Fire safety is a critical concern, as it protects human lives and property worth billions of pounds. That's why the role of a fire marshal is crucial. A fire marshal or warden ensures all fire safety procedures and regulations are followed.
One of the critical responsibilities of a fire marshal is to conduct regular inspections of buildings and premises to identify potential fire hazards. They examine everything from electrical equipment to fire extinguisher equipment. By doing so, they aim to prevent the risk of fire and implement protective measures.
Having designated fire marshals within a business is essential, as they play a vital role in promoting good fire safety awareness and ensuring that fire evacuations occur safely. In this article, we will look at the key responsibilities of a fire marshal, including their day-to-day duties and role during an evacuation.
Who is responsible for fire safety in the workplace?
Before we look at the role of a fire marshal or fire warden, it is essential to understand what fire safety measures should be in place in a business to reduce the risk of a fire breaking out. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, employers and business owners must:
- Carry out a fire risk assessment and check for fire hazards.
- Create a fire safety and emergency evacuation plan.
- Install fire safety equipment, such as fire extinguishers, alarm systems, and fire safety signs.
- Provide adequate fire safety training to staff.
The person responsible for a building is duty-bound to oversee the above tasks. A responsible person can be an employer, building owner, or anyone who controls the premises. A responsible person may appoint one or more fire wardens to contribute to fire prevention and safe evacuations. If you would like help calculating how many fire wardens your business or building needs, see the Knowledge Bank article 'What is a Fire Marshal and How Many to Appoint'.
The fire marshal is not usually 'the responsible person'. However, a fire marshal can assist with these actions in several ways, which we will explore below.
What are the main duties of a fire warden?
A fire warden or fire marshal's main responsibility is to ensure a safe evacuation of the building in the event of a fire emergency in the workplace. This begins by ensuring that the evacuation plan is effective and that all staff members are familiar with it.
In the event of an evacuation taking place, there are several actions that a fire marshal should take to ensure that it runs smoothly. These actions include:
- Raising the alarm and directing everyone to leave the area using the safest route. People will often freeze or panic upon hearing a fire alarm, which may involve assertively asking people and helping them remain calm. They may also attempt to evacuate using a dangerous exit, such as a lift, that they need to be directed away from.
- Checking all accessible spaces to ensure that everyone has been evacuated. This is important because people may be stuck in isolated areas, refuge areas, or toilets and be unable to evacuate quickly.
- Assisting with evacuations where required. This may be necessary for disabled or vulnerable people who cannot evacuate safely. See the Knowledge Bank for more information on creating Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans.
- Take steps to prevent fire and smoke from spreading, such as closing the doors to a room once it has been evacuated. This should only be done when it is safe to do so.
- Fighting the fire if it is safe to do so. Again, this should only be done in situations where it is safe, such as when the fire is small and close to a fire extinguisher or other item of firefighting equipment.
- Attending assembly points and taking roll calls. This will help ensure that everyone has been evacuated and that nobody re-enters the building before it is safe.
- Coordinating with other fire marshals is essential because it will help identify any missing people more quickly and ensure the evacuation is successful.
- Liaising with the emergency services and passing on key information, such as the location and type of the fire, will allow them to find anyone unaccounted for and tackle the fire more easily.
The specific actions that a fire marshal will take during a fire will vary depending on several factors, such as the size of the premises and the nature of the fire. However, in all instances, a fire marshal must remain calm, act confidently, and avoid putting themselves or others in danger during an evacuation.
Other responsibilities in the fire marshal role
Fire marshals are also responsible for monitoring and maintaining fire safety measures and promoting good fire safety practices. For example, the fire marshal role may involve:
- Regularly check that emergency exits and fire doors are not obstructed and function correctly.
- Regularly check fire safety and firefighting equipment (such as fire extinguishers, broken glass call points, and emergency lighting) to ensure it is in good working order and can be used in an emergency.
- Monitoring the adequacy of the fire risk control measures that are in place.
- Tested the fire alarm and assisted with organising fire drills.
- Ensuring that any hazardous and flammable materials are stored correctly.
- Carrying out or assisting with staff training on fire safety.
- Ensuring that all fire safety activities are documented correctly.
Find an online fire marshal course
At Commodious, we offer a range of health and safety training courses, including two fire safety awareness courses designed for both general staff and fire wardens and marshals:
Fire Safety Awareness Training
Fire Safety Awareness for Fire Marshals Training
