in this guide
What is a fire warden? Day-to-day and emergency duties How many do you need? The law & training"Fire warden" and "fire marshal" mean the same thing: a member of staff trained to help prevent fires and to take charge if one breaks out. They're a cornerstone of any workplace fire plan — and for most premises, having trained wardens is effectively a legal necessity.
What is a fire warden?
A fire warden is a nominated, trained employee who supports the "responsible person" (usually the employer or building manager) in carrying out fire safety duties. They're the eyes and ears of fire prevention day to day, and the calm head guiding people out safely in an emergency.
Day-to-day and emergency duties
Everyday (prevention):
- Checking fire exits and escape routes are clear
- Spotting and reporting fire hazards
- Making sure fire doors aren't wedged open
- Checking extinguishers and alarms are in place
- Helping with fire drills and induction of new staff
In an emergency:
- Raising the alarm and helping with a safe, orderly evacuation
- Sweeping their area to check everyone has left
- Assisting people who need extra help (PEEPs)
- Taking a roll call at the assembly point
- Liaising with the fire service on arrival
- Using a fire extinguisher only if trained and safe to do so
How many fire wardens do you need?
As with first aid, there's no fixed legal ratio — it comes from your fire risk assessment. As a rule of thumb, you need enough wardens to cover every floor and area, on every shift, with cover for holidays and absence. A small low-risk office might need one or two; a larger or higher-risk site will need several across each zone.
The law & training
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the responsible person to provide suitable fire safety training and appoint enough competent people to help implement fire safety measures. Trained fire wardens are how most organisations meet that duty.
Our Level 2 Award in Fire Safety gives your wardens the legal knowledge and practical confidence — including hands-on extinguisher options — in a single half-day session, with a nationally-recognised certificate valid for 3 years.