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1. Module 1. The fire warden's role and the law

   A fire warden is a member of staff trained to help prevent fires and to lead the evacuation of their area. This course builds on fire safety awareness and prepares you for that role.

   What you will learn

   • Explain why fire wardens are appointed.
   • List a fire warden's duties before, during and after an emergency.
   • Describe what the fire emergency plan contains.

   Key points

   • Fire wardens help prevent fires and lead the evacuation of their area.
   • There must be enough wardens to cover every area on every shift.
   • Daily checks, a clear role in the emergency, and feedback after drills are the core duties.
   • The fire emergency plan sets out who does what.

   Based on: Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (England and Wales); Fire (Scotland) Act 2005; Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010; Fire Safety Act 2021.

2. Module 2. Prevention: checks and inspections

   Most of a fire warden's work happens on ordinary days. Good checks stop fires starting and make sure everything works if one does.

   What you will learn

   • Carry out a fire safety walk-round of your area.
   • Recognise faults in fire doors, alarms, lighting and extinguishers.
   • Record and report what you find.

   Key points

   • Walk round your area regularly with a checklist.
   • Escape routes clear, exits openable, fire doors closed, equipment in place and in date.
   • Record findings and report faults the same day. A locked exit needs immediate action.

   Based on: Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (England and Wales); Fire (Scotland) Act 2005; Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010; Fire Safety Act 2021.

3. Module 3. Leading an evacuation

   When the alarm sounds, the fire warden's job is to get everyone in their area out quickly and safely, and to report.

   What you will learn

   • Sweep your area and direct people to safety.
   • Assist people who need help, using personal evacuation plans.
   • Run the assembly point check and brief the fire service.

   Key points

   • Check the fire service is called, sweep every space, close doors and leave last.
   • Never put yourself at risk.
   • Use PEEPs and refuges for people who need help, and report their location.
   • Report your area status at the assembly point and brief the fire service.

   Based on: Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (England and Wales); Fire (Scotland) Act 2005; Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010; Fire Safety Act 2021.

4. Module 4. Fire drills, firefighting and learning lessons

   Drills test the plan. Firefighting equipment can stop a small fire. Afterwards, the lessons learned make the next evacuation better.

   What you will learn

   • Plan and run a fire drill in your area.
   • Decide when it is safe to use an extinguisher.
   • Report and record after a drill or real fire.

   Key points

   • Hold regular drills, vary them and time them.
   • Only fight a small fire when trained, with the alarm raised and an exit behind you.
   • Hands-on extinguisher training should be arranged by your employer.
   • Record every drill, fix the problems found, and update the plan.

   Based on: Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (England and Wales); Fire (Scotland) Act 2005; Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010; Fire Safety Act 2021.

HygieneReady certificates confirm completion of training. They are not a regulated qualification. Definitions of the key terms are in the glossary.