What are the Responsibilities of a Workplace Fire Warden?
If you own a business in the UK, then you’re required under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 to appoint suitable fire wardens. But what is a fire warden? And what do they do?
What is a fire warden?
A fire warden is simply a member of staff – or multiple members of staff – that you’ve chosen to support you in your fire safety efforts. Every fire warden that you select should undertake relevant fire training, so that they understand how they can help in the best and safest way possible.
What does a fire warden do?
Fire wardens play very important roles in both fire protection and fire safety. As such, they have many different responsibilities, both on a day-to-day basis, and in the event of an emergency.
There are four main areas that these responsibilities can be broken down into:
- Preparation
A fire warden is responsible for ensuring that, should a fire break out, your business is prepared to handle the event in the most efficient and effective way. Fire wardens should visually inspect equipment such as sprinkler systems and extinguishers, and make sure that dry & wet risers are serviced regularly. They should also check fire alarms and fire doors frequently as part of their daily activities, and make sure any vital fire signage remains visible, unobstructed, and in good condition.
- Employee support
One of the biggest factors driving a swift and successful evacuation is employee knowledge. It is vital that all members of your staff understand what they are expected to do in an emergency situation, and the protocols that have been put in place to protect them and the property. Your fire wardens act as your workforce’s first point of contact. Should they have any questions about their roles in an emergency, or want to view fire policies, your fire wardens should be able to help them out.
- Emergency response
Should you be faced with an emergency situation, your fire warden or wardens will play a pivotal role in the evacuation process. During an evacuation, a fire warden should conduct a sweep of the area they are responsible for, ensuring everyone has left the building, and that those who need assistance are receiving the help they need. They will make sure that fire doors are closed to reduce the spread of fire, and may use extinguishers – but only if they are fully trained, and it is deemed safe to do so.
- Liaison
Once all staff members have been evacuated and have reached the designated meeting point, fire wardens may assist in taking the register and ensuring that everyone is accounted for. As these situations can often be quite hectic or fraught, fire wardens will often act as a single point of contact for emergency services, too. They may be responsible for relaying important information from firefighters to employees, and answering any questions the fire department may have about the event.
Keeping your business safe
At Eversafe Fire Protection, we’re here to help you keep your business as safe as possible. For more details about fire wardens, and other helpful guides covering safety in the workplace, keep an eye on our blog. We’re also here to answer any questions you may have. Call us on 01795 713123.
