In this blog, we’ll help you decide whether a basic Firefighting course or an Advanced Firefighting course is the right certification for you. We’ll discuss why firefighting training is essential for most workplaces, what content is covered in basic Firefighting and Advanced Firefighting courses, and what to expect when it comes to firefighting course prices.
What is an OHS firefighting course?
An OHS (occupational health and safety) firefighting course is designed to give individuals the knowledge and skills needed to implement fire prevention programmes, conduct fire risk assessments, maintain and operate firefighting equipment, and extinguish fires in a workplace setting.
What is a Fire Warden?
A Fire Warden is the member of your workplace Health and Safety Team responsible for matters relating to fire preparedness, fire prevention, and firefighting. Fire Wardens must undergo accredited OHS firefighting training. The responsibilities of a Fire Warden include:
- Assist with duties relating to fire prevention
- Extinguishing fires when it is safe to do so
- Performing firefighting equipment checks and ensuring that equipment is maintained in good working order and regularly serviced
- Maintaining communication with the Fire Warden Coordinator or OHS Supervisor
- Assisting security and the OHS Supervisor to warn staff and the public of dangerous incidents and fires
Keeping their firefighting certification current and attending refresher training when necessary
How many Fire Wardens should be appointed?
The industry norm is to appoint one Fire Warden for every group of 50 employees (1:50 ratio). So, if you employ 170 people, you need four Fire Wardens. In workplaces or industries with a very high fire risk, additional Fire Wardens may be required.
Is OHS firefighting training a legal requirement in South Africa?
Section 8 of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act stipulates that employers have a legal duty to provide any training necessary to ensure the health and safety of employees at work. As such, employers are required to mitigate workplace fire risks by training and appointing Fire Marshals (alongside implementing fire prevention programmes, providing the appropriate firefighting equipment, conducting fire and evacuation drills, etc.).
Basic Firefighting Course
A basic Firefighting course is a one-day course that is appropriate for a wide range of workplaces, industries, and settings. The course covers a wide range of content and equips workplace Fire Wardens to extinguish fires using fire extinguishers.
Who should do a basic Firefighting course?
The basic Firefighting course is recommended for all businesses and is suitable for all offices, shops, small warehouses, etc., where fires are usually small and easy to detect and extinguish.
Basic Firefighting Course Contents and Key Skills:
- Theory of fire
- Causes of fire
- How fires spread
- Fire prevention programmes
- Roles and responsibilities of a Fire Warden and Fire Warden Coordinator
- Fire detection systems
- Reporting a fire and liaising with Emergency Services
- Classes of fire
- Firefighting equipment (fire extinguishers, hose reels, fire blankets, etc.)
- Firefighting equipment inspections and maintenance
- Extinguishing a fire using a fire extinguisher
- Fire safety signage
- Evacuation procedures
- Fire risk assessment
- Fire investigation and scene preservation
Advanced Firefighting Course
An Advanced Firefighting course is a two-day course designed to equip individuals with more in-depth knowledge and additional skills needed to deal with larger, fast-moving fires in normal- to higher-risk environments. In addition to the content covered in a basic Firefighting course, an Advanced Firefighting course covers dangerous situations like flashovers and back draughts and instruction on the use of firefighting PPE (fire boots, flash hoods, bunker pants, fire tunics, and helmets). The course also provides practical training on using extinguishers as well as the use of high-pressure hoses and fire hydrants, with additional practical firefighting exercises conducted on the second day of the course.
Advanced Firefighting Course Contents:
- Theory of fire
- Causes of fire
- How fires spread
- Fire prevention programmes
- Roles and responsibilities of a Fire Warden and Fire Warden Coordinator
- Fire detection systems
- Reporting a fire and liaising with Emergency Services
- Classes of fire
- Firefighting equipment (fire extinguishers, hose reels, fire blankets, hydrants, etc.)
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Firefighting equipment inspections and maintenance
- Types of fire attacks
- Extinguishing a fire using a fire extinguisher
- Hose and hydrant drills
- How to operate a nozzle (branch)
- Firefighting hand signals
- Burn wound treatment
- Emergency carry methods
- Fire safety signage
- Evacuation procedures
- Fire risk assessment
- Fire investigation and scene preservation
Who should do an Advanced Firefighting course?
Businesses located in buildings with bigger fire loads, or businesses that deal with flammable or combustible materials should invest in Advanced Firefighting training. Large warehouses, factories, and fuel depots are examples of businesses that should consider sending Fire Wardens on Advanced Firefighting courses. We do recommend that after completing the one-day basic Firefighting course, that consideration is given to attending the Advanced Firefighting training as progression to the next level. Advanced Firefighting can also be used as a teambuilding exercise for the Health and Safety Team.
Firefighting course requirements
There are no entrance requirements for either Firefighting or Advanced Firefighting courses. However, appointed Fire Wardens should be in relatively good physical condition as there are physical aspects to firefighting, such as lifting and operating a fire extinguisher.
Firefighting course prices
First Aid, Fire and Safety Training offers both basic and Advanced Firefighting training:
- Our one-day Firefighting course costs R825.00 per person (excl. VAT).
- Our two-day Advanced Firefighting course costs R1,750.00 per person (excl. VAT).
Contact us to find out more about our firefighting training or to book a course.