Question 1

Is fire safety training a legal requirement for businesses?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

What types of fire safety training does SS Systems offer?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 4

How many fire wardens does my workplace need?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 5

What does fire warden training include?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 6

Does fire extinguisher training include practical experience?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 7

How often should employees receive fire safety training?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 8

Can fire safety training be tailored to our workplace?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 9

Do all employees need fire warden training?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 10

How can I arrange fire safety training with SS Systems?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 11

Start with Your Fire Risk Assessment

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 12

Choose the Right Training for Different Roles

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 13

Make Sure Staff Understand Evacuation Procedures

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 14

Prioritise Safety During Fire Extinguisher Training

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 15

Provide Suitable Fire Warden Cover

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 16

Refresh Training When Circumstances Change

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 17

Keep Accurate Training Records

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 18

Work with an Experienced Fire Safety Training Provider

Accepted Answer

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.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fire Safety Training