How Often Should Fire Drills Be Carried Out?

Slanjava Learning Ltd.
Oct 7
4 min read

Fire drills are an essential part of keeping people safe at work, at home, and in the community. They ensure that everyone knows what to do in the event of a fire and that evacuation plans actually work in practice. But one of the most common questions organisations ask is: how often should fire drills be carried out?

Legal Requirements in the UK and Scotland

In Scotland, the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006 require dutyholders to maintain and test fire safety procedures “as often as necessary to ensure that they remain effective” (Scottish Government, 2006).

In England and Wales, the equivalent legislation is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which places a duty on employers, building owners, and occupiers to ensure that people can safely evacuate in the event of a fire (UK Government, 2005).

A large screen displaying the Slanjava Learning Fire Marshal/Warden SCQF Level 5 welcome slide with instructor name Lee Johnston, shown in a modern training room setup. — Slanjava Learning’s Fire Marshal/Warden SCQF Level 5 course welcomes delegates to a practical, accredited training session led by experienced instructor Lee Johnston.

Best Practice Guidance

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), every workplace should test its emergency evacuation procedures regularly, with most organisations conducting at least one fire drill per year (HSE, 2019).

However, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and other fire safety professionals recommend six-monthly fire drills for higher-risk environments such as care homes, hospitals, or educational settings (SFRS, 2021).

Additional drills are advisable when:

There are changes to the layout or alarm systems.
New staff or residents join the premises.
Fire risk assessments identify issues.
There has been an actual fire, false alarm, or near miss (HSE, 2019).

Why Regular Fire Drills Matter

Regular fire drills are a critical component of fire safety management. They allow organisations to:

Test and refine the evacuation plan (HSE, 2019).
Identify bottlenecks or potential hazards.
Ensure staff and visitors understand exit routes.
Confirm that fire wardens or marshals can fulfil their roles confidently.

Drills can also highlight practical concerns such as alarm audibility, clarity of signage, and accessibility for individuals with mobility challenges or sensory impairments.

Fire Drills in Health and Social Care Settings

In health and social care environments, where individuals may require assistance to evacuate, fire drills are especially important. The Care Inspectorate and Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) expect staff to participate in regular fire safety training and drills as part of their compliance with the Health and Social Care Standards (Scottish Government, 2017).

Best practice in care settings includes:

Conducting quarterly fire drills or rotating evacuation practices across shifts.
Running scenario-based exercises, such as simulated smoke or blocked exits.
Incorporating drills into Fire Marshal or Fire Warden refresher training (Care Inspectorate, 2023).

Close-up view of red fire extinguishers—water and CO₂ types - arranged for use in fire safety training delivered by Slanjava Learning. — A selection of fire extinguishers, including water and CO₂ types, used in Slanjava Learning’s accredited Fire Marshal and Fire Safety training sessions.

Recording and Reviewing Fire Drills

After each drill, it’s important to document:

Date and time of the drill.
Evacuation duration.
Issues identified and actions taken.

These records should be stored in your fire safety logbook and reviewed during your annual fire risk assessment (UK Government, 2023). Regular review ensures your procedures remain current, effective, and compliant.

Training and Support

At Slanjava Learning Ltd, we deliver Fire Marshal and Fire Warden training across Scotland and the wider UK, alongside a range of Evacuation Chair and Evacuation Mat courses for both operators and trainers. Our SCQF/RQF accredited courses cover:

Fire prevention and awareness.
Alarm systems and evacuation roles.
The safe use of extinguishers (optional practical).
Planning and leading effective fire drills.

Every course booking helps us plant a tree in partnership with JUST ONE Tree, supporting a safer and more sustainable world.

Key Takeaway

At least one fire drill per year is the minimum recommendation for most workplaces.However, high-risk or complex environments such as care homes, hospitals, or educational facilities should aim for every six months or whenever significant changes occur.

Interested in learning more? You can book onto one of our accredited Fire Marshal/Warden courses by calling 0141 459 0894 or emailing hello@slanjavalearning.co.uk

Kind regards,

Slanjava Learning Ltd.

-slàinte mhath-

The information provided is for general fire safety guidance and training purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional fire risk assessment, legal advice, or compliance consultation. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, Slanjava Learning Ltd accepts no liability for any errors, omissions, or actions taken based on this information. Organisations should always refer to current legislation, local fire safety policies, and guidance from competent fire safety professionals.

#firesafety #firedrills #training

References:

Care Inspectorate (2023) Fire Safety in Care Services: Guidance for Care Providers. Dundee: Care Inspectorate. Available at: https://www.careinspectorate.com/images/Guidance_notes_for_fire_safety_checklist_all_services.pdf (Accessed: 7 October 2025).
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) (2019) Fire Safety in the Workplace. Available at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/toolbox/fire.htm (Accessed: 7 October 2025).
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) (2021) Fire Safety Guidance for Specialised Housing and Similar Premises. Available at: https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/businesses-and-landlords/business-advice-and-guidance/ (Accessed: 7 October 2025).
Scottish Government (2006) Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (SSI 2006/456). Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2006/456/contents/made (Accessed: 7 October 2025).
Scottish Government (2017) Health and Social Care Standards: My Support, My Life. Available at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/health-social-care-standards-support-life/ (Accessed: 7 October 2025).
UK Government (2005) Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/1541/contents/made (Accessed: 7 October 2025).
UK Government (2023) Fire Safety in the Workplace. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/workplace-fire-safety-your-responsibilities (Accessed: 7 October 2025).