How Many Fire Marshals Does My Business Need? | Complete UK Employer Guide
How Many Fire Marshals Does My Business Need?
If you're responsible for health and safety within your organisation, you've probably asked:
"How many Fire Marshals do we actually need?"
The answer is simple:
There is no legal requirement stating an exact number of Fire Marshals every business must appoint.
Instead, employers must ensure they have suitable arrangements in place to safely evacuate people in the event of a fire.
The number of Fire Marshals your organisation needs depends on your building, workforce and the risks identified in your Fire Risk Assessment.
In this guide, we'll explain what employers should consider and how to decide what is appropriate for their workplace.
Is It a Legal Requirement to Have Fire Marshals?
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places a legal duty on the Responsible Person to ensure appropriate fire safety measures are in place.
Although the legislation doesn't specify an exact number of Fire Marshals, employers should appoint enough competent people to help manage a safe evacuation if required.
What Determines How Many Fire Marshals You Need?
Every workplace is different, but your Fire Risk Assessment should consider several key factors.
Number of Employees
Larger organisations usually require more Fire Marshals to ensure adequate cover throughout the working day.
Remember to account for annual leave, sickness and staff turnover.
Building Size and Layout
A small office on one floor requires very different arrangements compared with:
- Multi-storey buildings
- Schools
- Leisure centres
- Warehouses
- Care homes
- Industrial premises
Large or complex buildings often require additional Fire Marshals to coordinate safe evacuations.
Shift Patterns
If your business operates evenings, weekends or night shifts, suitable Fire Marshal cover should be available whenever the building is occupied.
Fire Risks
Consider whether your workplace contains:
- Kitchens
- Plant rooms
- Workshops
- Flammable materials
- Electrical equipment
- Storage areas
Higher-risk environments may require additional trained personnel.
Visitors and Members of the Public
Businesses that regularly welcome customers, pupils, contractors or visitors should consider how these people would be safely evacuated during an emergency.
Employees Who May Need Assistance
Some individuals may require additional support during an evacuation.
Your emergency procedures should take account of anyone who may have reduced mobility or other needs that could affect their ability to leave the building safely.
What Does a Fire Marshal Do?
Fire Marshals play an important role before, during and after an emergency. Their responsibilities go beyond simply raising the alarm and can include:
- Supporting the safe evacuation of staff, visitors and members of the public.
- Checking designated areas where it is safe to do so.
- Reporting information to the Responsible Person or the Fire and Rescue Service.
- Helping to prevent panic and directing people to assembly points.
- Identifying fire hazards and reporting concerns.
- Promoting good fire safety practices within the workplace.
- Being familiar with Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) and understanding how individuals who may need additional assistance would be evacuated safely during an emergency.
- Taking part in fire drills and helping to review evacuation procedures after exercises or incidents.
It's important to remember that Fire Marshals should only carry out their duties if it is safe to do so. Their role is to support a safe evacuation, not to put themselves at unnecessary risk.
What Are PEEPs?
That gives you another keyword to rank for, and many employers search specifically for PEEPs.
You could explain:
- What a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) is.
- Who may need one (for example, people with mobility impairments, hearing or visual impairments, temporary injuries, or other needs that could affect evacuation).
- Why Fire Marshals should be aware of them.
- How PEEPs fit into an organisation's overall fire safety arrangements.
How Often Should Fire Marshal Training Be Refreshed?
There is no single legal renewal period.
However, many organisations choose to refresh Fire Marshal training every three years, or sooner if:
- The workplace changes significantly.
- Fire procedures are updated.
- New risks are introduced.
- Staff responsibilities change.
Regular refresher training helps ensure Fire Marshals remain confident and familiar with emergency procedures.
Why Practical Training Matters
Fire safety isn't just about understanding legislation.
Effective training should give staff the confidence to:
- Respond calmly.
- Support an organised evacuation.
- Recognise fire hazards.
- Understand their responsibilities.
- Apply emergency procedures within their own workplace.
At Elite Lifesaving Skills, we tailor our Fire Marshal training to your organisation, using realistic examples that reflect your building, staff and working environment.
Why Choose Elite Lifesaving Skills?
We provide practical Fire Marshal training across London, Essex and the surrounding areas.
Our instructor-led courses focus on building confidence, encouraging discussion and ensuring delegates understand how to apply fire safety principles in their own workplace.
Whether you manage a school, office, leisure centre, warehouse or community organisation, we can tailor training to meet your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a legal ratio of Fire Marshals?
No. The appropriate number depends on your Fire Risk Assessment and the needs of your workplace.
Can one Fire Marshal cover an entire building?
In some small, low-risk workplaces this may be appropriate. Larger or more complex buildings often require several Fire Marshals.
Does Fire Marshal training expire?
There is no legal expiry date, but many organisations refresh training every three years or when significant workplace changes occur.
Can Fire Marshal training be delivered at our workplace?
Yes. Elite Lifesaving Skills delivers on-site Fire Marshal training tailored to your workplace and procedures.
Need Fire Marshal Training?
Unsure whether your organisation has enough Fire Marshals or needs refresher training?
Elite Lifesaving Skills can help you understand your responsibilities and deliver practical Fire Marshal training tailored to your workplace.
📧 Email: jamesbell@elitelifesavingskills.com