Between 2022 and 2024, UK fire and rescue services attended over 170,000 fires per year. Hotels, restaurants, offices, care homes, factories, shops: thousands of commercial premises catch fire annually, and the consequences range from serious injury to permanent closure.
Fire safety is also one of the areas where businesses most often fall short. Staff do not know what to do in an emergency. Fire exits get blocked. Risk assessments go out of date. Fire wardens have never been trained. These are exactly the kinds of failings that fire safety legislation exists to prevent.
This guide covers the legal framework for fire safety in the UK, the training requirements for employers and employees, and how to make sure your workplace is compliant.
The law: Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
Fire safety in non-domestic premises in England and Wales is governed by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, commonly known as the Fire Safety Order or RRO. In Scotland, the equivalent legislation is the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006.
The Fire Safety Order places responsibility on the “responsible person,” typically the employer, owner, or occupier of the premises. That person must carry out and maintain a fire risk assessment, implement fire safety measures based on the assessment, provide fire safety training to all employees, appoint fire wardens where appropriate, maintain fire detection and warning systems (along with emergency lighting, extinguishers, and escape routes), establish an evacuation plan, and keep records of assessments, training, drills, and maintenance.
The Fire Safety Order applies to virtually all non-domestic premises: workplaces, commercial buildings, shared areas of residential buildings, hotels, restaurants, pubs, schools, hospitals, care homes, and places of worship.
The Fire Safety Act 2021
The Fire Safety Act 2021 clarified and strengthened the original Fire Safety Order, particularly for multi-occupied residential buildings. It confirmed that the Fire Safety Order applies to the structure, external walls, and flat entrance doors of multi-occupied residential buildings, as well as common parts like corridors, stairwells, and lobbies.
While the Fire Safety Act 2021 is most directly relevant to building owners and managers, it reinforced the importance of fire risk assessments and the duties of responsible persons. For hospitality businesses operating in shared or multi-use buildings (a restaurant at ground level with residential flats above, for example), this legislation matters.
The Building Safety Act 2022
For high-rise residential buildings over 18 metres or seven storeys, the Building Safety Act 2022 introduced additional fire safety requirements, including the appointment of an Accountable Person and a Building Safety Manager. This primarily affects building owners rather than individual businesses, but hospitality operators in high-rise or mixed-use buildings should be aware of the implications.
Who needs fire safety training?
Under the Fire Safety Order, all employees must receive fire safety training. Not optional. A legal requirement. The training must be provided when an employee first starts work as part of their induction, when an employee is exposed to new or increased risks (for example, changing role, moving to a new area, or when premises are altered), and at regular intervals to ensure knowledge stays current.
The level and depth of training depends on the employee’s role.
All employees
Every member of staff needs to understand the basics, many of which are covered in our Health and Safety for Employees course. That means knowing the fire risks in their workplace, what to do if they discover a fire, how to raise the alarm, the evacuation procedure and assembly point, the location of fire exits and escape routes, and how to use a fire extinguisher at a basic awareness level.
Fire wardens and fire marshals
Fire wardens (sometimes called fire marshals; the terms are interchangeable) are employees given specific fire safety responsibilities. Their training covers conducting floor sweeps during evacuation to confirm everyone has left, assisting people with disabilities or mobility issues, reporting to the assembly point to confirm their area is clear, using fire extinguishers to tackle small fires where safe to do so, liaising with the fire service on arrival, and understanding fire risk assessments so they can contribute to fire safety planning.
There is no fixed legal requirement for the number of fire wardens per workplace. The general guidance is one fire warden per floor, with additional wardens for large or complex premises. The fire risk assessment should determine the appropriate number based on the size, layout, occupancy, and risk level of the building. Our Fire Warden Training course covers the specific duties and skills that designated fire wardens need.
The responsible person
The responsible person (typically the employer, building owner, or premises manager) carries the highest level of fire safety responsibility. They should have a thorough understanding of fire risk assessment methodology, their legal duties under the Fire Safety Order, how to implement and monitor fire safety measures, and record-keeping requirements.
Fire risk assessments
A fire risk assessment is the foundation of fire safety compliance. The responsible person (or a competent person on their behalf) must carry it out and review it regularly. The assessment follows five steps.
Step 1: Identify fire hazards
This means identifying potential sources of ignition (electrical equipment, cooking equipment, heating systems, naked flames, hot surfaces), sources of fuel (paper, cardboard, textiles, chemicals, cooking oils, waste), and sources of oxygen (air conditioning, ventilation, stored oxidising chemicals).
In hospitality settings, kitchens are high-risk areas. The combination of high-temperature cooking equipment, cooking oils, gas supplies, and flammable materials in close proximity creates significant fire risk.
Step 2: Identify people at risk
Consider everyone who might be affected: employees, customers, visitors, contractors, and anyone else on the premises. Pay particular attention to people who may be especially vulnerable, including those with disabilities, mobility issues, sensory impairments, young children, and elderly people.
Step 3: Evaluate, remove, or reduce risks
Based on the hazards and people identified, evaluate the level of risk and take action. This might include removing unnecessary flammable materials, installing fire detection systems, improving escape routes, introducing fire-resistant storage, and providing appropriate firefighting equipment.
Step 4: Record, plan, train
Document the findings. Create an emergency plan. Train all staff. The emergency plan should cover how the alarm is raised, who calls the fire service, the evacuation procedure, the assembly point, and the duties of fire wardens.
Step 5: Review and update
The fire risk assessment must be reviewed regularly and immediately if there is a significant change to the premises, the use of the premises, the people using the premises, or if a fire or near-miss occurs.
For premises with five or more employees, the fire risk assessment must be recorded in writing.
Types of fire extinguishers
Understanding fire extinguishers is a core part of fire safety training. Different types are designed for different classes of fire, and using the wrong type can make a fire worse.
