take fire safety seriously and ensure competent people are in place to manage it effectively. One of the most important roles in fire prevention and emergency response is Fire Marshals (or Fire Wardens).
Why Fire Marshals Matter
A Fire Marshal plays a vital part in keeping your workplace and your people safe.
With the right training and awareness, they can:
- Identify potential fire hazards before they become a problem.
- Implement preventive and protective measures.
- Carry out regular fire drills and evacuation checks.
- Ensure fire extinguishers, alarms, and exits are maintained and accessible.
- Provide leadership during a fire emergency – keeping calm, raising the alarm, and directing safe evacuation.
Their proactive presence significantly reduces the risk of fire-related incidents.
Is a Fire Marshal a Legal Requirement?
Yes – under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (and the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006), every business must nominate competent persons to help implement fire safety measures.
While the legislation doesn’t use the exact term Fire Marshal, appointing trained Fire Marshals is one of the most effective ways to meet these legal requirements and demonstrate compliance.
What Does a Fire Marshal Do?
A Fire Marshal’s duties include:
- Assisting with fire evacuations and ensuring everyone reaches safety.
- Raising the alarm and contacting emergency services.
- Guiding people to the designated assembly point.
- Helping with fire drills and ensuring all staff know what to do in an emergency.
- Taking roll call to ensure all staff and visitors are accounted for.
- Checking fire safety measures regularly – such as:
- Fire doors and emergency exits.
- Fire extinguishers and alarms.
- Fire safety signage and lighting.
- Emergency lighting systems.
- General housekeeping.
- Electrical equipment testing (PAT).
A trained Fire Marshal ensures that fire prevention, preparation, and response all work together smoothly.
How Many Fire Marshals Do You Need?
The number of Fire Marshals required depends on your building, workforce, and fire risk level.
Here’s a general guide:
Low Risk – 1 Fire Marshal per 50 people.
Medium Risk – 1 Fire Marshal per 20 people.
High Risk -1 Fire Marshal per 15 people.
You should also consider:
- Number of floors – at least one Fire Marshal per floor.
- Shift patterns – full coverage for every shift.
- Absence cover – enough Fire Marshals to allow for holidays and sickness.
Your fire risk assessment should confirm exactly how many trained Fire Marshals your workplace needs.
Training and Competence
Fire Marshals must be properly trained to carry out their role effectively. Well-trained Fire Marshals give employees confidence and help your business stay compliant.
Looking to train your Fire Marshals quickly and effectively?
Our Fire Warden Online Course is the perfect solution for ensuring your staff understand their fire safety duties.
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This short, engaging course covers:
🖥️ Start Your Training Today Only £20.00 +VAT |
Give your team the knowledge and confidence to act quickly, calmly, and compliantly when it matters most.
✅ Final Takeaway
Fire Marshals are the foundation of a strong workplace fire safety strategy. By training the right people and ensuring adequate coverage, you’re not only complying with the law – you’re helping protect your business, your staff, and your future.
