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Fire Safety Training2026-10-12T14:14:03+00:00

FIRE SAFETY TRAINING

Fire Safety Training For Businesses & Organisations

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, employers and Responsible Persons in England and Wales must ensure employees receive appropriate fire safety training and information.

Fire wardens, sometimes called fire marshals, can play an important role in supporting workplace fire safety and evacuation procedures. The appropriate number of trained wardens depends on the size and layout of the premises, occupancy levels, fire risks, shift patterns and evacuation arrangements.

A suitable fire risk assessment can help determine the fire safety responsibilities, training and personnel needed for your workplace.

Fire Extinguisher Training Components

Fire Extinguishers and Their Use

  • Discussion of different types of extinguishers.
  • Identifying the extinguisher from the different labels.
  • Selecting the correct extinguisher.
  • How to tackle and extinguish a fire.

Fire Extinguishers Practical

  • A practical involving a controlled fire.
  • Each candidate is given the opportunity to fight a fire.

Fire Safety on Site

  • Analysis of different types of fire protection, systems and signage on site.
  • Discussion on how these can be used to assist fighting the fire and raising the alarm.

Probable Causes of Fire

  • Review of the specific risks on site.
  • Identification of high-risk areas.
  • Better housekeeping and workplace vigilance.

Fire Safety Training Overview

Fire safety is a fundamental part of any business and training is the cornerstone of implementing any fire safety policy. Legislation via the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires employers to provide training for all employees in actions to be taken in the event of a fire. This training can range from basic fire safety awareness, to the practical use of fire extinguishers and the management of a fire situation with Fire Warden Training. This course is aimed at all staff within an organisation.

Fire Warden Training

This course is for up to 15 people per session and will be delivered in approximately 3 hours. It will give your staff an understanding of fire legislation along with the specific duties of a Fire Warden, greater awareness of the hazards presented by a fire, and increase their knowledge in practical fire safety measures.

SS Systems are CHAS accredited, BAFE registered and, SSAIB certificated with BS EN ISO 9001:2015 & Construction Line approved, so your organisation can be assured that all our fire, security and safety equipment is designed, supplied, installed and maintained in accordance with the latest British Standards.

Enquiry

Frequently Asked Questions About Fire Safety Training

Yes. In England and Wales, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires employers to provide employees with adequate fire safety training and information.

Training should be provided when employees start work and repeated periodically where appropriate. It should also be updated when changes to the workplace, equipment or working arrangements introduce new fire risks.

Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate fire safety legislation with their own requirements.

SS Systems provides workplace fire safety training covering general fire awareness, fire extinguisher use and fire warden responsibilities.

Training can help employees understand common fire hazards, how to raise the alarm, safe evacuation procedures and the appropriate use of fire safety equipment.

Fire warden training provides additional guidance for employees with specific responsibilities during a fire emergency. Contact SS Systems to discuss the training options available for your organisation.

The terms fire warden and fire marshal are often used interchangeably in workplaces.

Both generally refer to employees who have been assigned particular fire safety or evacuation responsibilities. These may include helping people follow evacuation procedures, reporting hazards and assisting with designated checks where it is safe to do so.

The exact duties should be defined in the organisation’s fire emergency plan and supported by suitable training.

There is no single legally prescribed ratio of fire wardens to employees that applies to every workplace.

The appropriate number depends on the fire risk assessment, building size and layout, occupancy, shift patterns, evacuation arrangements and whether anyone may need additional assistance.

Businesses should also consider holidays, sickness and other absences to ensure suitable cover is available whenever the premises are occupied.

Fire warden training helps employees understand their role in supporting workplace fire safety and evacuation procedures.

Topics may include:

  • Fire safety legislation – An overview of relevant workplace responsibilities.
  • Fire hazards – Recognising common causes of fire and ways to reduce risk.
  • Fire prevention – Good housekeeping and safe working practices.
  • Emergency procedures – Raising the alarm and supporting an orderly evacuation.
  • Fire warden duties – Understanding assigned responsibilities and safe limits.
  • Fire extinguishers – Awareness of extinguisher types and their appropriate use.

SS Systems currently describes its Fire Warden Training course as lasting approximately three hours for groups of up to 15 people.

SS Systems describes its fire extinguisher training as including both an explanation of extinguisher types and a practical exercise involving a controlled fire.

Participants can learn how to identify suitable extinguishers and understand the circumstances in which they may be used safely.

Practical activities should be conducted under suitable supervision and safety controls. In a real emergency, raising the alarm and evacuating safely must always take priority over attempting to fight a fire.

Fire safety training should be provided when employees start work and refreshed periodically where appropriate.

Additional training may be needed when fire risks change, new equipment is introduced, evacuation arrangements are updated or employees take on additional fire safety responsibilities.

There is no single refresher interval that is suitable for every workplace. The training schedule should reflect the fire risk assessment, the duties of employees and the organisation’s fire safety procedures.

Workplace fire safety training is most effective when it reflects the actual risks and procedures employees may encounter.

