Fire Marshal Training: Who Needs It and When to Book

Every UK workplace needs people who know exactly what to do when the fire alarm sounds. Fire marshal training gives them that confidence, and it is a key part of meeting your legal duties as an employer.

A fire can spread through a building in minutes. When it does, the difference between an orderly evacuation and a dangerous one often comes down to a few trained members of staff who can take charge, check areas are clear and guide colleagues to safety. This guide explains why fire marshal training matters, who should attend, how many marshals you need, when to book and what to expect from the course.

What Is a Fire Marshal?

A fire marshal is a designated member of staff who supports the fire safety arrangements in your workplace. Day to day, they help prevent fires by spotting hazards, checking that escape routes are clear and reporting faulty equipment. In an emergency, they help coordinate the evacuation, sweep their designated area, guide people to the assembly point and pass information to the fire and rescue service.

You may also hear the term fire warden. The two titles mean the same thing, and the training is the same. At Office Test, our fire warden training is the course that prepares your staff for the fire marshal role.

Fire Marshal Training vs Fire Awareness Training

These two courses are often confused, but they serve different purposes.

Fire marshal training is for the people you appoint to take on specific responsibilities. It lasts around three hours and covers fire prevention, the fire triangle, how fire and smoke spread, fire extinguishers, fire safety signs, what to do when a fire breaks out and the duties of a marshal.

Fire awareness training is for everyone else. It is a shorter course, usually one to two hours, that gives all employees a basic understanding of fire risks in the workplace and what to do if a fire breaks out.

Most businesses need both. Your marshals lead the response, and the rest of your team knows how to follow it.

Is Fire Marshal Training a Legal Requirement?

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to almost all non-domestic premises in England and Wales. It places fire safety duties on the “responsible person”, which is usually the employer, the owner or whoever controls the premises. The Order requires the responsible person to appoint one or more competent persons to help implement fire safety and evacuation procedures. It also requires them to give staff suitable and sufficient fire safety training.

The law does not use the words “fire marshal”, but appointing trained marshals is the most common and practical way to meet these duties. Since October 2023, the responsible person must also keep a written record of the people appointed to help with fire safety. In practice, this is your list of fire marshals.

Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own legislation, the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010. Both place similar duties on employers.

Failing to comply can lead to enforcement notices, unlimited fines and, in the most serious cases, imprisonment. More importantly, untrained staff put lives at risk.

Who Should Attend Fire Marshal Training?

A good fire marshal is someone who is regularly on site, knows the building well and can stay calm and communicate clearly under pressure. Many businesses choose office managers, team leaders, facilities staff or receptionists, but the right person does not need to be senior. What matters is that they are available and willing to take on the role.

When choosing your marshals, think about how your workplace actually operates. If you run shifts, every shift needs trained cover. If staff work hybrid patterns, make sure you have marshals on site on quieter days as well as busy ones. If your premises are spread over several floors or buildings, each area should have someone responsible for it.

How Many Fire Marshals Do You Need?

There is no fixed ratio set in law. The number should be based on the findings of your fire risk assessment, which considers the size and layout of your premises, the number of people on site, the level of fire risk and whether any occupants need extra help to evacuate.

As a general guide, many low-risk workplaces such as offices appoint around one fire marshal for every 20 people. Higher-risk environments, such as sites that store flammable materials or premises open to the public, will usually need more. Always allow for holidays, sickness and staff turnover, so that you are never left without cover.

When Should You Book Fire Marshal Training?

The simplest answer is before you need it. There are several points at which training should be booked.

When You Appoint a New Fire Marshal

Anyone taking on the role should be trained before they are expected to act as a marshal. It is good practice to build this into the induction process for new marshals.

When Your Workplace Changes

Moving premises, changing the layout, bringing in new processes or equipment, or taking on significantly more staff can all change your fire risks and evacuation routes. Your marshals should be retrained so their knowledge reflects the current building.

When a Marshal Leaves or Changes Role

Staff turnover is one of the most common reasons businesses end up without enough trained marshals. Check your fire marshal list whenever someone leaves, moves team or changes their working pattern.

When a Refresher Is Due

Fire safety knowledge fades over time. We recommend refresher training at least every two to three years, with a review of your marshal cover every year. Regular fire drills in between help marshals practise their role and highlight any gaps in your procedures.

What Does the Course Cover?

Our fire marshal course is interactive and practical, designed to make fire safety principles easy to understand and apply. Topics include the most common causes of fire at work, the fire triangle, arson in the workplace, how fire and smoke spread, the different types of fire extinguisher and when to use them, fire safety signs, what to do when a fire breaks out and the day-to-day duties of a marshal.

Attendees leave knowing how to prevent fires, how to support a safe evacuation and how to carry out their role with confidence.

How to Organise Fire Marshal Training

Start with your fire risk assessment. It will tell you how many marshals you need and highlight any specific risks the training should address. Then identify your candidates, checking that you have cover across every shift, floor and working day.

Next, decide on the format. Office Test can deliver training at your premises, which works well if you are training several people at once and want the session based around your own building. Alternatively, individual staff can attend a face-to-face course at our training centre on High Holborn in central London.

After the course, update your records with the names of your trained marshals and the date of their training, and set a reminder for their refresher. Finally, make sure the rest of your team knows who the marshals are and has completed fire awareness training so they know how to follow instructions during an evacuation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a fire marshal the same as a fire warden?

Yes. The two titles describe the same role and the same training. The term used simply varies between organisations.

Do all employees need fire marshal training?

No. Fire marshal training is for the staff you appoint to the role. All other employees should receive fire awareness training so they understand fire risks and know what to do when the alarm sounds.

How long does fire marshal training take?

Our fire marshal course takes approximately three hours, so it can be completed within a morning or afternoon with minimal disruption to your business.

How often do fire marshals need refresher training?

We recommend a refresher at least every two to three years, and sooner if your premises, staff or fire safety procedures change significantly.

Can small businesses appoint just one fire marshal?

A small, low-risk business may only need one marshal, but it is wise to train at least one other person as cover for holidays and absences. Your fire risk assessment will confirm what is appropriate.

Where does the training take place?

We can deliver fire marshal training at your workplace anywhere in the UK, or your staff can attend a course at our London training centre on High Holborn.

Book Your Fire Marshal Training with Office Test

Office Test is trusted by thousands of UK businesses to keep their workplaces safe and compliant. Our experienced, DBS-checked trainers deliver engaging fire safety training at your premises or at our London training centre, and your certificates are stored securely in our online client portal.

Explore our fire warden training and fire awareness training courses, or book your place through our training hub. If you are unsure how many marshals you need, get in touch for free advice.