Introduction

In fire safety we often hear the terms 'fire marshal and fire warden', and there is often much confusion between the names, roles, and requirement of each.

Therefore what’s the difference between a Fire Warden and Fire Marshal?

Often there is no difference between the roles people are asked to carry out either as a fire warden or fire marshal.

Organisations may appoint fire marshals, or fire wardens, or both. In organisations that appoint either / or, these nominated people will usually carry out the same duties.

Both have fire safety responsibilities, and both need to have adequate fire safety awareness and training. In organisations that appoint both, they usually will identify a difference between the two roles.

In this scenario, Fire Wardens will usually have day to day fire management duties. Duties will include spot checks, risk assessment, reporting and monitoring of fire safety within the workplace. A pro-active fire safety role.

Fire Marshals on the other hand, will have more of a re-active fire safety role. In the event of a fire, they will take charge of alarms, evacuation, firefighting procedures and roll calls.

Where only one or the other role is appointed, chances are the fire marshal or fire warden will carry out both roles, overseen by the ultimate person responsible for fire safety in the premises (the ‘responsible person’).

Does the Fire Safety Order give a definition of Fire Warden or Fire Marshal?

There is no clear definition of each role. In fact, there is no reference at all to the roles of fire marshal or fire warden in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO), which places fire safety duties on organisations in England and Wales.

What the RRFSO does require, is for the responsible person to nominate sufficient numbers of competent people within the organisation to assist with fire safety duties.

15. (b) nominate a sufficient number of competent persons to implement those procedures in so far as they relate to the evacuation of relevant persons from the premises.

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

The duties these nominated people will need to assist with include fire-fighting and fire detection, evacuation, and provide fire safety assistance.

Whether these nominated persons are called fire marshals, fire wardens or any other name is a choice made within the business.

Can I do Fire Marshal Training Online?

Yes, we have available a fully interactive online training course aimed at refreshing the skills of a fire warden and fire marshal; covering key areas of fire safety, evacuation and fire management.

The Fire Marshal/Warden Online Training Course is available via our single licence option or with a company licence for those clients requiring multiple people to complete the training course.

How long does a fire Warden / Fire Marshall course take?

Most of our courses have a seat time of approximately 90 mins; obviously the time to complete a course depends on each learner. All courses offer book marking in order for the trainee to take bite sized sessions if required to activate book marking simply exit the course and accept the bookmark on your return.