Fire Marshal

Course Overview

Every organisation in the UK has a legal duty to protect people from fire. Most have a fire marshal on paper. Fewer have one who has ever walked the evacuation route, tested the assembly point, or considered what happens to a wheelchair user on the second floor when the lift is out of use.

Fire Marshal Training is the course that closes the gap between having a procedure and being genuinely prepared to execute it. It is one of the most practically significant training investments an organisation can make, because when a fire alarm activates, the people in that building are relying on the fire marshals to know exactly what to do.

The scenarios that consistently surface in delivery are revealing. A professional services firm with no fire risk assessment in place at all, despite a legal obligation to have one. Care homes with no Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans for residents who cannot self-evacuate, and no evacuation equipment to support them. Staff who have been listed as fire marshals for years without ever having walked the evacuation route. These are not rare edge cases. They are the reality across a significant number of organisations, and they represent a serious risk to the people inside those buildings.

This course gives fire marshals the knowledge, legal grounding, and practical confidence to fulfil their role effectively. It is built around your premises, your risk profile, and your evacuation procedures, not a generic workplace that bears no resemblance to where your team actually works. A live fire extinguisher practical session is available on request for organisations where suitable outdoor space allows, giving learners the opportunity to safely discharge extinguishers on controlled live flames under professional supervision.

We also deliver fire evacuation equipment training, including evac chairs and evacuation sledges, for organisations that need staff trained to use the equipment required to evacuate individuals who cannot use stairs independently. This can be combined with Fire Marshal Training for a comprehensive fire safety programme.

The course reflects the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, as strengthened by the Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, alongside guidance from the Health and Safety Executive and the National Fire Chiefs Council.

Course Details

  • Duration: Half day (approximately 3 to 4 hours), extended if required
  • Delivery: In-person at your workplace. Face-to-face only
  • Certificate: Worksafe-accredited (valid 3 years) or CPD-accredited (valid 2 years), depending on requirements
  • Live fire extinguisher practical: Available on request, subject to suitable outdoor space
  • Group size: Up to 12 learners

Who This Course Is For

This course is right for anyone with fire marshal or fire warden responsibilities, or with a role in organising, overseeing, or reviewing fire safety arrangements, including:

  • Appointed fire marshals and fire wardens
  • Health and safety leads and compliance officers
  • Supervisors, team leaders, and duty managers
  • Facilities and operations managers
  • Business owners and employers with fire safety duties
  • Registered managers and senior staff in care settings responsible for fire safety and PEEP compliance
  • Anyone responsible for coordinating emergency evacuation procedures

Why This Training Matters

Fire safety in the UK workplace is governed by a layered legal framework that has been significantly strengthened in recent years. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places a duty on the responsible person, usually the employer or building owner, to carry out a fire risk assessment, implement appropriate fire safety measures, and ensure that employees receive adequate fire safety training. This duty applies to every non-domestic premises in England and Wales, regardless of size or sector. There is no threshold below which it does not apply.

The Fire Safety Act 2021 clarified and extended these responsibilities, particularly in relation to the structure, external walls, and flat entrance doors of multi-occupied residential buildings. The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 introduced additional specific duties, including regular checks of fire doors, fire safety instructions for residents, and the provision of information to fire and rescue services. Together, these three pieces of legislation form the current legal framework that responsible persons must comply with.

An organisation that has no fire risk assessment in place is in breach of the Regulatory Reform Order. An organisation with a fire risk assessment that has not been reviewed following changes to premises, occupancy, or processes is operating on outdated information. A care setting that has not produced Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans for residents who cannot self-evacuate, and that does not have the evacuation equipment to support those plans, is placing vulnerable individuals at serious risk and is non-compliant with both fire safety law and CQC expectations.

Fire marshals are the human element of the fire safety system. A well-trained fire marshal who has walked the evacuation route, knows which areas they are responsible for, understands the limitations of their role, and has practiced using extinguishing equipment is a meaningful resource in an emergency. A fire marshal who has a certificate but has never engaged with the reality of their building’s evacuation is not.

