MCFP Fire Awareness Training Course Overview
If you are an employer, owner, landlord, occupier or anyone else in control of a business or non-residential premises, you are what is known as a ‘responsible person’ according to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
As part of the Regulatory Reform, it is the responsible person’s duty to provide adequate fire safety training for the staff in their workplace – as well as appoint trained fire marshals and fire wardens within their team.
Adequate fire safety training is not just crucial for ensuring the safety of your staff and your workplace – it’s a requirement set out by law. Breaches to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO) can result in enforcement, fines and even imprisonment.
MCFP offer comprehensive fire safety training in the areas of Bicester, Bristol and throughout the South of England. We provide standard staff training in fire safety, practical fire extinguisher training and fire warden and fire marshal training.
Our fire safety training courses are delivered by our own, experienced Fire Safe trainers and include classroom-style training (using films and PowerPoint presentations) alongside practical use of fire extinguishers on real fires using our impressive fire simulator.
Courses can be tailored towards the individual company and questions and discussions are encouraged to improve the learning and fire safety knowledge of your employees. Certificates of attendance are provided to all delegates.
- Fire Warden Training Course Competence of the fire warden
- Fire Training - Warden Roles The fire warden should take responsibility for local fire safety
- Fire Marshal Training The role of the fire marshal is to take control of the situation during an emergency evacuation
- Practical Use of Fire Extinguishers Course Under Article 13(3) of the RRFSO, measures for firefighting must be in place in the workplace and competent persons should be trained to implement them.
- FAQs What Is The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005?
Fire Warden Training Course
Conducted by an MCFP experienced trainer and usually held at the client’s premises, this course lasts for approximately two and a half hours and a certificate is issued to each delegate upon successful completion of the course. The course format is as follows:
1. Fire Training Course – Introduction
Outlines the aims and objectives of the course; i.e. firefighting familiarisation.
2. Fire Training Course – Understanding Fire Principles
Educates delegates on the current fire laws, understanding the fire triangle, housekeeping in the workplace, ignition and spread of fire. Use of DVD to highlight the importance of fire induction and general fire safety.
3. Fire Training Course – Fire Risk Assessment
Explanation of what a fire risk assessment is and how to carry one out in the workplace. Group discussion about safety hazards and general fire safety on the current company premises.
4. Fire Training Course – Portable Fire Extinguisher Theory
A classroom tutorial underpinning the workings and selection of appropriate fire extinguishers. Delegates are walked through the different categories of fire and the appropriate fire extinguisher(s) to use on each. This section is supported by DVD films and PowerPoint presentations.
5. Fire Training Course – Portable Fire Extinguisher Practical Demonstration
Practical use of portable fire extinguishers outside in the car park or a similar area. MCFP supply the fire extinguishers for discharging and use a real fire simulator for improved learning. It is our hope that all delegates use the extinguishers to get a real feel for how they work and how to use them, allowing them to feel more confident in their abilities to use an extinguisher should it ever become a requirement in real life.
6. Legislation and Personal Responsibilities
This section of our fire safety training provides a thorough explanation of current fire safety legislation and the personal safety responsibilities of your staff in the workplace. This includes an awareness of the dangers, fire hazards and fire procedures of their workplace, raising safety concerns and the importance of complying with their employer on workplace fire safety protocols.
7. Role of the Fire Warden
Educates learners on the role of a fire warden in the workplace via a DVD film. This is separate from our Fire Warden Roles Course.
8. Summary
Provides a condensed summary of the above training.
9. Questions
Delegates are given ample time for questions and discussion in order to enhance their learning experience.
Fire Training – Warden Roles
The roles the fire warden is likely to be required to undertake include:
- Regular checks of the area to ensure that fire safety is not compromised e.g. blocked exits, broken or wedged doors and missing equipment.
- Checks to ensure that fire safety equipment in the area has been tested as required and is present and not obscured or otherwise compromised.
