The number of fire marshals your workplace needs depends on the size of your premises, the number of people inside, the level of fire risk and the arrangements needed to evacuate everyone safely. A small office may need fewer fire marshals than a large warehouse, hotel or manufacturing site with several floors and different working shifts.
According to Home Office fire and rescue incident statistics, fire and rescue services in England attended 147,295 fires in the year ending December 2021. Those fires caused 280 deaths and 6,201 non-fatal injuries. The same report shows that crews took an average of 8 minutes and 52 seconds to reach fires in non-residential buildings. For almost nine minutes, the people inside a workplace must rely on each other to raise the alarm, guide colleagues out and check that no one is left behind. Fire marshals do that job.
How Many Fire Marshals You Need in Your Workplace
The right number depends on how your workplace operates and what people would need to do if a fire occurred. Employee numbers provide a useful starting point, but they do not tell the whole story.
For example, a small office with a straightforward layout may need fewer fire marshals than a warehouse with several storage areas, multiple exits and workers on different shifts. A workplace open to the public may also need arrangements that account for customers and visitors who are unfamiliar with the building.
The responsible person should use the fire risk assessment to decide how many trained people are needed to put the emergency plan into practice. Government guidance explains that staffed premises must nominate a sufficient number of competent people to implement fire procedures.
Recommended Fire Marshal Ratios by Risk Level
Some training providers use indicative ratios to help businesses estimate their fire marshal requirements. The following figures are examples of commonly cited starting points, not legal requirements or a substitute for a workplace-specific assessment.
| Workplace risk level | Illustrative starting-point ratio | Example workplaces |
| Low risk | 1 fire marshal per 50 employees | Small offices and some shops |
| Medium risk | 1 per 20–30 employees | Restaurants and light manufacturing |
| High risk | 1 per 15 employees | Some higher-risk industrial premises |
These figures should be treated as planning guidance only. They are not a universal formula established by UK legislation, and the figures alone cannot determine whether a workplace has enough fire marshals. The premises, evacuation plan, staffing arrangements and people at risk may mean that more trained people are needed.
Use your fire risk assessment to check that the number suits your actual workplace, rather than basing it on a simple staff-to-marshal ratio.
What Does UK Fire Safety Law Say About Fire Marshals?
UK fire safety law requires businesses and other responsible organisations to take appropriate steps to protect people from fire. However, the law does not set one fixed number of fire marshals for every workplace.
In England, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the responsible person to carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment and put appropriate fire safety measures in place. These measures include planning for emergencies, providing staff with suitable information and training, and making arrangements to help people leave the premises safely.
Is There a Legal Minimum Number of Fire Marshals?
No law sets a minimum number of fire marshals for every workplace. The right number depends on what your fire risk assessment identifies.
UK government guidance says premises with staff must appoint enough competent people to carry out their fire procedures. In anything larger or more complex than a small, simple workplace, this usually means appointing fire marshals to help people evacuate and, where it is safe, check their assigned areas.
For example, a small office may be able to manage its evacuation arrangements with a limited number of trained staff. A larger building with several floors, public areas and different working shifts may need more people to provide suitable cover.
Who is Responsible for Appointing Fire Marshals?
The responsible person is accountable for making sure appropriate fire safety arrangements are in place. Depending on the premises, this may be an employer, business owner, landlord or another person with control over the building.
In a workplace, the employer will often be the responsible person, although a landlord or managing agent may also have duties in areas under their control. Where several organisations share a building, they should coordinate their fire safety arrangements.
The responsible person should use the fire risk assessment to identify the training, staffing and evacuation arrangements required for the premises.
What Factors Determine How Many Fire Marshals You Need?
Several factors affect the number of fire marshals a business needs. Looking at employee numbers alone may leave gaps in evacuation cover, particularly in large buildings or workplaces with changing occupancy.
Size and Layout of the Building
A workplace spread across several floors or separate areas may need more fire marshals than a small, open-plan office. People must be able to hear the alarm, identify suitable escape routes and leave the building according to the emergency plan.
Large warehouses, buildings with restricted areas and premises with complex layouts may need more fire marshals. Your fire risk assessment should look at the escape ways, the building layout, and the time and resources needed to get everyone out safely.
Number of Employees, Visitors and Other Occupants
The number of people in your building affects how you plan an evacuation. A workplace with 40 employees may hold far more people at busy times once customers, contractors and visitors are counted.
Fire marshals should know how to direct people to the right exits and where to report at the assembly point. If your business is open to the public, remember that visitors may not know the building or its evacuation procedures.
Level of Fire Risk
The activities carried out on the premises can affect the number of trained people required. A typical office may have different risks from a factory that uses machinery, a warehouse storing combustible materials or a commercial kitchen.
The assessment should identify potential fire hazards, consider who could be harmed and determine the precautions needed. If the premises has higher risks or more complex evacuation requirements, the business may need additional fire marshals and more specific training.
Shift Patterns and Working Hours
Businesses that operate across multiple shifts must consider who will be available to carry out fire procedures at different times. Having several trained fire marshals on the day shift will not help if there is no suitable cover during the night shift.
The same applies to businesses that operate at weekends or remain open outside standard office hours. Each operating period should have enough trained people to support the emergency plan.
People Who May Need Assistance During Evacuation
Some people may need additional help to leave a building during an emergency. This could include people with mobility difficulties, disabled visitors, young children or other occupants who cannot use the usual escape routes independently.
