Fire Marshal Course (UK) 2026
This course is for security officers and other staff who act as fire marshals or fire wardens in the UK. It covers fire safety law, the fire risk assessment, raising the alarm, evacuation, drills and records. It is background knowledge only: your employer must still train you on your own site's fire plan, as fire safety law requires.
Quick answer
This free course has about 30 minutes of lessons and a 25-question test. Score 80% or more to download a certificate of completion (private, not accredited). Checked against official sources on October 13, 2026.
What you will learn
- Name the fire safety law that applies in each part of the UK
- Explain who the responsible person is and what they must do
- Describe the five steps of a fire risk assessment
- Carry out everyday fire safety checks as a fire marshal
- Raise the alarm and help run a safe evacuation
- Explain how fire drills and training are planned and recorded
Score 80% or more to download your certificate.
-
Question 1 of 25
Show answer
Answer: C. The employer, if the workplace is under their control
Article 3 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 makes the employer the responsible person for a workplace that is to any extent under their control.
-
Question 2 of 25
Show answer
Answer: C. Part 3 of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005
In Scotland, fire safety duties for workplaces and other relevant premises are in Part 3 of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005. The Fire Safety Order covers England and Wales.
-
Question 3 of 25
Show answer
Answer: D. The Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010
Northern Ireland has its own rules: Part 3 of the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and the Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010, which cover risk assessment, means of fighting fire and training.
-
Question 4 of 25
Show answer
Answer: D. Nominate enough competent people to carry out evacuation
Article 15 says the responsible person must nominate a sufficient number of competent persons to carry out the evacuation procedures.
-
Question 5 of 25
Show answer
Answer: D. When they have enough training, experience or knowledge to do it properly
The Fire Safety Order says a person is competent if they have sufficient training and experience or knowledge and other qualities to carry out the measures properly.
-
Question 6 of 25
Show answer
Answer: C. Every responsible person
Article 9(6) of the Fire Safety Order, as changed by the Building Safety Act 2022 from 1 October 2023, requires every responsible person to record the assessment.
-
Question 7 of 25
Show answer
Answer: A. Identify people at risk
The government's five steps are: identify fire hazards, identify people at risk, evaluate and reduce the risk, record and train, then review.
-
Question 8 of 25
Show answer
Answer: C. The people nearest the fire
Scottish fire safety guidance explains that a phased evacuation alerts the people nearest the fire first, then others when needed.
-
Question 9 of 25
Show answer
Answer: B. No, it can give advice but cannot do the assessment
GOV.UK says the fire and rescue authority can advise, but it cannot carry out risk assessments. The responsible person does it or appoints a competent person.
-
Question 10 of 25
Show answer
Answer: A. It takes effect at once and bans or limits use of the premises
A prohibition notice takes effect immediately when the fire risk is so great that access to the premises needs to be prohibited or restricted.
-
Question 11 of 25
Show answer
Answer: A. An unlimited fine and up to 2 years in prison
GOV.UK says minor penalties can be up to £5,000, and major penalties can mean unlimited fines and up to 2 years in prison.
-
Question 12 of 25
Show answer
Answer: D. Tell your employer or the person they have named for safety
Article 23 of the Fire Safety Order says employees must tell their employer about serious and immediate dangers and gaps in the fire safety arrangements.
-
Question 13 of 25
Show answer
Answer: B. Check everyone is out and tell the fire service
Emergency plans cover roll call at the assembly point and meeting the fire and rescue service to pass on details of the incident.
-
Question 14 of 25
Show answer
Answer: D. When they face new or increased risks, like a new role
Article 21 requires training when people are first employed and when they are exposed to new or increased risks, such as a change of duties or new equipment.
-
Question 15 of 25
Show answer
Answer: A. Every 6 months
London Fire Brigade advises that staff with specific fire safety duties get detailed instruction and refresher training every 6 months.
