A fire marshal is a person designated to support fire safety arrangements and emergency procedures within a workplace or other premises. Their responsibilities can include helping people evacuate, checking designated areas where it is safe to do so and supporting communication during an emergency. The exact duties depend on the premises and its fire safety arrangements.

Fire marshal training teaches designated personnel about their responsibilities in workplace fire safety and emergency evacuation. It can cover fire prevention, risk assessment, evacuation procedures, escape arrangements and assisting people who may require additional support. This Level 3 course focuses on the fire warden role, fire risks, fire plans, evacuation and PEEPs.

The terms fire marshal and fire warden are often used interchangeably in workplace fire safety. Both roles can involve helping implement fire procedures and supporting evacuation. The exact responsibilities are determined by the organisation’s fire safety strategy, premises and designated duties.

UK workplace fire safety law requires responsible persons to provide staff with appropriate fire safety information, instruction and training. Where fire wardens are appointed, they need suitable training for their responsibilities. The amount and type of training required depends on the premises, risks and individual duties. 

A Level 3 Fire Marshal course can cover the fire marshal role, fire behaviour, risk assessment, fire safety planning and evacuation. This course specifically covers the fire triangle, risk assessments, fire plans and safety arrangements, evacuation procedures and PEEPs. It therefore provides a focused introduction to key responsibilities associated with the role.

The fire triangle is a basic model used to explain the three elements required for fire to continue: heat, fuel and oxygen. Removing or controlling one of these elements can help prevent or suppress combustion. Understanding the fire triangle gives fire safety personnel a useful foundation for recognising how fires start and develop.

A fire risk assessment is a systematic process for identifying fire hazards, assessing the risks to people and determining appropriate fire safety measures. In England, the responsible person has a duty to carry out and regularly review the fire risk assessment for relevant premises. 

A Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) sets out the arrangements needed to help an individual who may require additional assistance to evacuate during an emergency. The arrangements should reflect the person’s circumstances and the building’s evacuation strategy. Fire marshals may need to understand relevant pre-planned evacuation arrangements when supporting people during an emergency. 

Yes, fire marshal and fire warden knowledge training can be completed online where the course format meets the learner’s and organisation’s requirements. This OTA course is online, self-paced and mobile-friendly, with interactive modules and tutor support. Employers should ensure that training is suitable for the specific risks and responsibilities of their premises.

Completing a fire marshal training certificate does not automatically make someone the legally responsible person for a workplace. UK fire safety law places duties on the responsible person, which may be an employer, owner, occupier or another person with control of the premises. A trained fire marshal supports the fire safety arrangements assigned to them.