There is no difference between the role of a fire warden and fire marshal in most workplaces. However, some organisations may wish to use the two titles to help differentiate between two separate roles.
The main duties they are tasked with are taking steps to prevent fires and leading fire drills and evacuations.
Fire warden or fire marshal? Whatever title you give them, these people have a vital role to play to support effective fire safety in your workplace. They take both preventative and protective measures to safeguard the safety of their colleagues.
You should always ensure that your chosen employees complete a course in fire safety training. They will then be able to use this knowledge to carry out the following key duties of a fire warden:
The significance of the fire warden’s role has only increased following amendments to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, particularly those introduced by the Building Safety Act 2022. This legislation places a greater emphasis on the competence and cooperation of the Responsible Person and their appointees. The duties of a fire warden are now more critical than ever in maintaining compliance and a strong fire safety culture, especially considering the diverse environments across the UK, from busy leisure facilities to sprawling factory floors. Beyond simply checking the fire exits, modern fire wardens are increasingly involved in integrating fire safety with other business continuity measures, such as understanding how to build a security-first culture. They act as the on-the-ground champions of safety, bridging the gap between legal requirements and day-to-day operational safety.
A proactive warden will also be well-versed in the early signs of system malfunction. For instance, they must understand the importance of immediate action following a fire alarm activation—even if it is a false alarm. According to the latest UK Fire and Rescue Incident Statistics for England, false alarms due to apparatus are a growing issue, totalling over 183,000 in the last year. A properly trained warden can swiftly identify if a false alarm is due to a faulty detector or human error, which aids in reducing the number of call-outs that divert emergency services from genuine incidents. Furthermore, they are vital in communicating the importance of fire alarm monitoring to all staff. Their deep knowledge of the premises is also invaluable for conducting thorough and realistic fire drills, which are a cornerstone of effective emergency planning.
The role of a fire marshal typically involves the same responsibilities as that of a fire warden. It’s just a different title. However, there may be exceptions to this norm.
In larger workplaces, various employees may be recruited to support the person responsible for fire safety and given different titles. In order to split up the responsibilities of their fire safety team, the appropriate person may designate different duties for each. This layered approach is particularly common in complex environments like large property management sites or multi-tenanted buildings where coordination between different ‘Responsible Persons’ is a legal requirement. Here’s an example:
Deborah is the responsible person for fire safety at her IT firm in Leeds, which employs 100 people. She appoints and trains five people to support her plans for effective fire safety at the firm’s office, including:
The fire marshals arrange risk assessments at the office and work with wardens to minimise risk. In the event of a fire drill or a real-life emergency, they lead the evacuation of the building. They also ensure that nobody returns to the office until it is safe. Their advanced knowledge often stems from certified fire warden training courses.
The fire wardens test fire alarms and equipment and fulfil recommendations from risk assessments. If there is a fire drill or a genuine fire breaks out, they stand at designated assembly points and account for colleagues. They are the initial point of contact for colleagues and are trained in using different types of fire extinguishers.
A business’s owner has overall responsibility for fire safety in their workplace, along with anybody else who controls the premises. This could, for example, include a Facilities Manager.
Under the Fire Safety Order 2005, this individual is known as the ‘Responsible Person’. If there is more than one responsible person, they must work together and may appoint a team of fire wardens to support them. Following the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and subsequent legislation, the duties of the Responsible Person have been significantly clarified and expanded, requiring greater transparency and documentation, as detailed in the comprehensive guides published by the UK Government’s Fire Safety responsibilities framework. For those in multi-occupied buildings, co-operation with the Accountable Person (under the Building Safety Act) is also crucial, an area we explore further in our article on fire safety compliance for landlords.
Fire safety legislation doesn’t state that a particular number of fire wardens is required. Instead, the number must be determined by the findings of your current fire risk assessment. As a general rule of thumb, one fire warden is usually appointed for every 20 people that work at the premises. Your business may have a higher fire risk than most if, for example, flammable materials are stored on site, as is common in the utilities sector. If that is the case you should increase the number of fire wardens accordingly.
It’s important to consider that fire wardens will need to complete training courses in order to carry out their duties effectively. When each of them completes their fire warden training courses, you can:
Another consideration when appointing your fire wardens is staff absence. You should make sure that fire wardens do not all take the same period of annual leave. It is imperative that a sufficient number of fire wardens are always present during opening hours so they can perform their duty in the event of a fire. A useful resource for calculating the ideal number of safety personnel is the guidance provided by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on staff safety ratios, ensuring you have adequate coverage across all shifts and areas. We discuss this further in our article on creating fire safety champions within your team.
Fire wardens are usually appointed by the person responsible for fire safety in your organisation. Before they can start carrying out their role, they should receive fire warden training from a provider that is recognised by the Institute of Fire Engineers (IFE) or another accredited body.
This is an organisation that was set up in 1918 to assess the knowledge of fire and professional experience.
Not only does becoming a fire warden allow you to help make your workplace a safer environment, but the experience gained in areas like emergency protocol and risk assessment can also significantly increase your employability in the future. We often advise businesses to view this training as an investment in both safety and staff development.
Upon completion of their training course, a fire warden will receive a certificate. This is typically valid for three years. After this period, the fire warden should be booked in for a refresher course. As a result, they will update their knowledge on fire safety and receive a new certificate, ensuring they are always current with the latest best practices and legislative changes. This regular updating is crucial given the dynamic nature of fire safety, including advancements in predictive maintenance for systems.
Interested in finding out more about fire safety in your workplace? Our comprehensive guides are free to download. Alternatively you can register your interest in our fire warden training course online or contact our team for more information.
