Is Fire Extinguisher Training a Legal Requirement?
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires that employees receive adequate fire safety training, which should include instruction on the use of firefighting equipment where appropriate. While the law does not specify exact intervals, industry best practice and insurer requirements make regular refresher training essential.
Recommended Training Frequency
The general recommendation from fire safety professionals and industry bodies is:
- Initial training: All new staff should receive fire extinguisher training as part of their induction
- Refresher training: Every 12 months for designated fire wardens and fire marshals
- General staff: Refresher every 2-3 years, or annually in higher-risk environments
- After any incident: Additional training following any fire-related event
What Does Fire Extinguisher Training Include?
Effective fire extinguisher training should cover:
- Types of fire extinguisher and which to use on different fire classes
- How to operate an extinguisher safely (PASS technique)
- When to fight a fire and when to evacuate
- Live fire extinguisher discharge practice
All our fire warden and fire marshal courses in Manchester include live fire extinguisher discharge so your staff gain real, practical experience.
Book Fire Extinguisher Training in Manchester
Fire extinguisher training is included in all our fire warden and fire marshal courses. We run public courses regularly at our Manchester training centre, or we can deliver private training at your premises.