A fire marshal (also called a fire warden) is a competent person appointed by an employer under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 to assist with day-to-day fire safety. Core duties include: helping to ensure escape routes are kept clear, raising the alarm if a fire is discovered, leading evacuation in their area, conducting headcounts at the assembly point, using fire extinguishers on small fires (where safe to do so), and supporting fire drills. UK employers typically need at least one fire marshal per floor or area, with a minimum of 2 to ensure cover during absence. Training is required and should be refreshed annually.
Every UK workplace under the Fire Safety Order needs people on the ground who can act if a fire breaks out. The Order calls them "competent persons"; everyone else calls them fire marshals or fire wardens. This guide explains what they do, how many you need, and what training they require.
None — the two terms are used interchangeably in UK fire safety practice. Some employers use "fire marshal" for the person with overall responsibility on a floor or area, and "fire warden" for assistants — but there's no legal or technical distinction. Throughout this article we'll use "fire marshal" as shorthand for both.
The legal term used by the Fire Safety Order itself is "competent person" — meaning someone with the necessary training, knowledge and experience to carry out specific fire safety duties. Marshal/warden is the working title.
Article 18 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places a duty on the Responsible Person (typically the employer) to "appoint one or more competent persons to assist him in undertaking the preventive and protective measures."
The Order doesn't specifically use the words "fire marshal" or "fire warden," but in practice this duty is discharged by appointing trained marshals across the workplace. For larger or higher-risk premises, fire authorities and fire risk assessors will expect to see a structured fire marshal arrangement.
For more on the underlying law, see our guide to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Day-to-day duties typically split into three categories: prevention, response, and review.
There's no single legal number prescribed by the Fire Safety Order. The number is whatever's needed to discharge the duties competently — but UK fire authority guidance and fire risk assessor practice typically suggest:
| Premises type | Recommended minimum |
|---|---|
| Small office / single floor under 50 people | At least 2 marshals (cover for absence) |
| Multi-storey office | 2 marshals per floor as a minimum |
| Open-plan office of 50+ | 1 marshal per 25-50 people, with at least 2 per area |
| Public-facing premises (retail, hospitality) | Sufficient marshals to cover all floor areas and customer zones during opening hours |
| Care homes, hospitals | Specialist requirement — typically structured fire teams trained to evacuate non-ambulant residents |
| High-risk premises (warehouses, manufacturing, kitchens) | Higher density; typically every shift covered with multiple marshals |
The two key principles are:
Anyone can be a fire marshal in principle, but in practice the role suits people who:
Avoid appointing fire marshals purely on the basis of "no one else volunteered" — the role only works if the people in it take it seriously.
The Fire Safety Order requires fire marshals to be "competent" — meaning they need training appropriate to their duties. Training typically covers:
Training is typically delivered as a half-day or one-day course, often with a practical extinguisher session. Best practice is annual refresher training, with full refresher every two to three years.
KeyOstas delivers Fire Marshal Training at venues across the Midlands and on-site nationally for groups of 6 or more. Training covers all the above, plus a practical extinguisher session.
One of the most important — and often overlooked — fire marshal responsibilities is supporting the evacuation of people with disabilities or mobility limitations. UK guidance is that every person who would need assistance to evacuate should have a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) — a written plan describing how they'll be evacuated, by whom, and using what equipment.
Fire marshals are typically the named "buddies" responsible for executing a PEEP — assisting the person to a designated refuge area, using an evacuation chair to descend stairs, or accompanying them via an alternative route. Marshals supporting PEEPs need additional training, particularly on equipment like evacuation chairs.
People appointed in name only, without formal training. Fire authorities specifically check this during enforcement visits.
Single marshal in an area, who is on holiday or away from desk. Always need at least two per area.
Trained but never involved in actual drills. Drills are when marshals discover their procedure has gaps.
Training certificates from 2018 with no refresher since. Fire authorities want to see evidence of recent, ongoing training.
Wheelchair users, pregnant employees, those with temporary mobility issues — no plan in place. This is a frequent finding during fire risk assessments.
There's no single legal number. As a minimum, a small workplace needs at least two fire marshals to ensure cover during absence. Larger premises typically need 1 marshal per 25-50 people, with at least 2 per floor or area. Higher-risk environments (care homes, manufacturing) need more.
The Fire Safety Order requires fire marshals (competent persons) to have appropriate training. The level of training depends on the duties and the risks at the premises. For most workplaces, a half-day or one-day fire marshal course with annual refresher is standard.
None — the terms are used interchangeably in UK fire safety practice. Some employers use "fire marshal" for senior roles and "fire warden" for assistants, but there's no legal distinction.
Yes, but only on a small, contained fire and only if they have been trained on the type of extinguisher and the type of fire. Tackling a fire is never the priority over raising the alarm and evacuating. If the fire isn't immediately controllable with one extinguisher, the marshal should evacuate.
Annual refreshers are best practice. Full refresher courses (typically half-day or one-day) every two to three years. Records of training should be maintained as part of fire safety documentation.
Yes. Fire marshals are typically employees, but volunteers (in a charity, community group, or place of worship) can also serve as competent persons under the Order, provided they are appointed in writing and properly trained.
The Fire Safety Order doesn't apply to private domestic premises, so home workers don't need fire marshals at home. The employer's fire safety arrangements apply to the workplace they're occupying.
For tailored advice on your fire marshal arrangements, call us on +44 (0) 3300 569534.
