Fire wardens, also commonly called fire marshals, play a vital role in workplace fire safety. They are tasked with keeping everyone in the workplace safe in the event of fire breaking out.
The key to businesses ensuring the work environment is fire safe is preparation. This also involves appointing fire wardens.
What is a Fire Warden?
A fire warden is a member of staff who has been chosen to ensure fire safety standards are maintained in the work environment.
They will be trained in fire safety procedures, and given responsibility for making sure all fire safety measures and equipment are properly maintained.
A fire warden is integral to the smooth running of fire drills. They must make sure everyone has evacuated the building safely when there is a fire drill or in the event of a fire emergency.
Fire Warden Duties
Fire warden duties will differ depending on the work environment and the size of the workplace.
There’s a lot more to being a warden than running fire drills. There are day to day admin tasks, as well as the all important job of getting everyone safely out of the building and accounted for in the event of fire.
Day to Day
The day to day responsibilities of a fire marshal typically include:-
- Checking all the fire alarms are working and performing regular testing.
- Ensuring emergency exits are kept clear at all times.
- Make sure the emergency exits are well signposted and visible to all.
- Being sure fire extinguishers are correctly positioned.
- Keeping a log of when extinguishers are serviced where applicable.
- Checking fire doors are in good working order at all times.
- Regularly checking any emergency lighting.
- Ensuring any fire safety posters are up to date with the correct information.
- Being sure that everyone knows you are the fire warden in case of an emergency.
- Checking any potential fire hazards are stored safely and appropriately.
- Make sure all appliances are PAT tested regularly.
- Being responsible for the annual fire drills.
- Keeping on top of paperwork from fire drills, including identifying fire hazards.
- Keeping on top of fire safety training, ensuring everyone has access to it.
During a Fire Emergency
During a fire emergency, the responsibilities of the fire marshal include:
- Sounding the fire alarms if this hasn’t already occurred.
- Making sure all doors are kept closed to try and contain the spread of the fire.
- Checking that everyone is evacuating safely, including anyone with disabilities.
- Doing a sweep of the building to make sure everyone is out.
- Turning off any equipment if not putting oneself in danger.
- Deciding to use a fire extinguisher if safe to do so and emergency services are en route.
- Knowing which fire extinguisher is suitable for the class of fire.
- Being 100% certain everyone is accounted for once outside by doing a register.
- Communicating with the emergency services.
How Many Fire Wardens Should There be in the Workplace?
To remain on the right side of UK fire safety legislation, there must be fire wardens appointed in every workplace.
There are, however, no hard and fast rules for how many fire wardens there should be. It is important to consider the following when deciding how many your business needs:
- The number of people in the workplace.
- The number of floors in the building.
- The layout of the workplace.
- The type of workplace.
- How fast can each area realistically be swept and evacuated safely?
- Ensuring all shifts have fire wardens.
It is also important to consider if any staff need assistance in an evacuation. This will impact the number of fire wardens required as in some cases there may need to be a 1:1 ratio.
Generally, a fire warden should be able to complete a sweep and get themselves out within 2.5 minutes. For larger areas, there should be 2 wardens per floor.
Fire Warden Training & Equipment
It isn’t as easy as picking a name out of a hat and giving a staff member the job of a fire warden.
Whoever is chosen, is now officially responsible for compliance with UK workplace fire safety laws. As such, they will need the appropriate training and equipment to successfully fulfil the role. They must be competent and able to take an active role in fire safety. They will be expected to work alongside the manager to discuss safety issues.
Fire marshals can also be kitted out with some equipment to suport their role. A hi viz with fire warden printed on it will make it clear to everyone who the marshals are. Other relevant accessories include torches and a horn.
Fire Warden Training Courses
Your newly appointed fire wardens must take part in a training course relevant to their new role.
This will help them understand their responsibilities and how to ensure they comply with UK fire safety legislation. Courses can be completed online which is often the preferred option in terms of convenience. However, if there are a few staff to train up, it may be worth organising an in house training event.
Fire Warden Training Courses will cover the following:
- Fire safety laws.
- What happens in the event of non compliance.
- Fire triangles.
- How fires work.
- Different types of fire extinguishers.
- Conducting risk assessments.
- Fire safety arrangements.
- Emergency and evacuation procedures.
Fire Warden Kits
Wardens can be kitted out with specialised equipment suited to their role. This kit will ensure any fire emergency runs smoothly.
In a kit, you can expect to find the following:
- An emergency bag that is big enough for the kit.
- High visibility vests.
- High visibility armbands.
- Megaphones or air horns.
- Emergency whistles
- Emergency glow sticks.
- A torch
FAQs
It is not a legal obligation for employers to pay their staff extra for becoming fire wardens. That being said, it should not cost the individual anything either. This means any essential training and travelling expenses should be covered by the employer.
Fire wardens can carry out a fire risk assessment providing they have the relevant training to do so. There are plenty of courses on how to effectively tackle a fire safety risk assessment for the workplace.
Fire wardens can also be the designated first aider on site but they don’t have to be. Sometimes giving the responsibility of the first aider to someone else makes more sense. If the fire marshal is also the first aider then they should take their first aid kit with them when they evacuate.
