Fire marshal duties fall into two halves: the everyday work that stops fires starting, and the emergency response that gets everyone out safely. Because a fire marshal and a fire warden are the same role in Ireland, these duties apply equally to both. This guide lays them out clearly so you know exactly what is expected.
Knowing your duties is the foundation of doing the role well - and of demonstrating compliance.
Key takeaways
Short on time? Here are the essentials at a glance, with the detail in the sections that follow:
- Everyday (preventive) duties
- Emergency duties
- Record-keeping duties - Marshals help keep the evidence that demonstrates compliance: drill records, training certificates, and notes of any hazards reported and fixed.
- Duties before an emergency - Most of a fire marshal's value is invisible because it happens long before any alarm sounds.
- Duties during an evacuation - When the alarm sounds, the marshal switches into a calm, practised routine.
- Duties after the all-clear - Once the incident is over, a good marshal helps the workplace learn from it.
- How many marshals you need to cover the duties - A single marshal can only do so much, and the duties only get carried out if someone competent is always present.
Everyday (preventive) duties
- Keep escape routes, corridors and exits clear at all times
- Check that fire doors are not wedged or propped open
- Watch for electrical and housekeeping hazards
- Know where extinguishers, alarms and assembly points are
- Report defects and hazards promptly
Emergency duties
- Raise and respond to the alarm calmly
- Sweep their assigned area to ensure it is clear
- Direct people to the nearest safe exit
- Assist anyone with reduced mobility per their PEEP
- Report to the assembly point and confirm headcounts
- Liaise with the fire service on arrival
Record-keeping duties
Marshals help keep the evidence that demonstrates compliance: drill records, training certificates, and notes of any hazards reported and fixed. These records matter to employers, insurers and inspectors.
Duties before an emergency
Most of a fire marshal's value is invisible because it happens long before any alarm sounds. The everyday, preventative work is what stops the majority of workplace fires from ever starting.
- Keep escape routes, corridors and exits clear of clutter and stock
- Check fire doors are not wedged or propped open
- Watch for overloaded sockets, trailing leads and damaged equipment
- Make sure extinguishers are in place, unobstructed and in date
- Know who in their area may need help to evacuate
- Stay familiar with the alarm, call points and assembly point
Duties during an evacuation
When the alarm sounds, the marshal switches into a calm, practised routine. They raise or confirm the alarm, direct people to the nearest safe exit and carry out a sweep of their area - checking quiet corners, toilets and meeting rooms - before leaving themselves. They assist anyone who needs help, close doors behind them to slow the spread of fire and smoke, and never let anyone go back inside for belongings.
At the assembly point they help account for everyone, flag anyone who may be missing and pass that information to the fire service on arrival. Their job is coordination and calm, not firefighting.
Duties after the all-clear
Once the incident is over, a good marshal helps the workplace learn from it. They feed back on how the evacuation went, note anything that slowed people down - a blocked exit, an unclear route, a door that stuck - and help update procedures so the next time is smoother. After any real incident or weak drill, refresher training is a sensible next step.
How many marshals you need to cover the duties
A single marshal can only do so much, and the duties only get carried out if someone competent is always present. That is why the number of marshals matters as much as the duties themselves. The practical principle is cover: every floor or distinct area should have a trained marshal on hand whenever it is occupied, with enough people that breaks, holidays, sickness and shifts never leave a gap.
For a small single-room business one or two marshals may be plenty; a multi-floor or multi-shift operation needs several, plus spares. It is almost always wise to train a few more than the bare minimum, because the cost of an extra online certificate is tiny next to the risk of an area with nobody to perform these duties when it counts.
Important: This online course supports awareness and understanding of workplace fire safety. Employers in Ireland may still need to provide workplace-specific training, supervision, fire drills and a fire risk assessment for their premises. Staff should always follow their employer's procedures, evacuation plans and internal fire safety rules.
Ready to get certified? You can complete the Fire Warden Course online entirely online and download your certificate as soon as you pass.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a fire marshal expected to fight fires?
No. A marshal may use an extinguisher on a small fire only if it is safe and they have been trained, but their priority is always evacuation. Tackling anything larger is the fire service's job.
How many duties can one marshal realistically handle?
A single marshal covers a defined area or floor. Larger or busier premises need several marshals, plus extra cover for breaks, leave and shifts so the duties are always carried out.
What are the main duties of a fire marshal?
Preventing fires through good housekeeping, raising and responding to the alarm, sweeping their area, guiding a safe evacuation and accounting for people at the assembly point.
Are fire marshal duties different from fire warden duties?
No. In Ireland the roles are identical, so the duties are the same.
Is a fire marshal a firefighter?
No. A fire marshal supports prevention and safe evacuation; tackling significant fires is the job of the fire service.
Related Fire Warden guides
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