Fire marshals (also known as fire wardens) play a crucial role in workplace safety, ensuring staff know what to do in an emergency and that evacuation procedures run smoothly. This guide explains what the role involves, the six key responsibilities you will take on, and what training is required to become an effective fire warden.
A fire marshal is a designated member of staff responsible for fire safety within a workplace or public building. Their role is to assist in the safe evacuation of occupants during a fire emergency, as well as to carry out ongoing fire prevention and safety duties as part of their day-to-day responsibilities.
Fire marshals are not firefighters. They are not expected to tackle fires directly or put themselves at risk. Their primary function is to act as a first point of contact in an emergency – guiding people to safety, conducting roll calls at assembly points, and liaising with the emergency services when they arrive.
The role is typically assigned to employees who are willing and able to take on additional responsibilities. In the UK, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires employers to appoint one or more “competent persons” to assist with fire safety – fire marshals fulfil this requirement.
Conducting Fire Risk Checks
Fire marshals are responsible for carrying out regular fire risk checks in their designated area of the building. This includes identifying and reporting potential fire hazards — such as blocked fire exits, overloaded sockets, improperly stored flammable materials, or faulty equipment and ensuring they are addressed promptly.
These checks are not the same as a formal fire risk assessment, which must be carried out by a qualified professional. However, the day-to-day vigilance of fire marshals forms an essential layer of protection between formal assessments and helps prevent hazards from going unnoticed.
Maintaining Fire Safety Equipment
Fire marshals are expected to monitor the condition of fire safety equipment within their area. This includes checking that fire extinguishers are in their correct positions and have not been discharged or tampered with, that fire alarm call points are unobstructed and clearly signposted, and that emergency lighting and fire doors are functioning correctly.
Any defects or concerns should be reported immediately to the responsible person or facilities team. Fire marshals are not typically expected to service or repair equipment themselves (that is the role of a qualified fire safety engineer) but their regular checks help ensure issues are caught early.
Assisting in Evacuation Procedures
When a fire alarm sounds, the fire marshal’s most visible responsibility comes into effect. Fire marshals must guide occupants quickly and calmly to the nearest safe exit, ensuring that evacuation routes remain clear and that no one is left behind in their designated zone.
This includes carrying out a sweep of their area to check toilets, meeting rooms, and any other spaces where people may not have heard the alarm, before exiting themselves. Fire marshals must also be aware of any mobility-impaired individuals who may need additional assistance, and know the location of designated refuge points within the building.
Fire marshals should remain calm and authoritative during an evacuation, helping to prevent panic while moving people safely and efficiently out of the building.
Accounting for People at Assembly Points
Once an evacuation is complete, fire marshals are responsible for conducting a roll call or headcount at the designated assembly point. This involves confirming that all occupants from their area have evacuated safely and reporting any missing persons to the person in charge of the overall evacuation or to the fire service upon arrival.
This responsibility underscores the importance of fire marshals having an up-to-date understanding of who is present in the building on any given day including visitors, contractors, and temporary staff, and ensuring this information is factored into the evacuation process.
Supporting Fire Drills and Training
Fire marshals play an active role in organising and running fire drills, which should take place at least once a year in most workplaces (and more frequently in higher-risk environments or where staff turnover is high). Drills allow fire marshals to practise their own procedures, identify weaknesses in the evacuation plan, and ensure all staff are familiar with exit routes and assembly points.
Fire marshals may also be called upon to support induction training for new members of staff, briefing them on fire safety procedures, the location of fire exits and extinguishers, and what to do when the alarm sounds.
Promoting Fire Safety Awareness
Beyond emergency response, fire marshals have a broader responsibility to promote a culture of fire safety awareness in the workplace. This means encouraging colleagues to keep fire exits clear, report hazards, and take fire safety procedures seriously, not just during drills, but as a matter of everyday habit.
A fire marshal who is visible, approachable, and engaged with fire safety can make a significant difference to the overall safety culture of an organisation. This is a preventative role as much as a reactive one.
FAQs
What Training Does a Fire Warden Need?
