Fire Marshals: Major Duties and Responsibilities!!

No matter what environment you work in, whether you are in a huge warehouse facility or a small office premises, it is significant that you hire professional fire marshals that are fully trained and aware of their responsibilities so as to ensure the safe evacuation of people in your building. Fire marshal training and duties are one of the most crucial contributions to fire safety at your office premises, but do you know what those duties and responsibilities are? If no then don’t worry. Our guide below will explain all:

Daily duties of the fire marshal:

The daily duty of the fire marshals is to ensure the working premises are completely safe in case of a fire accident. Aside from this, they should also see that:

• All the fire exits and doors are closed, unlocked, clear and ready for use. 
• People with disabilities are evacuated first in the event of a fire. 
• All the fire alarms are unhampered and clear. 
• All the emergency exit routes are clear and safe. 
• The fire safety signs are in good condition and the right position. 
• Any faulty or damaged emergency lighting must be immediately reported and replaced. 
• The fire extinguisher devices are properly sealed and in the correct places. 
• The weekly fire alarm tests are performed correctly and any damage is reported immediately.

On the other hand, in the event of a fire, the fire marshal should:

• Check that the fire alarm has been activated by somebody.
• Gather everybody to the fire assembly area.
• Evacuate every individual and pets from the fire designated zone.
• Thoroughly check if the premises and empty and everybody have left.
• Check that all the machinery and other assets have been made safe.
• Where the fire and what is is the cause of the fire?
• Fight with fire with the correct use of the fire extinguishers if it’s safe to do so, and if this is allowed by the company policy.
• Immediately call the reporting fire officer and give information about the location of the fire, alarm system and cause of the fire. 

Fire marshals should also thoroughly search the storerooms and washrooms to ensure no one is left inside. Upon hearing the fire alarm, fire marshals should make sure that everybody has left the building and all the security measures are taken care of orderly and efficiently. This includes closing the fire-resistant store housing and safes where the company’s confidential data and information are stored, and switching off all the electrical devices.

Fire marshals play a primary role in reporting any damages or transformation to combustibles and ignition sources-and this role supports the overall fire risk assessment procedure. Besides, the fire safety manager should also be in touch with the fire marshals and any changes to the policy or issues concerning the fire alarms or extinguishers must be shared immediately.

However, for all this, it’s equally important that you hire the right fire marshal with a comprehensive fire marshal training and experience.