Importance of fire safety training

23 February 2023

Updated June 2025

If you’re running a business in the UK, there’s a legal and moral obligation you simply can’t ignore: fire safety training. But more than that – it’s about protecting lives, assets and your business’s future. And yet, many UK SMEs are still underestimating the importance of proper fire safety training. Is your team fully prepared to act in the event of a fire?

Let’s look at why fire safety awareness training for UK office workers is more than just a tick-box exercise. And we’ll also cover how a straightforward, affordable training approach can keep your business compliant, your people safe, and your peace of mind intact.

Fire safety is a legal requirement

Every employer in the UK is required under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 to ensure employees receive fire safety training. That includes both basic fire safety certification for employees and additional instruction for anyone with a designated safety role.

For small businesses without a dedicated health and safety team, this can feel overwhelming. That’s where a simple, online solution like our Basic Fire Safety Awareness Certification comes in.

Small teams, big risks: why SMEs must pay attention

Fires don’t discriminate by headcount. In fact, SMEs may even face a greater risk due to:

• Limited resources to manage risk assessments
• Fewer trained staff who know how to respond
• Tighter budgets that deprioritise compliance

The result? A single fire-related incident could be devastating – not just in terms of property damage, but reputational damage too.

The good news is that mandatory fire safety training for small businesses doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. A cost-effective, e-learning approach can do the heavy lifting – especially for HR managers and people leaders in UK SMEs juggling multiple compliance needs.

Fire training isn’t one-size-fits-all

Every employee should receive fire safety awareness training, but specific responsibilities differ depending on their role.

• Office workers need to know basic evacuation procedures and hazard spotting
• Managers should understand fire safety responsibilities and legal duties
• Fire marshals need more in-depth instruction on leading evacuations and using extinguishers

Our Understanding Fire Extinguishers Certification is ideal for all staff – ensuring everyone has the relevant knowledge should they need it. In addition, our Fire Marshall Certification is designed for designated fire wardens, or anyone expected to use safety equipment during an emergency. Choose the online fire safety courses you need to build a comprehensive training plan tailored to your team – without having to hire external trainers or shut down operations for in-person sessions.

The hidden ROI of fire training: safety, culture and compliance

Still on the fence? Here’s what fire safety certification delivers:

• A safer workplace that builds trust and confidence
• Peace of mind for leadership and compliance officers
• Reduced risk of fines, injuries or business disruption
• A culture of preparedness and proactive responsibility

It’s not just about being compliant; it’s about being smart.

Plus, when delivered via an easy-to-use L&D platform for small businesses in the UK, it becomes part of a bigger strategy to embed health and safety induction training for new employees UK-wide.

Online learning: the smart way to train your team

Many SMEs delay training because it feels time-consuming or too expensive. But platforms that are built specifically for businesses like yours – offering cost-effective compliance certification – are an ideal solution.

They offer:

• On-demand learning that fits around busy schedules
• Progress tracking for HR and L&D managers
• Downloadable certificates to prove compliance
• Regular updates to meet legal standards

Our compliance e-learning solution for growing SMEs includes ready-made courses, covering not only fire safety but wider essentials like GDPR, equality and diversity, and manual handling.

Recommended read: Using online staff training to increase skills

Next steps: how to get started

If you’re ready to safeguard your workplace and stay compliant, the next step is simple:

1. Find a provider that offers fire safety training (online can be the most cost-effective option)
2. Choose courses that match your business size and team roles
3. Set learning pathways, assign them to your staff, and set completion dates

The most important thing is to become compliant and make sure you, your people and your business stay safe.

Don’t wait for a wake-up call

In fire safety, “too late” comes fast. And it comes at a cost no SME can afford. With just a few clicks, you can equip your team with the skills, awareness and confidence they need to stay safe.

Investing in online fire safety training isn’t just about staying legal – it’s about doing the right thing. Start today. Train your team. Protect your future.

What makes our training stand out?

With four different fire safety online courses, our training will meet all your business needs. But that’s not all. Our affordable compliance-focused LMS also offers multiple benefits:

• 700+ CPD and RoSPA certified courses, covering professional and personal development
• A Wellbeing hub, packed with mindfulness and fitness classes, to keep your employees in the best possible mental and physical health – both in and out of the office
• A Performance hub, offering multi-format soft skills courses, to improve communication, relationships and more
• Granular tracking and reporting – by individual, team or company – with automated reminders, saving you time and effort
• During onboarding, we’ll turn any existing PDF, PPT or paper-based training into engaging digital courses, so everything’s in one place
• And much more!

To find out more or request a demo, why not book a call with one of our team today.