Fire marshals, also called fire wardens, help the Responsible Person manage fire safety arrangements in a premises. Their role usually includes supporting fire prevention, helping with evacuation, checking escape routes, reporting defects and making sure people know what to do if a fire occurs.
UK fire safety law does not always require a role with the exact title “fire marshal” or “fire warden”. However, the Responsible Person must have suitable arrangements for fire safety, emergency planning, training and evacuation. Appointing trained fire marshals is a practical way to help meet those duties.
This guide explains what fire marshals do, what they should check, how they support evacuation, how many may be needed and how their role links to fire risk assessments, fire drills and emergency plans.
Quick Answer
A fire marshal helps the Responsible Person manage fire safety by supporting prevention, checking escape routes, reporting defects, helping with fire drills and assisting evacuation if a fire occurs. Fire marshals should receive suitable training and their duties should reflect the premises, occupancy, risk level and emergency plan.
What Is a Fire Marshal?
A fire marshal is a person appointed to help manage fire safety arrangements in a building. In many workplaces, the term fire marshal and fire warden are used in the same way.
The role is usually practical rather than legalistic. Fire marshals help make sure fire safety procedures are understood, escape routes are kept clear, fire hazards are reported and evacuation arrangements work in practice.
Are Fire Marshals a Legal Requirement?
Fire safety law does not generally say every premises must appoint someone with the specific job title “fire marshal”. However, the Responsible Person must plan for an emergency, provide staff with information, instruction and training, and make sure suitable fire safety arrangements are in place.
In many premises, appointing trained fire marshals or fire wardens is the simplest way to show that emergency procedures and day-to-day fire safety checks are being actively managed.
The number and level of fire marshal cover should be based on the fire risk assessment, the size and layout of the premises, occupancy levels, shift patterns, lone working, vulnerable people and the evacuation strategy.
Fire Marshal Responsibilities Before a Fire
Much of the fire marshal role is preventative. Fire marshals should help identify and report issues before they become serious.
- Checking that escape routes are clear
- Checking that final exits can be opened
- Reporting blocked corridors, staircases or fire exits
- Checking that fire doors are not wedged open
- Reporting damaged fire doors, signs or emergency lighting
- Checking that fire action notices are visible
- Reporting poor housekeeping or combustible storage
- Helping new staff understand emergency procedures
- Supporting fire drills and evacuation exercises
Fire Marshal Duties During an Evacuation
During a fire alarm or evacuation, fire marshal duties should follow the emergency plan. They should not take unnecessary risks or delay their own escape.
- Encourage people to leave by the correct escape routes
- Help direct visitors, contractors or members of the public
- Check assigned areas only where it is safe to do so
- Report to the assembly point or incident lead
- Communicate any missing persons, blocked routes or known issues
- Assist with PEEPs or agreed evacuation support where trained and safe
Fire marshals should not fight fires unless they have been trained, it is safe to do so, and the emergency plan allows it. Life safety and evacuation come first.
Fire Marshal Duties After an Evacuation
After an evacuation, fire marshals may help with roll-call arrangements, reporting problems, recording drill findings and feeding back any issues that affected evacuation.
For example, a fire marshal might report that a final exit was obstructed, people ignored the alarm, a visitor did not know where to go, or an assisted evacuation arrangement did not work as expected.
These findings should be recorded and used to update the fire risk assessment, emergency plan, training or building procedures where needed.
Fire Marshal Daily and Weekly Checks
Fire marshal checks should be proportionate to the premises. In some buildings, checks may be simple and informal. In larger or higher-risk premises, they may be part of a documented inspection programme.
| Check | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Escape routes | Clear corridors, staircases, exits and final exit routes. |
| Fire doors | Doors closed, not wedged open, no obvious damage, self-closers working where visible. |
| Fire alarm panel | No fault lights or unmanaged warnings, where checking is part of local procedure. |
| Fire extinguishers | In place, visible, unobstructed and not obviously damaged. |
| Housekeeping | No combustible storage in escape routes, risers, plant rooms or electrical cupboards. |
| Signs and notices | Fire action notices, exit signs and warning signs visible and legible. |
Any defects should be reported and tracked. See our guide to fire safety logbooks.
How Many Fire Marshals Do You Need?
There is no single number that applies to every premises. The number of fire marshals should be based on the fire risk assessment and the practical needs of the building.
Factors include:
- Number of floors and escape routes
- Building layout and complexity
- Number of occupants
- Members of the public or visitors
- Shift patterns and lone working
- People who may need assistance to evacuate
- Fire risk level and activities carried out
- Whether the premises has sleeping accommodation
Fire Marshal Training
Fire marshals should receive suitable training for the duties they are expected to perform. Training should be repeated periodically and updated when procedures, building layout, equipment or risks change.
Training may cover:
- Fire prevention and common causes of fire
- Emergency procedures and evacuation strategy
- How to raise the alarm
- Escape routes and assembly points
- Fire marshal duties before, during and after evacuation
- PEEPs and assisted evacuation arrangements where relevant
- Use of extinguishers where expected and safe
- Reporting defects and recording checks
Fire Marshals, Fire Drills and Emergency Plans
Fire marshals should understand the premises emergency plan and take part in fire drills where appropriate. Fire drills help test whether procedures work in practice and whether fire marshals understand their roles.
If a drill identifies confusion, blocked routes, slow evacuation, poor communication or gaps in fire marshal cover, the Responsible Person should review the emergency plan and training arrangements.
Related guides: fire drills, fire evacuation plans and fire safety management and emergency plans.
How Fire Risk Assessment Network Can Help
Fire Risk Assessment Network can help responsible persons arrange fire risk assessments and related compliance support. A suitable fire risk assessment can identify whether fire marshal arrangements, training, evacuation procedures and daily checks are suitable for the premises.
Need Fire Safety Compliance Support?
If you are unsure whether your fire marshal arrangements, emergency plan or fire safety records are suitable, Fire Risk Assessment Network can help arrange competent fire safety support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main responsibilities of a fire marshal?
Fire marshal responsibilities usually include helping prevent fire, checking escape routes, reporting defects, supporting fire drills, helping evacuation and communicating issues to the Responsible Person.
Is a fire marshal a legal requirement?
The law does not always require the specific title fire marshal, but the Responsible Person must have suitable fire safety and emergency arrangements. Appointing trained fire marshals is a common way to help meet those duties.
How many fire marshals does a business need?
The number should be based on the fire risk assessment, building layout, occupancy, shift patterns, visitor numbers, vulnerable people and evacuation strategy.
Do fire marshals need training?
Yes. Fire marshals should receive suitable training for the role they are expected to perform, and training should be refreshed periodically or when risks and procedures change.
Can a fire marshal fight a fire?
Only if they have been trained, it is safe to do so, and the emergency plan allows it. Evacuation and life safety should always come first.
Should fire marshal checks be recorded?
Important checks, defects, drill findings and actions should be recorded so the Responsible Person can show that fire safety arrangements are being monitored and maintained.
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