If you’re in charge of health & safety in your workplace or you’ve been tasked with attending a fire marshal or fire warden course, you may be wondering what is the difference between a fire warden and a fire marshal.
In the United Kingdom, there is no legal difference between the terms ‘fire warden’ and ‘fire marshal’. They are interchangeable and refer to the same role with the same responsibilities. This confusion seems to arise from the fact that in the USA, fire wardens and fire marshals are members of the fire brigade with distinct roles. In the UK fire wardens and fire marshals are civilians with fire safety responsibilities in the workplace.
What is a fire marshal?
When it comes to fire safety in the workplace, one of the most important roles is that of the fire marshal. Fire marshals are responsible for ensuring that all employees are aware of the fire hazards in their workplace and know what to do in the event of a fire. They also play a vital role in evacuation procedures, making sure that everyone gets out safely in the event of a fire.
As a fire marshal, you will need to be familiar with the fire safety procedures in your workplace and be able to communicate these to others. You will also need to conduct regular fire drills to ensure that everyone knows what to do in the event of a real fire. In addition, you will need to keep an eye out for potential fire hazards and make sure that they are dealt with promptly.
If you are appointed as a fire marshal in your workplace, it is important that you take your role seriously and make sure that you are always prepared for a fire emergency.
How to become a fire marshal
Becoming a fire marshal is not difficult, but there are some specific requirements that must be met. First, potential fire marshals must complete a Fire Safety Awareness course. This course will provide them with the basic knowledge and skills necessary to perform their duties effectively.
Once the Fire Safety Awareness course has been completed, potential fire marshals must then pass a practical assessment. This assessment will test their ability to put their knowledge into practice and to evacuate a building safely in the event of an emergency.
After successfully completing both the Fire Safety Awareness course and the practical assessment, individuals will be formally appointed as fire wardens by their employers. It is important to note that fire wardens must be re-assessed on a regular basis to ensure that they are still competent in their role.
The exception to the rule…
In large enough workplaces, there may be reason to separate the responsibilities of fire wardens and fire marshals. For example, in the event of fire, the fire marshals may be responsible for managing the evacuation from outside. The fire wardens might be responsible for evacuating people from inside the building, including the fire marshals, ensuring they are the last person to leave. The business may also split fire prevention and safety duties in a similar way.
Conclusion
A fire marshal in a UK workplace is responsible for ensuring that the workplace is safe in case of a fire. They are responsible for evacuation procedures and for making sure that all employees are aware of the hazards in the event of a fire. Fire marshals play an important role in keeping workplaces safe, and they should be properly trained to do so.
