Sam Crudgington

Fire Marshal duties and responsibilities – do you know what they are? No it is not evacuating people out of the building. Although this is an important part of their role, their main duty is actually to PREVENT fires. It is their day-to-day duties that can bring the most benefit to their workplace.

 ‘Reactive’ Fire Marshal duties and responsibilities

They should be checking….

Fire Marshal duties and responsibilities essex Fire signage - Total Safe UK Essex and the South East

  • Fire Extinguishers are serviced, well maintained, and located in the right position; 
  • Emergency exits are free from obstruction;
  • Fire Doors (daily), checking that they are in good working order;
  • Fire alarms (weekly);
  • Smoking areas are kept clean and ashtrays are emptied regularly;
  • Fire Saftey Signs are in the correct location;
  • Fire Drills (annually).

So far so good…

But what if, despite all your Fire Marshal’s best efforts, you’re unlucky enough to have a fire?

‘Proactive’ duties the designated Fire Marshal is responsible for…

  • RAISING THE ALARM; raise the alarm and contact the fire bridge if your business isn’t automatically linked to the servicesfire marshal training duties health and safety signage
  • DOORS & FIRE DOORS; ensure all are closed to help prevent the fire from spreading
  • EMERGENCY EXITS; direct people towards the emergency exits. Does everyone know where to go? Does anyone need assistance with this?
  • ‘PEEP’; who needs extra assistance in exiting the building? Fire Marshals should have a ‘PEEP’ (Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan) pre-planned and in place for more vulnerable colleagues i.e. those with a disability, elderly members of the team or pregnant women.
  • FLOOR SWEEP; conduct a floor sweep to see if anyone has been left behind. Make sure that everyone has left the premises. Your sweep should include the toilets and walk-in storage areas.
  • ROLL CALL; help with the roll call at the assembly point. Make sure everyone has exited the building and any absent individuals are accounted for.
  • FIRE EXTIGUISHERS; as designated Fire Marshal you should know how to use an extinguisher and be confident in using one to fight a small fire safely.

fire marshal duties trainingSign up for a course with Total Safe!

These are all points that should be covered on any sound Fire Marshal Course. Total Safe run courses throughout the year; offering closed courses for up to 12 people at you own venue and open courses for you to join locally. To book a course with us, contact the team today on 01375 2265950 or email us at [email protected].