Fire Safety Training for Staff: Who Needs It and How Often

Most small businesses have a fire alarm, a few extinguishers and a fire exit sign over the back door. Far fewer have staff who know what to do when the alarm actually goes off. That gap is exactly what the law is trying to close, and it is one of the first things an inspector or an insurer will ask about after a fire.

What the law requires

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the employer must make sure every employee gets adequate fire safety instruction and training. It has to happen when they start, when their duties change or new risks are introduced, and it should be repeated at suitable intervals. It must also take place during working hours, so it cannot be left as something people do in their own time.

Who needs it

The short answer is everyone who works in the building, including part timers, agency staff and temporary workers. Some people need more than the basics:

  • All staff need an induction covering the alarm, the escape routes and the assembly point.
  • Fire marshals or wardens need extra training in their role, as set out in my post on what the fire marshal role actually involves.
  • Anyone expected to use a fire extinguisher needs practical training first.
  • Staff who work alone, work nights or look after vulnerable people may need specific arrangements.

What the training should cover

Keep it practical and specific to your premises. People need to know what the alarm sounds like, where the nearest two exits are, where to meet outside and who to report to. They should know how to raise the alarm, what not to do, such as using the lift or going back for belongings, and how to get help for anyone who cannot leave unaided. A generic video on its own is rarely enough, because it says nothing about your building.

How often to repeat it

The law does not name a number, but an annual refresher is the usual standard and the one most insurers and assessors expect. Repeat it sooner if the layout changes, a new process or hazard is introduced, or a drill shows that people did not know what to do. A fire drill at least once a year is a good way to test it, and the findings should feed back into your evacuation plan.

Keep records

If you cannot show the training happened, it will be treated as though it did not. Record the date, who attended, what was covered and who delivered it. Keep it with your other fire safety records, and update it each time new people start.

Not sure what training your premises should have in place? A proper fire risk assessment will tell you, and you can look at Tony Carlyon's fire risk assessment service if you want it done properly.

Want a head start? grab the free UK landlord and small business compliance checklist and see where you stand.
This post is general guidance, not legal advice. Check what applies to your own premises.

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