Fire Marshal Responsibilities

Fire marshals play a vital role in workplace safety by preventing fires and protecting lives through systematic safety management. In offices, factories, schools and other buildings across the UK, they are the first line of defence against fire hazards — handling safety inspections, fire equipment checks, emergency coordination, staff training and regulatory compliance. Their duties go far beyond simply pointing to the fire exits during an emergency.

This guide sets out the core responsibilities of a fire marshal (also called a fire warden), how the role supports your legal duties under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and what good practice looks like day to day.

Core fire marshal responsibilities

A fire marshal's primary job is to reduce the chance of a fire starting and to make sure everyone can get out safely if one does. In practice this means a mix of routine checks, hazard awareness and emergency readiness.

Fire hazard identification. Marshals carry out regular walk-rounds of their area, looking for the everyday hazards that cause workplace fires — overloaded sockets, blocked or wedged-open fire doors, combustible waste building up, and ignition sources stored near flammable materials. Spotting and reporting these early is one of the most effective ways to prevent a fire.

Fire risk assessment support. The formal fire risk assessment is the employer's (the "responsible person's") legal duty under the Fire Safety Order, not the marshal's. However, fire marshals provide valuable on-the-ground observations — confirming escape routes stay clear, noting practical problems and reporting issues to management — that help the assessor understand how the building is really used.

Compliance and enforcement. Marshals help keep the workplace aligned with fire safety policy day to day: making sure exits stay unlocked and unobstructed, fire notices remain visible, and that colleagues follow the agreed procedures.

Fire safety inspections and equipment management

Regular checks are at the heart of the role. A fire marshal does not maintain or service equipment themselves, but they verify it is present, accessible and apparently in working order, and report any faults promptly.

Fire safety equipment checks. Marshals confirm that extinguishers and fire blankets are correctly positioned, unobstructed and within their service date, and that fire doors close fully and self-latch.

Testing alarms and detection systems. While formal alarm testing is usually arranged by facilities or a competent contractor, marshals are often involved in weekly call-point tests and in making sure detectors are not obstructed or damaged.

Emergency lighting and exits. Marshals check that emergency lighting is functioning, that exit signage is visible, and that final exit doors and escape routes are clear and easy to open from the inside.

Fire prevention and risk reduction strategies

Prevention is always better than response. Much of a marshal's value lies in stopping the conditions that lead to fire from ever developing.

Fire safety protocols. Marshals help embed safe-working habits — good housekeeping, keeping escape routes clear, and following procedures for high-risk activities such as hot work.

Control of hazardous materials. Flammable liquids, gases and combustible waste should be stored correctly and in suitable quantities. Marshals monitor storage and flag anything that increases the fire load unnecessarily.

Electrical safety. Faulty and misused electrical equipment is a leading cause of workplace fires. Marshals watch for overloaded extension leads, damaged cabling and equipment left running unnecessarily, escalating concerns for proper inspection.

Fire marshal role during emergencies

When the alarm sounds, the fire marshal switches into a clearly defined emergency role. Wearing a high-visibility tabard so they can be easily identified, they take charge of getting their area out safely.

Emergency response procedures. Marshals conduct a sweep of their designated zone, checking enclosed spaces such as toilets, store rooms and meeting rooms, and closing doors and windows where it is safe to do so — without opening any door with a hot handle.

Guiding safe evacuation. They direct people calmly to the nearest safe exit, assist anyone who needs help, and ensure Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) are followed for those who require them.

Fire extinguisher use on small fires. A marshal may only tackle a fire if it is very small, they have been trained, the correct extinguisher is to hand, and their escape route remains clear behind them. If there is any doubt, the rule is simple: get out, stay out, and call 999.

Training, drills and staff education

Fire marshals are not only trained themselves — they help keep the whole workforce prepared.

Organising fire drills. Regular evacuation drills test the plan, build muscle memory and reveal problems before a real emergency. Marshals help run these, time the evacuation and feed back on what needs to improve.

Delivering fire safety awareness. Marshals reinforce the basics with colleagues — what the alarm sounds like, where the exits and assembly points are, and what to do (and not do) when the alarm sounds.

New starter induction and refreshers. Marshals help brief new staff on fire procedures and support ongoing awareness. Marshal training itself typically lasts around three to four hours and covers fire behaviour, UK legislation, evacuation procedures, area sweeps, roll calls, PEEPs and the safe use of firefighting equipment. No formal qualification beyond appropriate training certification is required, and refresher training is recommended roughly every three years.

Documentation, reporting and regulatory duties

Good record-keeping demonstrates compliance and supports continuous improvement. While the responsible person owns the overall fire safety records, marshals contribute the day-to-day detail.

Maintaining fire safety records. Logs of equipment checks, drills, training and identified hazards form an evidence trail that an inspector — or an insurer after an incident — will expect to see.

Incident investigation and reporting. After any incident or near miss, marshals report their evacuation findings to management and the emergency services, document who was accounted for, note any equipment failures or procedural issues, and record any injuries or assistance provided to vulnerable people. This supports post-incident reviews and any insurance claim.

As a general guide to retention, fire drill records are typically kept for at least three years, equipment maintenance logs for around five years, training certificates for the duration of employment plus a couple of years, and incident reports for ten years or longer.

Frequently asked questions

What are the main duties of a fire marshal in a workplace setting?
Fire marshals verify exits remain unlocked and unobstructed, check fire doors function correctly and ensure extinguishers are accessible. They monitor combustible storage, test emergency lighting and familiarise themselves with evacuation routes. They help new staff with fire procedures, organise drills and keep fire notices visible. During emergencies they wear high-visibility tabards and direct people to safe exits while assisting vulnerable persons.

How does a fire marshal contribute to fire risk assessments?
Marshals identify hazards and verify that escape routes remain clear, reporting issues to management promptly. The formal assessment itself is the employer's responsibility under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, but a marshal's practical workplace observations help the assessor understand real-world challenges.

What role does a fire marshal play in maintaining fire safety equipment?
They confirm extinguishers and blankets are accessible and properly positioned, check emergency lighting and know where equipment is located. They report faults promptly and understand which extinguisher types suit different classes of fire. They use equipment only when a fire is very small and escape routes remain clear.

What training is required to become a fire marshal?
Training covers fire behaviour, UK legislation, evacuation procedures and the use of firefighting equipment. Courses typically last three to four hours and address area sweeps, roll calls and PEEPs. No formal qualification beyond appropriate training certification is required, though refresher courses are recommended every three years.

How does a fire marshal coordinate evacuation during an emergency?
Marshals sweep their designated zones, checking enclosed spaces, and close doors and windows safely without opening hot handles. At assembly points they carry out a roll call using staff registers and report their findings to a senior marshal or the emergency services.

What are a fire marshal's reporting obligations after an incident?
They report evacuation findings to management and the emergency services, document who was accounted for, and note any equipment failures or procedural issues. They also record injuries and any assistance provided to vulnerable persons, supporting post-incident reviews and insurance claims.

Sources & references

• Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 — legislation.gov.uk
• Gov.UK — Fire safety in the workplace: the responsible person and fire risk assessment
• Fire Marshal Training — Fire Warden / Fire Marshal Course guidance

Mark McShane

Fire Safety Training Specialist, Online CPD Academy

Mark writes about workplace fire safety, compliance and accredited training for Fire Marshal Training, part of Online CPD Academy.