Fire safety awareness training will open your eyes

In any building, whether it's a workplace, school, care home, or community space, fire safety awareness can save lives. But while most people know that fire is dangerous, not everyone is confident in what to do if one breaks out. That's where fire safety awareness training comes in.

At Bells Down Training, our courses are designed not just to tick boxes, but to genuinely prepare people to act quickly, calmly, and effectively in an emergency. Here's what you'll actually learn on a fire safety awareness course, and why it matters.

1. Fire Exit Locations: Know Your Way Out

It might seem simple, but many people don't take note of fire exits until it's too late. Fire safety awareness training puts this front and centre.

• How to locate designated fire exits in your building
• The importance of keeping exits clearly marked and unobstructed
• How to communicate exit locations to others during an emergency
• Knowing your exits in advance saves vital seconds, and seconds matter in a fire

2. Evacuation Strategies: What to Do When the Alarm Sounds

A big part of fire safety is understanding how to leave a building safely. During training, you'll be introduced to:

• Evacuation plans for your workplace or building
• The importance of assembly points and headcounts
• Your potential role in assisting others, especially those with mobility issues
• What to do if your usual exit route is blocked
• A good exit strategy reduces confusion, panic, and injury in high-stress situations.

3. Spotting Hazards: What Shouldn't Be There

Even the best first aiders understand that their role has limits. First aid is about bridging the gap between the moment an incident occurs and the time professional medical help arrives. A trained individual can:

Fire safety isn't just about reacting; it's about preventing fires before they start. You'll learn how to identify hazards, including:

• Blocked fire exits or escape routes
• Items like bins, furniture, or stock left in hallways or near doors
• Fire extinguishers that are obstructed or missing
• Being aware of your environment and spotting unsafe practices is a key outcome of training.

4. Sources of Ignition: Recognising Fire Risks

Most fires begin with something mundane and everyday, like an overloaded socket or a poorly maintained appliance. Training will cover:

• Common sources of ignition (e.g. electrical faults, heaters, naked flames)
• How to store flammable materials safely
• Why certain work processes or equipment increase risk
• The importance of housekeeping and regular maintenance

By learning to identify and minimise these risks, you're helping to stop fires before they begin.

5. How Fires Spread: Understanding Fire Behaviour

A basic understanding of how fires behave is essential. Training will explain:

• The fire triangle (heat, fuel, oxygen)
• How fires can move through stairwells, ceilings, or ventilation
• Why closing doors can contain a fire and buy time
• The impact of smoke inhalation, and how to reduce exposure

This knowledge builds awareness of what not to do during a fire and helps you make better decisions under pressure.

6. Using Fire Extinguishers (When Safe to Do So)

In some cases, you may be able to tackle a small fire, but only if it's safe to do so. Fire safety awareness training can include:

• An introduction to different types of fire extinguishers
• What types of fires each extinguisher is used for (e.g. electrical vs flammable liquids)
• The PASS technique (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep)
• When to evacuate instead of fight the fire

Using the wrong extinguisher can make a situation worse, training ensures you use the right one, or know when to leave it to the professionals.