The fire risk assessment should identify these needs and establish suitable evacuation arrangements. Depending on the premises, this may affect the number of fire marshals required and the specific responsibilities assigned to them.
Holidays, Sickness and Staff Absences
Businesses should not calculate their requirements on the assumption that every appointed fire marshal will always be available. Annual leave, sickness, training and staff turnover can all affect the level of cover.
Training additional staff can help a business maintain suitable arrangements when its usual fire marshals are absent. The number of trained people should be sufficient to meet the needs of the emergency plan during normal working hours and other periods when the premises are occupied.
How Many Fire Marshals Do Different Workplaces Need?
Different workplaces have different fire risks, layouts and evacuation needs. The following examples explain what businesses should consider, but they are not fixed staffing requirements.
Small Offices and Shops
A small office or shop with a straightforward layout may need fewer fire marshals than a large commercial building. However, the business still needs appropriate evacuation arrangements and enough competent people to carry them out.
Consider the number of employees, whether customers visit the premises, the location of exits and who will take responsibility if the usual fire marshal is absent.
Warehouses and Factories
Warehouses and factories may have large floor areas, storage racks, machinery, separate work zones and materials that increase fire risks. Some also operate across several shifts.
Businesses should consider whether the available fire marshals can carry out their assigned duties across these areas without entering unsafe conditions. The fire risk assessment should guide the number of people required and the training they need.
Restaurants, Hotels and Retail Premises
Restaurants, hotels and retail businesses often have members of the public on site. Staff may also work evenings, weekends or late at night.
Fire safety arrangements should account for customers who are unfamiliar with the building, staff working in different departments and any areas that require particular attention during an evacuation. Hotels may also need to consider sleeping occupants who could be less familiar with the escape routes.
Care Homes and Healthcare Settings
Care homes and healthcare facilities may have residents or patients who cannot evacuate independently. Some occupants may need physical assistance or a planned evacuation procedure.
These premises should carefully assess staffing levels, the needs of the people in their care and the time required to move them to a place of safety. A general employee-to-fire-marshal ratio may not adequately reflect these requirements.
The government provides separate fire risk assessment guidance for different types of premises, including offices, shops, warehouses, healthcare facilities and residential care premises. Using the guidance relevant to your workplace can help you identify the factors that need to be considered.
How to Calculate the Number of Fire Marshals You Need
To estimate how many fire marshals your workplace needs, start with the fire risk assessment rather than relying on a standard ratio. The aim is to establish whether enough trained people will be available to carry out the emergency procedures when required.
Follow these steps:
- Review the fire risk assessment. Identify the main hazards, the people who may be affected and the evacuation arrangements needed.
- Check the number of people on site. Include employees, visitors, customers, contractors and other occupants where relevant.
- Assess the building layout. Consider the number of floors, separate work areas, escape routes and any areas that may require checking during an evacuation.
- Review staffing across shifts. Establish how many trained fire marshals need to be available during each operating period.
- Allow for staff absences. Make arrangements for holidays, sickness and other situations that could leave a shift without suitable cover.
- Review the arrangements regularly. Reassess the number of fire marshals when the building, workforce, activities or evacuation procedures change.
The government recommends reviewing the fire risk assessment regularly and updating it when there is reason to believe it is no longer valid or when significant changes occur.
Do All Fire Marshals Need Training?
Yes, appointed fire marshals need suitable instruction and training for the responsibilities they are expected to perform. General fire safety information for all employees may not cover the additional duties assigned to a fire marshal.
Training should reflect the workplace’s risks and procedures. It should help marshals understand what to do when the alarm sounds, how to support an evacuation and when they should report information to the person in charge.
What Should Fire Marshal Training Cover?
Depending on the role and premises, training may cover:
- Common workplace fire hazards and prevention measures.
- How to raise the alarm and respond to an emergency.
- Escape routes, exits and assembly points.
- Evacuation procedures and communication.
- The needs of people who may require assistance.
- How to check assigned areas safely, where this is part of the role.
- The limits of their responsibilities and when to seek help.
The government recommends providing staff with appropriate fire safety information, instruction and training. Fire marshals may require more comprehensive training because they have additional responsibilities during an evacuation.
When Should Fire Marshal Training Be Refreshed?
Training should remain relevant to the workplace and the duties assigned to each marshal. Businesses should review training when there are changes to the building, fire risks, staffing arrangements or evacuation procedures.
Refresher training and evacuation drills can help staff understand their responsibilities and identify areas where procedures may need improvement. The appropriate approach will depend on the premises and its fire risk assessment.
How to Hire Fire Marshal
Before hiring a fire marshal, identify your site’s needs, the working hours and the duties involved. Look for relevant training and experience with similar properties. Explain your fire safety procedures and agree on responsibilities, reporting arrangements and communication with your site manager.
At G3 Security, you can discuss your fire marshal requirements with our team and ask about available staffing options. Share details about your premises and the coverage you need so the proposed service can be checked against your requirements.
Conclusion
The number of fire marshals your workplace needs depends on its size, fire risks, occupancy and evacuation arrangements. While common ratios can help you estimate staffing requirements, they should not replace a suitable fire risk assessment.
Businesses should make sure enough trained people are available during all operating hours, including when regular fire marshals are on holiday or off sick. They should also review their arrangements when workplace conditions or evacuation needs change.
By assessing your premises carefully, providing suitable training and maintaining appropriate cover, you can help employees, visitors and other occupants understand what to do if a fire occurs.