Fire safety training is a core part of workplace fire safety. It helps staff understand the precautions in place, the emergency procedures they need to follow and the actions expected from them if a fire occurs.
Is fire safety training a legal requirement for employers?
Yes. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, employers and other Responsible Persons must provide employees with adequate fire safety information, instruction and training where the Order applies.
Current government guidance states that new staff should receive fire safety training when they start work and that employees should be told about new fire risks. You can read the official GOV.UK workplace fire safety training guidance.
When should staff receive fire safety training?
Training should be provided when employees are first employed, normally as part of induction. It should then be repeated periodically.
Further training is required when employees are exposed to new or increased risks. This can include:
- a change of role or responsibility
- changes to work equipment
- the introduction of new technology
- a new system of work
- changes to the premises or emergency arrangements
How often should fire safety training be refreshed?
There is no single statutory refresher interval that applies to every workplace. Government guidance says training should be repeated periodically and notes recognised practice of no less frequently than annually, although the correct interval should reflect the risks in the premises.
Higher-risk premises may require more frequent refresher training. Government guidance specifically highlights settings such as care homes and premises where people sleep as examples where more frequent training may be necessary.
The appropriate frequency should therefore be considered as part of the fire risk assessment.
What should workplace fire safety training cover?
The exact content should reflect the building, emergency plan, work activities and the findings of the fire risk assessment. Training may include:
- common fire hazards and basic prevention
- what to do when a fire is discovered
- how to raise the alarm
- the meaning of alarm signals
- escape routes and final exits
- assembly arrangements
- the importance of keeping fire doors closed and escape routes clear
- the role of staff during an evacuation
- arrangements for people who may need assistance
- use of firefighting equipment where staff are expected and trained to use it
- reporting fire-safety defects or hazards
The government’s detailed guide says training must be suitable and sufficient to enable employees to understand the fire-safety measures in the premises and the actions needed to safeguard themselves and other relevant people. See the official guide for persons with fire-safety duties.
What about fire marshals and fire wardens?
Employees who have additional fire-safety responsibilities need instruction appropriate to those duties. Their training should reflect the emergency plan, the layout of the premises, the people who may need assistance and the actions expected from them during an incident.
Fire marshal or fire warden training should not be treated as a replacement for general staff awareness. Staff still need to understand the basic procedures that apply to them.
Should training be based on the fire risk assessment?
Yes. The fire risk assessment should identify relevant risks, people who may be especially at risk and the preventive and protective measures in place. Training should then help staff understand how those measures work in practice.
Government guidance for offices and shops says workplace training should take account of the findings of the fire risk assessment, explain emergency procedures, reflect work activities and be repeated periodically where appropriate. See the official offices and shops fire-safety guide.
Fire drills and training records
Government guidance says businesses should carry out at least one fire drill per year and record the results as part of the fire safety and evacuation plan. Depending on the premises, drills may also help test whether staff training and emergency arrangements work as intended.
Keeping records of training dates, attendees, subjects covered and drills can help the Responsible Person demonstrate that fire-safety arrangements are being managed.
Fire safety training for higher-risk premises
Premises such as care homes, supported living, hotels and other sleeping accommodation may need training that goes beyond a generic workplace session. Staff may need a detailed understanding of evacuation strategies, assistance for vulnerable occupants, compartmentation and the roles they are expected to perform.
Where the building or occupancy creates more complex risks, training frequency and content should be considered carefully alongside the fire risk assessment.
Further reading: For a complete overview of induction, refresher training, fire marshals, drills and training records, see our Complete Workplace Fire Safety Training Guide.
Arrange fire safety training
SJ Fire Safety Consultants provides practical fire safety training for UK workplaces, alongside fire risk assessments and fire door inspections. Training can be tailored to the premises, staff roles and fire-safety arrangements.
Contact us to discuss fire safety training for your team.
Explore more guidance: Visit our Fire Safety Articles & Guidance hub for practical advice on fire risk assessments, fire doors and workplace fire safety.