A Guide to Fire Safety Training for the Workplace

Save lives and minimise risk with fire safety training for employees. If you are the owner, employer, landlord or occupier of a business or other non-domestic site, you’re the ‘responsible person’ for the fire safety of your premises. A part of this requirement is to provide staff information and training in regards to fire safety – and that’s where Fire Action comes in. 

We’re one of the South East’s leading fire safety specialists, and part of this means delivering fire safety training to businesses across the area. In this article, we’ll be covering what we teach during our fire safety training days, along with answering some of your fire safety training FAQs. 

What is taught by the Fire Action team during fire safety training? 

Our fully qualified team covers a range of topics during our fire safety training courses to ensure that your nominated staff are competent, knowledgeable and armed with relevant practical and theoretical knowledge. 

Our specialists deliver two training courses: 

Fire Safety & Extinguisher Training

This is aimed at any and all staff, not just those who are nominated to be fire wardens. Topics will be both theory and practical-based and will cover: 

• Fire hazards associated with your premises
• General fire protection in your premises 
• Actions to take when discovering a fire
• Actions to take when hearing a fire alarm signal 
• Practical session using portable fire extinguishing equipment
• Management of fire safety in the workplace
• Home fire safety

Fire Marshal Training 

This fire warden training will incorporate findings from your fire risk assessment and will be designed to be easily understood by all those in attendance. This training should be given to nominated persons with additional responsibilities, such as those chosen to be fire wardens, along with managers, shift leaders, heads of department etc. 

Topics covered include: 

• Fire hazards associated with your premises
• General fire protection in your premises 
• Actions to take when discovering a fire
• Actions to take when hearing a fire alarm signal 
• Practical session using portable fire extinguishing equipment
• Management of fire safety in the workplace
• Home fire safety 
• The role of a fire marshal 

All fire training is based around the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.  

Fire Safety Training FAQs

Why is fire safety training important?

For any fire safety policies to be as effective as possible, every workplace or non-domestic property needs trained staff in the workforce to be able to understand, implement and uphold these policies. Training gives employees the skills and knowledge to understand fire hazards, how to respond to them, and in the case of fire marshal training, how to direct and guide their fellow colleagues to safety during an incident. 

Is fire safety training a legal requirement?

Yes, it is. If one or more people are working at your premises, then you have a legal duty to provide fire safety training. Ideally, this means that everyone should be given basic fire safety training and be taught the emergency procedures during their induction. You are also required by law to have at least one person trained as a fire safety warden/marshal to guide and direct others, although this number will increase depending on how many staff members are in your workplace and how high-risk your premises are.

How long are fire safety training sessions?

The Fire Safety & Extinguisher Training will only take two hours, and will cover a rich and relevant programme of topics, theory and practical knowledge. The Fire Marshal Training will take three hours to make room for the additional topic of ‘The Role of the Fire Marshal’. 

Where do fire safety training sessions take place?

Our Fire Safety & Extinguisher Training will be delivered either at your venue or at a dedicated central training centre provided by us at Fire Action. Our Fire Marshal Training will take place at our client’s site. 

How long is a fire safety training certificate valid for?

The certificate for both training courses is valid for three years from the date of issue. 

Who can give fire safety training? 

Only qualified persons can deliver fire safety or fire marshal training. Here at Fire Action, all of our trainers are either serving fire officers with the British Fire Service and with a background in adult education and training, or they are fully qualified Fire Safety Trainers. 

In summary 

Fire safety training not only protects people and property – it is also a legal requirement for businesses, so make sure you get professionals on board to deliver the relevant training to your staff.