Relevant topics may include the building’s escape routes, fire alarm arrangements, fire protection equipment, specific workplace hazards and the responsibilities assigned to staff.

Contact SS Systems to discuss your premises, workforce and training requirements, including whether the available course content can be adapted to your organisation.

No. Employees generally need suitable fire safety awareness training, but not everyone needs to be trained as a fire warden.

Fire warden training is intended for employees assigned additional responsibilities under the organisation’s fire emergency arrangements.

The number of trained wardens and their duties should reflect the premises’ fire risk assessment, occupancy and evacuation procedures.

Contact SS Systems to discuss the type of training your organisation requires, the number of employees attending and any particular fire safety concerns.

The team can explain the available training options and discuss suitable arrangements for your workplace.

Call 03300 417 170, email sales@sssystems.co.uk or use the enquiry form on this page to request further information.

Advice When Arranging Fire Safety Training for Your Business

Your fire risk assessment should help identify the training employees need to work safely and respond appropriately in a fire emergency.

Consider the hazards present, the building layout, evacuation arrangements and any employees who have additional fire safety responsibilities.

Training should reflect the risks and procedures relevant to your premises rather than relying on a generic approach for every workplace.

Not every employee needs the same level of fire safety training. Match the training to each person’s responsibilities.

Consider the following:

  • General employees – Fire prevention, recognising hazards, raising the alarm and safe evacuation.
  • Fire wardens or marshals – Additional training on assigned duties and supporting evacuation arrangements.
  • Employees authorised to use extinguishers – Suitable instruction and practical training where appropriate.
  • Managers and supervisors – Understanding relevant fire safety procedures and their responsibilities.
  • Staff assisting others – Training appropriate to their assigned role in evacuation arrangements.

Review training requirements when roles, workplace hazards or emergency procedures change.

Employees should know what to do when the fire alarm sounds and how to leave the building safely.

Training should cover:

  • How to recognise and raise the fire alarm.
  • The designated escape routes and emergency exits.
  • Where to assemble following evacuation.
  • How to report concerns or missing persons through the agreed procedures.
  • Any specific arrangements for people requiring evacuation assistance.
  • Why employees should not re-enter the building until authorised.

Training should be supported by suitable fire drills and clear emergency procedures.

Practical fire extinguisher training can help employees understand the different types of equipment and their limitations.

However, attempting to extinguish a fire is not always appropriate. Employees should understand that raising the alarm, protecting themselves and evacuating safely take priority.

Any practical exercises should be supervised by a competent instructor, with appropriate equipment and safety precautions. Employees should never be encouraged to take unnecessary risks.

When appointing fire wardens, consider whether adequate trained cover will be available whenever the premises are occupied.

Factors to review include:

  • The number of employees and other building occupants.
  • The size, layout and complexity of the premises.
  • Multiple floors, departments or separate buildings.
  • Shift patterns, holidays, sickness and other absences.
  • Visitors and people who may need additional evacuation assistance.
  • The responsibilities assigned to each fire warden.

Use your fire risk assessment and emergency plan to determine appropriate arrangements rather than relying on a fixed staff-to-warden ratio.

Fire safety training should be reviewed periodically and whenever significant changes affect workplace fire risks or emergency arrangements.

Examples include changes to the building layout, new machinery, revised evacuation routes, different working practices or the appointment of new fire wardens.

Refresher training helps employees remain familiar with their responsibilities and the procedures they may need to follow during an emergency.

Maintain clear records of fire safety training and refresher activities as part of your wider fire safety management arrangements.

Useful records include:

  • The type of training delivered and the topics covered.
  • Dates of training sessions.
  • Names of employees who attended.
  • Details of the training provider or instructor.
  • Any practical exercises or assessments completed.
  • Planned refresher dates or identified additional training needs.

Keeping records helps managers identify training gaps and demonstrate how workplace fire safety responsibilities are being managed.

Choose a training provider with relevant fire safety knowledge and experience delivering courses appropriate to your workplace.

Ask about the course content, duration, maximum group size, practical activities and any documentation provided following completion.

SS Systems offers fire safety training alongside other fire protection services, including fire risk assessments, fire alarm systems and fire safety equipment. This wider experience can help businesses take a coordinated approach to workplace fire safety.

Bonus Tip: Before booking training, check your staff rotas, shift patterns and planned absences. Arranging sessions around these can help ensure employees with fire safety responsibilities receive appropriate training without leaving gaps in workplace cover.

OUR PARTNERS

SS Systems partner with leading UK based manufacturers to ensure that the fire detection and alarm systems we provide are at the forefront of current technology, along with being the most reliable our industry has to offer.

Externally Monitored to Ensure that we meet a High Standard of Service.

As members of the SSAIB (Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board), We maintain service records and monitor our success. The SSAIB, is a leading certification body for organisations providing security systems and services, fire detection alarm systems, and monitoring services. So, you can be confident that we strive to provide our clients with a reliable and professional level of service.

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