Fire Marshal Training

What does the Fire Marshal course cover?

The course lasts about four hours, can accommodate up to 10 delegates and is accredited by the UK Fire Association. It provides a practical introduction to fire safety and the responsibilities of a Fire Marshal, including:

• Fire safety legislation – understanding the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the role of the Responsible Person.

• How fires start and spread – an introduction to the chemistry of fire, the fire triangle and the ways fire can spread.

• Common causes of workplace fires – identifying potential fire hazards and the importance of good housekeeping.

• The Fire Marshal's role – understanding proactive and reactive responsibilities and how to support effective fire safety arrangements.

• Fire classifications and extinguishers – learning about the different classes of fire and the types of extinguisher used to tackle them.

• Workplace fire safety checks – recognising issues such as blocked escape routes, wedged-open fire doors, obstructed fire equipment and poor housekeeping.

• Evacuation procedures – understanding what to do when the alarm sounds, including checking designated areas and directing people towards safe exits and the assembly point.

• People who may need assistance – understanding the importance of arrangements such as Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs).

• Fire safety equipment and procedures – identifying fire alarm call points, emergency lighting, fire exits, signage and firefighting equipment.

• Fire drills and fire safety records – understanding the importance of regular drills and keeping the Fire Log Book and Fire Risk Assessment up to date.

• Practical extinguisher training – where appropriate, delegates have the opportunity to extinguish fires on a gas simulator using water and CO₂ extinguishers.

• Practical workplace walkaround – looking at your own workplace to identify fire safety equipment, escape routes, potential hazards and areas where improvements may be needed.

Understanding the Fire Marshal's role

A Fire Marshal has an important role in helping to keep the workplace safe.

Delegates learn about the proactive measures they can take to help prevent problems, such as keeping escape routes clear, checking that fire doors and safety signage are accessible, identifying poor housekeeping and reporting concerns to the person responsible for fire safety.

The course also covers the reactive role during an emergency, including raising the alarm, evacuating the designated area, directing people towards the appropriate exit and helping with the roll call at the assembly point.

Most importantly, delegates learn that they should never put themselves or others at risk when carrying out their duties.

Practical Fire Extinguisher Training

Understanding which extinguisher to use is an important part of the course.

Delegates learn about the different types of fire extinguishers and their appropriate uses. Where appropriate, the training also gives delegates the opportunity to extinguish a fire using our gas fire simulator, with practical experience using water and carbon dioxide extinguishers.

This practical element helps delegates understand how firefighting equipment works and when it may, or may not, be appropriate to use it.

Training at your workplace

Because the course is site-specific, delegates have the opportunity to examine their own workplace as part of the training.

They can identify:

• Fire alarm call points

• Fire escape routes and signage

• Emergency lighting

• Fire extinguishers and fire blankets

• Potential fire hazards

• Housekeeping issues

• Emergency procedures

This helps turn the training into something practical and relevant to the building where they work.

Certificate

Everyone who successfully completes the Fire Marshal Training course receives a certificate valid for three years.