It’s so important having a designated fire marshal or a fire warden in place within a business because many fires occur in UK and they are responsible for fatalities and injuries. Fire safety is an essential part of workplace safety so it becomes the legal duty of the businesses to ensure the safety of the workplace.
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, it is the responsibility of the employers and business owners that adequate arrangements have been made for safe evacuation the in the event of fire. This is the reason that certified fire marshals are appointed by the businesses in their premises. Moreover it is a huge responsibility to being appointed as the Fire Marshal or Fire Warden in your workplace and that must be taken seriously.
Who are Fire marshals?
In general, fire marshals are responsible for identifying the potential fire hazards in a building. They are usually identified or appointed by the responsible person- the in charge of the overall safety of the people in the building. They also make sure that drill and evacuations are carried out properly and in a timely manner.
What is the fire marshal certificate?
The fire safety certificate proves that you have been trained in specialist fire training and are capable of contributing to fire safety in the workplace. You will definitely require the certificate if you have been appointed as a fire warden or fire marshal at your workplace.
Having the proper training with as a fire marshal will prepare you to understand the importance of fire safety and also how it can make your workplace safer. Apart from this, you will also get to know key emergency procedures.
Fire Marshal Training Course?
You are required to complete the half day training to get the Fire Marshal or Fire Warden Certificate. The candidate must be 16+ and have basic knowledge about fire extinguishers and fire safety for taking this specific course. However, the course can be completed through e-learning but it is not considered ideal for the fire marshals. Due to e-learning the candidates may be limited while practicing procedures and asking questions.
What are the topics covered in the course?
The course will teach that how can you keep your workplace safe other than covering a range of topic planned to make you understand the importance of your job as a Fire Marshal or Fire Warden. Some of the units of the training course include these topics:
- Fire safety legislation
- Identifying typical day to day causes of fire
- Learning the ways of preventing fires
- How to contact the fire brigade and fire service at the event of fire
- Evacuation procedure in case of a fire
- Precautions for fire safety
- The chemistry of fire
- Learn how to mark exit points
- What to look for in an assembly point
- Performing an action on noticing a fire or smoke
- Fire drills and evacuation
- Learn to perform a roll call
- How to use fire extinguishers
- The chemistry of fire
- Flammable materials to watch out for
- How can you break door or window glass
- The role or job of Fire Marshals or Fire Wardens
How is the course assessed?
In order to pass the Fire Marshal Training Course, the student must complete a multiple choice exam, which can vary depending on the training provider. As long as you follow what have been taught and successfully demonstrate your knowledge, you will be fine.
What’s the fee of the course and certificate?
The course will cost a candidate £99.00 while it does not cost anything additional to receive your fire marshal certificate as it is given only after completing your training course. The Fire Marshal Certificate will be is issued by your specialist fire safety training provider which will last for three years after that you will require to renew the certificate. A refresher course or another training course will be required to renew your Fire Marshal Certificate.
What are the main responsibilities of Fire Marshal
One of the main responsibilities of a fire marshal is that they have to make sure that there is a safe evacuation at the workplace. You need an effective evacuation plan for this and make sure that all the staff are familiar with it.
A fire marshal has to perform several actions during the evacuation to make sure that it runs smoothly and these may include:
- People usually panic or freeze after hearing fire alarms so it’s the responsibility of fire marshal to direct everyone calmly to the safest place after raising the alarm. The fire marshal should exempt people from using elevator and other dangerous exits at the time of evacuation.
- It is also part of his responsibility to check all the accessible spaces to make sure that everyone has been evacuated. They can also coordinate with other fire marshals to make sure the evacuation of every single person.
- In case of small fire they can also try to control the fire if they are close to fire extinguisher. Otherwise they should liaison with emergency services to pass on emergency services.
- Their other responsibilities also include day to day activities like testing the fire alarm and assisting with organising fire drills.
- They need to regularly check that emergency exits and fire doors are not hindered and functioning properly.
- It’s their job also to regularly check fire safety and fire fighting equipments like fire extinguishers, break glass call points and emergency lighting to make sure that they are in good condition and ready to be used at any point of time in the case of a fire.
They regularly carry out the risk assessment of their premises.
