Fire marshals and fire wardens are the same thing – trained people who help keep everyone safe and get them out if there's a fire. The law doesn't use either name, but it does require you to have them.
What the Law Says
Across the UK, the person responsible for the premises must appoint enough competent people to help with fire safety and to carry out an evacuation. "Competent" means they have enough training, experience and knowledge for the role. Where possible, they should be your own employees. See Do I Need a Fire Risk Assessment? for the law in each nation.
How Many Do I Need?
There's no legal ratio – your fire risk assessment decides. A widely used rule of thumb is:
- Low-risk premises (such as offices) – about 1 for every 50 people.
- Medium risk – about 1 for every 20 people.
- High risk – about 1 for every 15 people.
This is industry guidance, not law. More important is making sure every area and every shift is covered, with deputies for holidays and sickness.
What Does a Fire Marshal Do?
- Raise the alarm and make sure 999 has been called.
- Check their area is clear and guide people to the nearest safe exit.
- Help with the roll call at the assembly point.
- Help run fire drills.
- Carry out routine checks – exits clear, fire doors shut, signs in place, extinguishers present.
- Report hazards to the person responsible for fire safety.
Fire marshals are not expected to fight a fire unless it's very small, they're trained to, and it's safe.
Training
The law requires adequate training but doesn't set how often it's renewed. Fire marshal certificates are commonly treated as valid for three years, with yearly refreshers in higher-risk premises such as care homes. Keep a record of who was trained, when and by whom – see Fire Safety Log Books: What to Record.
Worth remembering… your fire risk assessment is what decides what your premises need. This guide is general advice, not a substitute for it.
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