- Ensuring that people in the area are aware of the fire and evacuation procedures and, in particular, the means of raising the fire alarm.
- Undertaking the fire safety inductions of new persons.
- Ensuring that the area is clear in the event of an evacuation eg. by sweeping it and removing potential hazards.
- Checking the adequacy of means of evacuation if a disabled or vulnerable person is in the area.
- Feeding back to the responsible person any defects in the fire safety procedures in the area.
Fire Marshal Training
It is the fire marshal's duty to be familiar with the emergency fire evacuation and safety procedures and the roles of all the people within the workplace. Most organisations have a business continuity plan which is often the source of their emergency response procedures. This information must be made known to and understood by the fire marshal. The key duties and responsibilities of the fire marshal include:
- Summoning the emergency services.
- Ensuring that the emergency vehicles are met and suitably directed on arrival.
- Accounting for everyone being out of the building (or not).
- Taking control of movement or restriction of movement of people and vehicles to ensure safety.
- Having a thorough understanding of the procedures required to reduce the spread and effect of the cause of the fire.
- Ensuring the coordination of the business continuity plan (if there is one).
- Suitable liaison wit
Practical Use of Fire Extinguishers Course
Under Article 13(3) of the RRFSO, measures for firefighting must be in place in the workplace and competent persons should be trained to implement them. However, little detail is supplied regarding the use of portable fire extinguishers and, as yet, there is no specific guidance for this.
Therefore, current practice is to ensure that there is someone who can assess the danger and decide whether or not to use the extinguisher and, if so, how to use the correct one properly. If all staff are instructed in the use of fire extinguishers, it may encourage ill-advised utilisation in an inappropriate situation, which could result in litigation or prosecution of the employer.
On the other hand, not training anyone may be seen as a breach of Article 13. Therefore, it would be reasonable to provide practical training in the use of fire extinguishers only to those that can be relied upon to make a proper assessment (such as fire wardens and fire marshals) but particularly highlighting the limitations and the need to ensure the person’s own safety first.
Our practical fire extinguisher training is a shorter course tailored to meet your needs and involves education on general principles of fire prevention and the actions to be taken in event of a fire.
We also provide a practical demonstration of portable fire extinguishers outside in the car park or a similar area. We supply the fire extinguishers for discharging and use a real fire simulator for improved learning and enhanced skills.
FAQs
The RRFSO is a piece of legislation set about by the government to improve fire safety in workplaces and public buildings. It sets out fire safety guidance and regulations that employers have a duty to uphold. You can find the full legislation here.
Why Should I Provide Fire Safety Training?
Firstly, because it is required by law for businesses employing more than five staff members, as set out by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Employers found to be in breach of these regulations can be subject to enforcement, fines and even imprisonment. Secondly, because fire safety training helps to protect your staff members, assets and workplace and avoid unnecessary damage, cost, injury and death – which many businesses never recover from. In 2020/21 there were over 11,000 fires in non-residential properties, resulting in 14 deaths and over 700 injuries. Despite many people working from home due to COVID-19 during this time, fires still occurred. As many of us return to the workplace after years away, fire safety training has never been more important.
How Long Does A Certificate Last?
We recommend participating in a refresher fire safety course every 1-2 years. Training should be more frequent if there is a high turnover of staff, your premises are particularly at risk of fire outbreaks (e.g. chemical plants, forecourts or places where food is cooked) or you have a large number of vulnerable people within your care.
A fire marshal or fire warden certificate is valid for three years after successful completion of the training course. After this, it must be renewed.
Why Should I Choose MCFP To Deliver Fire Safety Training?
At MCFP, all of our fire safety technicians are highly trained, experienced and BAFE registered to conduct fire risk assessments and install and maintain fire safety and security equipment. Our courses are delivered by one of our MCFP technicians, so you can rest assured that your training will be of the highest quality and provided by an expert in fire safety.
If you’d like more information about our services or would like to talk to our team, please contact us.
