Short answer: UK law does not set a fixed number of fire marshals. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 says the responsible person must nominate a “sufficient number of competent persons” to carry out the evacuation plan, and your fire risk assessment decides what sufficient means. As a rule of thumb, many businesses plan for about 1 fire marshal per 50 people in low-risk premises, 1 per 20 in normal-risk premises and 1 per 15 in high-risk premises, then add cover for every floor, every shift and staff absence.
This guide explains what the law actually requires, where the common ratios come from, the factors that change the number, worked examples for offices, warehouses and building sites, and how fire marshals differ from fire wardens and fire watch officers.
What the law says
In England and Wales, workplace fire safety is covered by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own fire safety laws with similar duties. The person in control of the premises, called the responsible person, must:
- carry out and regularly review a fire risk assessment
- put in place procedures for serious and imminent danger, including evacuation
- nominate a sufficient number of competent persons to put those evacuation procedures into action
- give staff fire safety information, instruction and training
The Order never says “fire marshal” or gives a number. The people nominated to help with evacuation are what most workplaces call fire marshals or fire wardens. GOV.UK warns that a responsible person who does not follow fire safety law can be fined or sent to prison, and the fire and rescue authority can inspect premises and issue notices.
Common fire marshal ratios
Because the law only says “sufficient”, the ratios below have become a widely used starting point. They are industry guidance, not a legal requirement, so always check them against your own fire risk assessment.
| Fire risk level | Typical premises | Common starting ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Low | Offices, shops and similar premises with few ignition sources and simple escape routes | 1 fire marshal per 50 people |
| Normal | Larger offices, warehouses, schools, hotels, premises with members of the public | 1 fire marshal per 20 people |
| High | Sites storing flammable materials, kitchens, factories, construction sites, care settings | 1 fire marshal per 15 people |
The ratio gives you a minimum headcount. The factors below usually push the real number higher.
What changes the number of fire marshals you need
- Floors and zones. Each floor, wing or separate building normally needs at least one fire marshal so every area can be checked during an evacuation. Large open floors may need two.
- Shifts and opening hours. The ratio applies to every shift. A site working days, nights and weekends needs trained fire marshals on each one, not just during office hours.
- Absence and breaks. Holidays, sickness, training days and lunch breaks all leave gaps. Train more people than the minimum so there is always cover.
- Members of the public and visitors. Shops, venues and offices with many visitors need more marshals, because visitors do not know the escape routes.
- People who need help to leave. If anyone needs assistance to evacuate, a personal emergency evacuation plan (PEEP) may name specific people to help, which adds to the number.
- The building and the work. Long or complex escape routes, flammable stock, hot works, kitchens and machinery all raise the risk level, and with it the number of marshals.
- Temporary changes. Refurbishment, building work, events or a fire alarm that is out of action can mean you need extra fire marshals or a dedicated fire watch for a period.
Worked examples
These examples use the common ratios above. They show the method, not a legal minimum for your site.
| Premises | People on site | Starting ratio | Starting number | After floors, shifts and cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-floor office, 9am to 5pm, low risk | 40 staff | 1 per 50 | 1 | 2 (so lunch breaks and holidays are covered) |
| Three-floor office, normal risk | 150 staff | 1 per 20 | 8 | About 9 to 10 (at least 2 per floor plus cover) |
| Warehouse, two shifts of 30, flammable stock | 60 staff in total | 1 per 15 | 2 per shift | About 5 (2 per shift plus 1 spare) |
| Construction site with hot works | 80 workers | 1 per 15 | 6 | 6 or more, plus a fire watch after hot works |
What fire marshals do
Fire marshals help prevent fires day to day and lead the evacuation when the alarm sounds. Typical duties include:
- checking that fire exits, escape routes and fire doors are clear and working
- reporting fire hazards, such as blocked exits, overloaded sockets or poor storage of flammable materials
- sweeping their area during an alarm to make sure everyone has left
- helping people who need assistance, in line with any PEEPs
- reporting to the assembly point and confirming their area is clear
- taking part in fire drills and reporting what went wrong
Fire marshals are not expected to put themselves at risk. Using a fire extinguisher is only appropriate where they have been trained and it is safe to do so.
Fire marshal vs fire warden
There is no legal difference. “Fire marshal” and “fire warden” are two names for the same role: a competent person nominated to help with fire prevention and evacuation. Some organisations use one title for floor-level staff and the other for a lead role, but that is internal choice, not law.
A fire watch officer is different. A fire watch is a dedicated person or team who patrols the premises to look for fire, usually after hot works or while a fire alarm or sprinkler system is out of action. Our guide to fire watch in the UK explains when you need one.
Training for fire marshals
The law asks for competent persons, which means people with enough training, experience and knowledge to do the job. Fire marshal training usually covers fire science, common causes of fire, evacuation procedures, the duties of a fire marshal and, where relevant, how to use fire extinguishers. Training is commonly refreshed at regular intervals, and should be repeated sooner if the building, the work or the evacuation plan changes.
When to hire fire marshals
Most workplaces train their own staff. Hiring fire marshals makes sense when your own team cannot cover the risk, for example:
- events and venues with large crowds for a short time
- construction and refurbishment projects, especially with hot works
- buildings where the fire alarm or sprinklers are out of action
- nights, weekends or shutdowns when few trained staff are on site
- short-term cover while your own fire marshals are being trained
FCS Group supplies trained fire marshals and fire watch officers across the UK and Ireland for one-off shifts, events and longer contracts. All our security guards are fully SIA licensed and trained.
Frequently asked questions
How many fire marshals do I need by law?
UK law does not set a number. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires a “sufficient number of competent persons” to carry out evacuation procedures, and your fire risk assessment decides how many that is.
What is the fire marshal ratio in the UK?
A widely used starting point is 1 fire marshal per 50 people in low-risk premises, 1 per 20 in normal-risk premises and 1 per 15 in high-risk premises. These are industry guidance, not law.
Do I need a fire marshal on every floor?
In most buildings, yes. Each floor or zone should have at least one fire marshal so every area can be checked during an evacuation. Your fire risk assessment may require more.
Do I need fire marshals on night shifts?
Yes, if people are working. The evacuation plan has to work at all times, so every shift needs enough trained fire marshals for the people on site.
Is a fire warden the same as a fire marshal?
Yes. The two titles describe the same role. A fire watch officer is different, because their job is to patrol and look for fire, usually after hot works or when a fire alarm is out of action.
Can a small business have just one fire marshal?
A small, low-risk workplace may only need one, but you should train at least one more person so the role is covered during holidays, sickness and breaks.
Summary
There is no legal number of fire marshals in the UK. Start with a common ratio for your risk level, then make sure every floor, every shift and every absence is covered, and record the decision in your fire risk assessment. If you need extra fire marshals for an event, a building project or while your fire alarm is out of action, get a free quote from FCS Group.
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