-
Question 16 of 25
Show answer
Answer: A. Operate the nearest fire alarm call point
Manual call points let the person who discovers a fire raise the alarm at once.
-
Question 17 of 25
Show answer
Answer: C. Immediately, whatever alarm system the building has
Official guidance says that whatever warning or detection system is in place, the fire and rescue service should always be called immediately if a fire occurs.
-
Question 18 of 25
Show answer
Answer: D. A crew is not sent unless someone calls 999 to confirm a fire
London Fire Brigade does not attend automatic fire alarms at many non-residential buildings, such as offices, between 7am and 8.30pm unless a fire is confirmed by a 999 call.
-
Question 19 of 25
Show answer
Answer: A. They should not be expected to try to put out a fire
Government fire risk assessment guidance says people with no training should not be expected to attempt to put out a fire.
-
Question 20 of 25
Show answer
Answer: D. Generally not, unless it is a lift meant for evacuation
In general, lifts should not be used for evacuation. Some lifts are specially designed or chosen for evacuating disabled people.
-
Question 21 of 25
Show answer
Answer: B. A plan for how one person who needs help will get out safely
A PEEP sets out how a person who needs help to evacuate, such as a disabled person, will get out of the building safely.
-
Question 22 of 25
Show answer
Answer: C. Trained staff on site, as set out in the plan
Guidance says there should be enough staff to evacuate people who need help, and the plan should not rely on the fire and rescue service to work.
-
Question 23 of 25
Show answer
Answer: C. Remove the wedge, let the door close and report it
Fire doors must not be wedged open. Kept closed, they stop the spread of fire, heat and smoke.
-
Question 24 of 25
Show answer
Answer: D. At least one a year, with the results recorded
GOV.UK says you should carry out at least one fire drill per year and record the results as part of the fire safety and evacuation plan.
-
Question 25 of 25
Show answer
Answer: A. So the fire and rescue service is not called out for the drill
Scottish guidance says the monitoring centre must be told, or the link taken off line, so the fire and rescue service is not called to a drill.
Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.
What to know before the test
- In England and Wales, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 puts fire safety duties on the responsible person, usually the employer.
- The responsible person must nominate enough competent people to carry out the evacuation procedures.
- Since 1 October 2023, every responsible person in England and Wales must keep a written record of the fire risk assessment.
- Scotland uses Part 3 of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005. Northern Ireland uses Part 3 of the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and the Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010.
- GOV.UK guidance says to hold at least one fire drill a year and record the results.
- London Fire Brigade does not attend automatic fire alarms at many non-residential buildings, such as offices, from 7am to 8.30pm unless a fire is confirmed by a 999 call.
Frequently asked questions
Does the law say a workplace must have a fire marshal?
The law does not use the term. The Fire Safety Order says the responsible person must nominate enough competent people to carry out fire-fighting measures and evacuation. In practice, these people are often called fire marshals or fire wardens.
Does this course replace the fire training my employer must give me?
No. The Fire Safety Order says employers must give adequate fire safety training when you start and when your risks change, during working hours. That training covers your own building and plan. This course is background knowledge only.
How often should fire drills be held?
GOV.UK guidance says at least once a year, with the results recorded. Scottish guidance gives the same minimum but says every 6 months may be better for many premises.
Should a fire marshal try to put out a fire?
Only if they are trained, the fire is small and it is safe. Official guidance says people with no training should not be expected to fight a fire. Raising the alarm and getting people out come first.
Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?
No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace any licence, certification or training required by law.
Sources
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (legislation.gov.uk)
- GOV.UK: Fire safety in the workplace
- GOV.UK: Fire safety risk assessment: offices and shops
- Scottish Government: Practical fire safety guidance for existing non-residential premises
- Fire (Scotland) Act 2005, Part 3
- Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010
- Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006
- London Fire Brigade: Fire safety training
- London Fire Brigade: Automatic fire alarm policy