There is no single nationally mandated fire marshal qualification in the UK, but the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires that anyone appointed to assist with fire safety is “competent” to do so. In practice, this means completing a recognised fire marshal training course.
A standard fire warden training course typically covers:
- The causes and behaviour of fire, including the fire triangle
- UK fire safety legislation and the duties of the responsible person
- Types of fire extinguisher and when (and when not) to use them
- Evacuation procedures and the role of the fire marshal during an emergency
- How to conduct fire risk checks and report hazards effectively
Training is typically delivered as a half-day course and can be carried out on-site or at a training centre. It should be refreshed every one to three years, or sooner if there are significant changes to the building layout, occupancy, or fire safety procedures.
Employers are responsible for ensuring their fire marshals receive appropriate training and that training records are maintained as part of their fire safety documentation.
How Many Fire Wardens Should a Workplace Have?
There is no fixed legal ratio for the number of fire marshals required per workplace, it depends on the findings of the building’s fire risk assessment. As a general guide, the National Fire Chiefs Council recommends one fire marshal per 20 members of staff in a low-risk environment such as a standard office, rising to one per 10 to 15 in higher-risk environments or where the layout is more complex.
Other factors that influence the number of fire marshals needed include:
- The size and layout of the building, including the number of floors and zones
- The number of occupants and whether staff work shifts
- The nature of the business and the level of fire risk involved
- The presence of vulnerable persons, visitors, or members of the public
It is also good practice to appoint deputy fire marshals or ensure sufficient cover during absences, so that the building is never left without a trained fire warden on the premises during working hours.
Are fire marshals legally required in the UK?
Yes, in practical terms. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the “responsible person” for any non-domestic premises to appoint one or more competent persons to assist with implementing fire safety measures. While the legislation does not use the specific term “fire marshal”, appointing trained fire wardens is the standard and widely accepted way of meeting this obligation. Failure to do so, and failure to maintain adequate fire safety procedures more broadly can result in enforcement action, prohibition notices, or prosecution.
Can a fire marshal receive additional equipment?
Yes. Fire marshals can be equipped with items to help them carry out their duties more effectively. Common examples include a high-visibility vest or armband to make them easily identifiable during an evacuation, a torch for use in low-light conditions, a clipboard or role card with key information (such as the evacuation procedure and roll call list), and in some environments, a radio or means of communication. The specific equipment provided should be guided by the fire risk assessment and the layout of the building.
Can a fire marshal refuse the role?
Employees cannot be forced to take on the fire marshal role, and it should always be assigned on a voluntary basis where possible. That said, if an employee is asked to become a fire marshal as part of their employment duties and refuses without reasonable grounds, this may constitute a failure to follow a reasonable management instruction. Employers should be sensitive to individuals with health conditions, disabilities, or personal circumstances that might make the role unsuitable for them, and should seek willing volunteers before turning to those who may have reservations.
Do fire marshals get paid extra?
There is no legal requirement to pay fire marshals additional remuneration for taking on the role. Whether extra pay or other benefits are provided is entirely at the discretion of the employer. In practice, most employers do not pay fire marshals an additional salary supplement, though some may offer incentives such as additional leave or recognition schemes. The role is generally considered part of the wider employment relationship and an expression of responsibility to colleagues — rather than a separately compensated function.
Get Your Team Trained by Fire Safety Experts
Understanding the role is one thing, being properly prepared to carry it out is another. Thameside Fire Protection’s fire warden training courses give your team the knowledge and confidence to act decisively when it matters most.
Led by industry experts with over 30 years of experience, our fire warden training covers everything from recognising fire hazards and understanding your legal responsibilities, to managing evacuations and conducting roll calls at assembly points. Courses are tailored to your organisation’s specific requirements and can be delivered at your own premises or at our head office in Basildon, Essex — whichever works best for your team.
We welcome groups of any size, and our flexible approach means training can be scheduled to suit your operations without disruption. Alongside fire warden training, we also offer fire extinguisher training, breathing apparatus training, confined space training, and a full range of first aid courses so your entire team can be equipped to respond effectively to any emergency.
Find out more about our fire warden training courses or get in touch to discuss your requirements.