This Fire Safety Level 1 eLearning course is designed for UK health and social care workers who need a clear awareness of fire prevention, fire risks and safe emergency response. It supports staff to understand their everyday responsibilities and act calmly and appropriately if they discover fire, smoke or an alarm sounds.
This free course covers the fire triangle, smoke and toxic fumes, common healthcare fire hazards, local fire procedures, evacuation awareness, fire safety signs, extinguishers, reporting routes and the importance of refresher training and local drills.
This Fire Safety Level 1 e-learning course is mapped to the Fire Safety learning outcomes of the Core Skills Training Framework at knowledge and awareness level. It supports CSTF-aligned statutory and mandatory fire safety training but does not, on its own, evidence full CSTF delivery compliance. Local site-specific induction, practical drills, role-specific training and competent trainer/facilitator assurance must be provided and recorded separately where required by role, premises, fire risk assessment and local policy.
Why Take This eLearning Course?
Fire safety is a core part of safe practice in health and social care environments. This course helps learners recognise fire risks, follow local procedures and understand how early action can protect patients, visitors, colleagues, buildings and essential services.
This course will help you to:
- Understand how fires start and spread
- Recognise common fire hazards in healthcare settings
- Respond appropriately to smoke, fumes and alarms
- Support safer movement away from danger
- Keep exits, call points and fire doors clear
- Report and escalate fire safety concerns correctly
- Understand local evacuation arrangements at awareness level
- Recognise common fire extinguishers and fire blankets
- Know when not to use firefighting equipment
- Keep fire safety knowledge current through drills and updates
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Define the fire triangle and explain basic combustion
- Describe the risks linked to fire, smoke and toxic fumes
- Identify common workplace hazards that may increase fire risk
- Explain how fire risk controls affect everyday work
- List practical ways to prevent fires at work
- Describe local fire procedures and staff responsibilities
- Explain what to do when discovering fire or hearing an alarm
- Identify evacuation routes, exits, assembly points and refuges
- Recognise broad extinguisher types and their awareness-level uses
- Identify when to seek help or further role-specific training
Fire Safety eLearning Course Outline
Module 1: Fire Behaviour, Smoke and Early Action
Learners will explore how fires start by understanding heat, fuel and oxygen as the three parts of the fire triangle. This module explains the basic combustion process, the dangers of fire, smoke and toxic fumes, and how poor visibility or breathing difficulties can affect decision-making. Learners will also consider why early action is especially important in healthcare environments, including raising the alarm, protecting people and helping to contain danger where it is safe to do so.
Module 2: Fire Hazards and Risk Controls in Healthcare Workplaces
Learners will identify common fire hazards found in healthcare settings, including electrical equipment, waste, linen, kitchens, storage areas, oxygen, medical gases and clinical equipment. This module also explains how poor housekeeping, blocked routes, unsafe storage and wedged fire doors can increase risk. Learners will understand how fire risk assessment findings translate into everyday controls, local actions and safe working expectations.
Module 3: Fire Prevention and Reporting Concerns
Learners will review practical ways to prevent fires during routine work, including safe equipment use, good housekeeping, control of heat sources and prompt fault reporting. This module covers the safe use of plugs, chargers, portable heaters and electrical items, alongside the importance of keeping fire doors, alarm points, escape routes and firefighting equipment clear. Learners will also understand how to report and escalate concerns through local routes.
Module 4: Local Fire Procedures and Emergency Actions
Learners will examine how local fire procedures guide staff actions in different work areas, including wards, clinics, offices, kitchens, stores and community bases. This module covers fire action notices, manual call points, alarm sounds, emergency contacts, key signs and what to do when discovering fire or smoke. Learners will also understand how to respond when hearing the fire alarm, including preparing, following instructions and supporting others within their role.
Module 5: Evacuation Awareness in Healthcare Settings
Learners will develop awareness of local evacuation routes, exits, assembly points and refuges, including why arrangements can vary between buildings and departments. This module explains how patients, visitors and colleagues may need support due to mobility, sensory, cognitive, communication or clinical needs. Learners will also explore awareness-level evacuation methods used in healthcare, including movement away from danger, compartment use, progressive horizontal evacuation, refuges and the need for practical drills and site-specific induction.
Module 6: Firefighting Equipment Awareness
Learners will be introduced to common fire extinguishers and fire blankets, including water, foam, carbon dioxide, dry powder and wet chemical extinguishers. This module explains their broad uses at awareness level and why staff should rely on labels, signs, local policy and practical training rather than guessing during an incident. Learners will also understand the precautions required before using firefighting equipment and when evacuation is the safer decision.
Module 7: Seeking Help, Further Training and Keeping Knowledge Current
Learners will consider when to seek help from fire wardens, switchboard, security, managers or the fire safety team. This module outlines situations where role-specific fire safety training may be required, such as specialist clinical areas, kitchens, laboratories, estates, facilities or assigned evacuation roles. Learners will also review common mistakes to avoid during a fire incident and understand how refresher learning, drills, updated risk assessments and local changes help keep fire safety knowledge current.
Target Audience
This course is suitable for:
- Health and social care workers in the UK
- Staff working in hospitals, clinics, care settings or community healthcare environments
- New starters, bank staff, temporary staff and returning staff
- Support, administrative, facilities and non-clinical healthcare staff
- Volunteers and contractors working in healthcare premises
- Managers who need staff to understand basic fire safety responsibilities
No previous specialist knowledge is required.
FAQ
Who is this course suitable for?
This course is suitable for health and social care workers who need Level 1 fire safety awareness. It is relevant to staff working in healthcare premises, care environments, community bases and other settings where local fire procedures must be followed.
Do I need any previous experience?
No. The course is designed as an awareness-level introduction and does not require previous fire safety training or specialist technical knowledge.
What will I learn on this Fire Safety Level 1 course?
You will learn how fires start, how smoke and fumes affect safety, how to recognise common fire hazards, what local fire procedures usually cover, how evacuation may work in healthcare settings and when to report concerns or seek further help.
Will this course help with day-to-day practice?
Yes. The course focuses on everyday actions such as keeping routes clear, reporting faults, using equipment safely, understanding local notices and responding calmly if fire, smoke or an alarm is identified.
Does the course cover practical skills?
The course provides awareness-level knowledge. It explains evacuation methods and firefighting equipment in broad terms, but it does not replace practical training for extinguisher use, evacuation aids or assigned fire safety roles.
Does it cover relevant responsibilities or good practice?
Yes. The course covers staff responsibilities such as following local fire procedures, raising the alarm, supporting others within role and training, reporting hazards and keeping fire safety knowledge up to date.
How long does the course take?
The course is self-paced and usually takes around 1 hour to complete.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. A certificate is issued after successful completion.
Fire Safety Level 1 eLearning gives staff a practical foundation for recognising hazards, following local arrangements and responding safely in healthcare and social care environments. It supports calm, consistent action and helps organisations promote safer day-to-day practice.
Enrol now to build your understanding of fire safety awareness.