What You Will Learn

By the end of the session, learners will be able to:

  • Explain the legal duties placed on responsible persons under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Fire Safety Act 2021, and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022
  • Understand the fire triangle and how fire starts, spreads, and is contained
  • Identify common fire hazards in their specific workplace and understand how to reduce ignition risk
  • Classify fire types and match the correct extinguisher to each, including understanding why using the wrong extinguisher can be dangerous
  • Explain the role of the fire marshal before, during, and after a fire alarm activation
  • Support safe and organised evacuation, including sweeping areas, accounting for occupants, and reporting to the incident controller
  • Understand Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans and the responsibility of the organisation and the fire marshal toward individuals who cannot self-evacuate
  • Know when it is and is not appropriate to attempt to tackle a fire, and understand the consequences of that decision
  • Describe the correct response when a fire is discovered, when an alarm sounds, and when evacuation is complete
  • Understand the importance of fire door checks, fire exit accessibility, and regular review of the evacuation procedure

Where the live fire extinguisher practical is requested and delivered, learners will also be able to safely operate extinguishers on controlled live flames using correct technique and appropriate selection.

Course Content

Content is adapted to your premises, your sector, and your fire risk assessment findings. Topics covered include:

  • The legal framework
  • Employer and responsible person duties
  • The fire triangle
  • Fire classifications and extinguisher types
  • Common workplace fire hazards
  • The fire marshal role
  • Evacuation procedures
  • Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans
  • Fire doors, fire exits, and escape routes
  • Post-incident responsibilities
  • Live fire extinguisher practical

Live Fire Extinguisher Practical

Available on request for organisations where suitable outdoor space is available, the live fire practical session gives learners the opportunity to extinguish controlled fires using the correct extinguisher for each fire class, under the direct supervision of a qualified instructor and following a clear safety briefing. Every practical element is risk-assessed before delivery.

The difference between understanding how to use a fire extinguisher and having actually discharged one under pressure is significant. The live practical builds genuine confidence, reinforces correct selection and technique, and gives learners the kind of practical experience that theory alone cannot produce.

If you would like to include this element, let us know when you enquire, and we will confirm whether your premises and outdoor space are suitable.

Fire Evacuation Equipment Training

For organisations supporting individuals who cannot use stairs independently, having a fire risk assessment and a PEEP is only part of the requirement. Staff also need to be trained to use the equipment.

We deliver fire evacuation equipment training, including evac chairs and evacuation sledges, ensuring that the staff responsible for evacuating individuals with mobility needs are genuinely competent to do so under pressure, not just aware that the equipment exists.

This training covers:

  • How evac chairs and evacuation sledges work and when each is appropriate
  • Safe assembly, deployment, and operation of the equipment
  • Practical hands-on use with the specific equipment in your building
  • The fire marshal’s role in coordinating assisted evacuation alongside other evacuation duties
  • Record keeping and competency documentation

This training can be delivered as a standalone session or combined with Fire Marshal Training as part of a comprehensive fire safety programme. For care homes, residential settings, schools, and any building where individuals may require assisted evacuation, this is not optional. It is a fundamental part of meeting your fire safety duties.

How the Course Is Delivered

This course is delivered face-to-face at your workplace. Fire safety training cannot be fully replicated online, and we do not attempt to do so. The practical elements, including walking evacuation routes, understanding the physical layout of your building, and live extinguisher work where requested, require physical presence.

Sessions are interactive, scenario-based, and built around your building, your risk assessment, and the real situations your fire marshals will face. Every session is prepared around your premises, your sector-specific risks, and your internal procedures.

Delivery includes:

  • Discussion and scenario work covering the real situations fire marshals encounter, including discovering a fire, managing a partial evacuation, and dealing with individuals who refuse to leave
  • Review of your evacuation procedures and assembly point arrangements, including whether they have actually been tested
  • Coverage of PEEPs and evacuation equipment relevant to your setting
  • Live fire extinguisher practical where requested and where outdoor space allows
  • Time for questions, because fire safety consistently generates them once people start applying it to their actual building

Certification and Validity

On completion, learners receive either a Worksafe-accredited Fire Marshal certificate valid for 3 years, or a CPD-accredited certificate valid for 2 years, depending on your organisation’s requirements. Both are widely recognised and suitable for CQC inspection evidence in regulated settings.