Water extinguishers (red label)
Suitable for Class A fires (wood, paper, textiles, solid combustibles). Not suitable for electrical fires, flammable liquids, or cooking oils. They work by cooling the burning material below its ignition temperature.
Foam extinguishers (cream label)
Suitable for Class A and Class B fires (flammable liquids such as petrol, oil, and solvents). Not suitable for cooking oil fires or electrical fires, though some are rated for incidental electrical contact. They smother the fire and seal the surface of the liquid to prevent reignition.
CO2 extinguishers (black label)
Suitable for electrical fires and Class B fires. Not suitable for cooking oil fires or Class A fires (limited cooling effect). They displace oxygen around the fire and cool it, leaving no residue, which makes them well suited for offices and server rooms.
Dry powder extinguishers (blue label)
Suitable for Class A, B, and C fires (flammable gases) and electrical fires. Not suitable for enclosed spaces (visibility issues and breathing hazards) or cooking oil fires. They work by chemically interrupting the fire reaction.
Wet chemical extinguishers (yellow label)
Suitable for Class F fires (cooking oils and fats), which makes them essential in commercial kitchens. Also suitable for Class A fires. They cool the oil and create a soap-like film that seals the surface and prevents reignition.
In a hospitality environment, wet chemical extinguishers are particularly important given how common deep fat fryers and cooking oils are. The Fire Safety course covers extinguisher types in detail and explains how to select and use the right one.
Fire safety in hospitality
Hospitality venues face specific fire safety challenges.
Kitchen fires
Commercial kitchens are high-risk environments. Deep fat fryers, gas hobs, grills, and ovens all present ignition sources. Cooking oils and fats are highly flammable and cause Class F fires, which are particularly dangerous and difficult to extinguish.
Kitchens should be fitted with wet chemical extinguishers, fire blankets, and ideally automatic fire suppression systems over cooking equipment. Staff must be trained in the specific procedures for dealing with cooking oil fires. The critical instruction: never use water on a fat or oil fire.
Escape routes and occupancy
Hotels, restaurants, pubs, and event venues have high and variable occupancy levels. Escape routes must be wide enough, clearly signed, well-lit, and free from obstruction at all times. Emergency lighting must be maintained and tested regularly.
Night-time risk
Hotels and other premises with sleeping occupants present particular challenges. Guests may be unfamiliar with the building layout, may be asleep when the alarm sounds, and may have mobility or sensory impairments. Fire detection, alarm systems, and evacuation procedures must account for all of these factors.
Multi-use buildings
Many hospitality businesses operate in buildings that combine commercial and residential use. The Fire Safety Act 2021 is particularly relevant here, as it clarifies fire safety responsibilities for the shared and common parts of these buildings.
Penalties for non-compliance
The consequences of failing to meet fire safety obligations are severe. Fire safety authorities can issue enforcement notices requiring specific improvements within a set timeframe, or prohibition notices that prevent the use of premises until serious deficiencies are remedied. Fire safety offences can result in unlimited fines. For the most serious offences, the responsible person can face up to two years in prison. If a fire causes injury or death due to negligence, civil claims for damages are also possible. Non-compliance can also invalidate business insurance, leaving the business completely unprotected in the event of a fire.
The human cost matters most. Proper fire safety measures and training save lives.
How to get certified
Getting your Fire Safety certificate through Chefs Bay Academy takes four steps. Start by purchasing a licence for £29, which gives you access to the Fire Safety course and 130+ other courses in the library. Then work through the course modules at your own pace, on any device. When you are ready, pass the end-of-course assessment to confirm your understanding. Your CPD accredited certificate is available to download immediately after you pass.
The course covers the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, fire risk assessments, evacuation procedures, fire warden duties, extinguisher types and use, and fire safety considerations for different workplace environments.
For a broader view of workplace safety compliance, explore the full range of health and safety courses, covering manual handling, COSHH, first aid, and more. All are included in the same £29 licence.
Frequently asked questions
Is fire safety training a legal requirement?
Yes. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the responsible person must ensure that all employees receive appropriate fire safety training. This includes training on fire risks, evacuation procedures, and the use of firefighting equipment. Training must be provided at induction and refreshed regularly.
How often should fire safety training be renewed?
There is no specific legal renewal period, but the Fire Safety Order requires training at regular intervals. Best practice is to provide refresher training annually and conduct fire drills at least twice a year. Training should also be updated whenever there are significant changes to the premises, personnel, or fire safety arrangements.
What is the difference between a fire warden and a fire marshal?
In practice, the terms are interchangeable. Both refer to a designated person with specific fire safety duties, including conducting floor sweeps during evacuation, assisting vulnerable people, and liaising with the fire service. Some organisations use “fire warden” for general duties and “fire marshal” for those with additional responsibilities, but there is no legal distinction between the two.
How many fire wardens does a workplace need?
There is no fixed legal requirement. The number should be determined by the fire risk assessment, taking into account the size and layout of the premises, the number of occupants, and the level of risk. The general guidance is at least one fire warden per floor, with enough wardens to cover all areas during shifts, holidays, and absences.
Can fire safety training be completed online?
Yes. Online fire safety training is widely accepted and meets the requirements of the Fire Safety Order for general fire safety awareness and fire warden training. Practical fire extinguisher training, where staff physically handle extinguishers, should ideally be provided in person as a supplement to online training, but the theoretical component can be completed online.
Related guides
If you found this guide helpful, you might also want to read:
- Manual Handling Training: What UK Workers Need to Know
- COSHH Awareness: Understanding Hazardous Substances
- First Aid at Work: Requirements, Regulations and Training Options
All these courses are included in your Chefs Bay Academy licence — £29 for instant access to 130+ courses.