It is a question that comes up often. Do staff actually need to be trained to use fire extinguishers, or is it enough that extinguishers are provided and maintained?

Many businesses feel uncertain here, caught between not wanting to overcomplicate fire safety and not wanting to leave people unprepared if something goes wrong. The answer is rarely a simple yes or no. As with much of fire safety, it depends on understanding risk, behaviour and expectation. There is a reason Fletcher Risk offers fire extinguisher training as part of its training services, but we will come onto that a bit later on.

What the law actually expects

UK fire safety law does not require every member of staff to be trained to use a fire extinguisher. What it does require is that people are provided with appropriate information, instruction and training so they can act safely in the event of a fire. That distinction matters. Fire extinguishers are provided primarily to support safe evacuation and, in limited circumstances, to allow a very small fire to be tackled if it can be done safely. They are not provided so that untrained staff feel obliged to fight a fire, or place themselves at risk trying to save property.

This is where confusion often arises. The presence of extinguishers can create an expectation that someone will use them, even if no one has been trained or authorised to do so.

How people really behave in an emergency

In an emergency, people do not behave like they do in training videos. Stress narrows attention. Time feels compressed. Decisions are made quickly and often emotionally. Without clear guidance, some people will attempt to use an extinguisher when they should not. Others will avoid it entirely, even when a small fire could have been controlled safely. This is why clarity matters more than capability alone. Staff need to understand not just how an extinguisher works, but whether they are expected to use it at all. Without that clarity, extinguishers become symbolic objects rather than practical safety measures.

When extinguisher training makes sense

There are environments where extinguisher training can be appropriate and beneficial. This is usually where there is a higher likelihood of a small contained fire, such as in kitchens, workshops, plant rooms or areas where ignition sources and combustible materials are in close proximity. In these settings, training is not about turning staff into firefighters. It is about helping nominated individuals recognise the limits of what they should do, understand when it is safe to intervene, and know when evacuation is the only correct response. Well delivered training often reduces risk rather than increasing it, because people are less likely to act impulsively or heroically. At Fletcher Risk, we believe in the value of fire extinguisher training, and are proud to provide it, when it is appropriate for our client’s needs.

When it may not be appropriate

In many offices, accommodation blocks and public facing environments, expecting staff to use extinguishers can introduce unnecessary risk. Fires develop unpredictably, and the safest action is often to raise the alarm and leave the building immediately. In these cases, it can be entirely appropriate to provide clear instruction that extinguishers are not for general staff use. This is still a valid and defensible position, provided it is clearly documented and communicated. Fire safety is not weakened by this approach. In many cases, it is strengthened.

The risk of silence

One of the biggest problems we see is not the decision to train or not train, but the absence of any decision at all. Extinguishers are installed. Servicing takes place. But no one has explained what staff are expected to do if a fire starts. Silence creates ambiguity, and ambiguity creates risk. In a moment of stress, people fill the gaps themselves. That is rarely where good outcomes come from.

Making a proportionate decision

The right approach is always rooted in the fire risk assessment. The assessment should consider the nature of the work, the layout of the building, the presence of ignition sources, and the likely behaviour of occupants. From there, a clear decision can be made about whether extinguisher training is appropriate, who it applies to, and what the limits are. This is not about adding training for the sake of it. It is about aligning expectations with reality. If your staff do require fire extinguisher training, please contact us.

What are your next steps

If you are unsure whether your staff should be trained to use fire extinguishers, or whether your current arrangements are clear enough, it is often worth revisiting the question as part of your wider fire risk assessment. A short review can help clarify roles, remove uncertainty and ensure that your fire safety arrangements reflect how your building is actually used. Clarity reduces risk. Confidence follows.

Disclaimer

This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Fire safety duties and appropriate control measures depend on the specific premises, activities, occupancy and findings of a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment. If you require advice on your circumstances, you should seek competent professional support.

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