Refresher training should be arranged sooner than the certification period if premises or processes change significantly, if a fire risk assessment is updated, if roles and responsibilities are amended, or following any real fire emergency or evacuation that identifies gaps in practice.

In-House and Bespoke Training

We adapt every session to your organisation, your building, and your specific fire safety challenges.

Before delivery, we review your fire risk assessment findings, your evacuation procedures, and the specific risks relevant to your sector. For care homes and health and social care settings, this includes reviewing PEEP requirements and evacuation equipment provision.

We can tailor content for:

  • Care homes, nursing homes, and supported living settings where assisted evacuation and PEEPs are a central compliance requirement
  • Office, retail, hospitality, and professional services environments
  • Schools, colleges, and education settings
  • Industrial, warehouse, and manufacturing environments with sector-specific fire risks
  • Combined delivery with Emergency First Aid at Work, Basic Life Support and AED Training, or fire evacuation equipment training for a broader safety programme

Course Location and Service Areas

We deliver in-house training at your workplace or chosen venue across Manchester, Greater Manchester, and the wider North West. We also deliver nationally across England, including North England, South England, London, and Surrey.

All sessions are led by experienced Prima Cura Training instructors. Every trainer holds an Enhanced DBS certificate.

FAQs

Is Fire Marshal training a legal requirement?

Yes, in practice. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the responsible person to ensure that employees receive adequate fire safety training and that appropriate fire safety arrangements are in place. Appointing trained fire marshals is the standard mechanism through which organisations demonstrate they have met that duty. An organisation that has no trained fire marshals, or whose fire marshals have received no formal training, is unlikely to be able to demonstrate compliance under the Order.

Do I need a fire risk assessment before booking this training?

You should have one, and if you do not, you are already in breach of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. We have delivered this training to organisations that had no fire risk assessment in place at all. Part of what this course addresses is ensuring the responsible person understands what a fire risk assessment must cover and what the consequences of not having one are. We can advise on fire risk assessment requirements during the enquiry process.

What is the difference between a fire marshal and a fire warden?

The terms are used interchangeably in UK practice. Both refer to a member of staff with specific responsibilities for fire safety, evacuation coordination, and reporting during a fire emergency. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 does not specify a job title, only that appropriate fire safety arrangements and trained personnel are in place.

Can you include a live fire extinguisher practical?

Yes, on request and subject to a suitable outdoor space being available at your premises. The live practical gives learners the opportunity to discharge extinguishers on controlled live flames under professional supervision, building genuine confidence and practical technique. Every practical element is risk-assessed before delivery. Let us know when you enquire, and we will confirm whether this is feasible for your location.

Related Courses

Book or Enquire

To book Fire Marshal Training or request a quote for your team, use the enquiry form on this page or contact us directly. If you want to discuss including the live fire extinguisher practical, combining Fire Marshal Training with fire evacuation equipment training, or tailoring the course to your specific premises and sector, get in touch and we will talk it through before you commit to anything.

Our Commitment to Quality and Compliance

At Prima Cura Training, all courses reflect current UK guidance and best practice.

All trainers are experienced professionals with relevant qualifications and ongoing CPD. Because many of the organisations we support work with vulnerable individuals, all trainers hold Enhanced DBS checks.

This course is reviewed against updates from the National Fire Chiefs Council, the Health and Safety Executive, the Care Quality Commission, and current UK fire safety legislation, including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Fire Safety Act 2021, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, and the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

You can read more on our Quality Assurance and Compliance page.

Reviewed by Stephanie Austin, Owner and Lead Trainer, Prima Cura Training | 25+ years in health and social care | 15+ years as a trainer | Last reviewed: April 2026 | Next review: April 2027

This page is for general guidance only and reflects current UK fire safety legislation and best practice at the date of review. It does not constitute legal advice. Fire Marshal Training supports compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Fire Safety Act 2021, and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, but does not replace the legal requirement for a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment to be carried out by a competent person. Organisations remain responsible for ensuring their fire risk assessments, Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans, fire safety arrangements, and staff training meet all applicable legal obligations. Where specialist fire safety advice is required, organisations should seek independent guidance from a qualified fire safety professional.

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