Why Fire Fighting Training Matters for Workplace Fire Preparedness

The Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 places a general duty on employers to provide and maintain, as far as reasonably practicable, a working environment that is safe and without risk to employees. Fire preparedness forms part of that responsibility, together with suitable fire precautions, safe means of egress, appropriate fire-fighting equipment and emergency arrangements that match the risks of the workplace.

Basic fire-fighting training is commonly used to give selected employees the practical knowledge needed to recognise a developing fire, raise the alarm, choose suitable hand-operated equipment and decide when it is safer to evacuate. The correct number of trained people and the level of competence required should be determined from the workplace fire risk, layout, occupancy, shift pattern and emergency plan.

The Legislative Framework: OHS Duties, Fire Precautions and Building Requirements

The OHS Act and its regulations do not prescribe one universal ratio of trained workplace fire fighters. General Safety Regulation 13J requires employers, having regard to factors such as the size, construction and location of the workplace and the amount and type of flammable materials, to provide an adequate supply of suitable fire-fighting equipment at strategic locations and to maintain that equipment in good working order.

SANS 10400-T deals primarily with fire-protection requirements associated with buildings. It should be considered together with the employer’s OHS duties and the specific risks and emergency arrangements of the workplace. In practice, employers should ensure that:

• Fire hazards must be identified as part of a workplace fire risk assessment.
• Appropriate fire-fighting equipment must be provided and maintained in working order.
• Employees who are expected to use fire-fighting equipment are given suitable information, instruction and practical training for that role.
• Emergency arrangements clearly define how alarms are raised, how evacuation takes place and what employees should do if a fire occurs.

There is therefore no single lawful number that can be copied from another workplace. The employer should determine what fire-response competence is reasonably required from the actual fire hazards, building layout, occupancy, shifts and emergency arrangements.

What Happened to SAQA Unit Standard 13961?

SAQA Unit Standard 13961, titled “Demonstrate Knowledge and Use of Hand Operated Fire Fighting Equipment”, was historically used for basic workplace fire-fighting training. However, SAQA records show that this unit standard has passed its end date. The last date for new enrolment was 30 June 2024, with a last date for achievement of 30 June 2027.

The historical unit standard focused on practical knowledge of fire and the use of hand-operated fire-fighting equipment. Employers should therefore be careful about webpages or quotations that still advertise new 2026 enrolments specifically against US 13961. Current training should be described according to the provider’s present accreditation or programme approval rather than relying on an expired enrolment route.

For workplace purposes, basic fire-fighting training should remain focused on safe first response: recognising when a fire can be approached, selecting appropriate equipment, using it correctly and knowing when to abandon suppression and evacuate. It should not be presented as structural fire-fighter training.

What Fire Fighting Level 1 Training Covers

A practical basic fire-fighting course should address the following core areas:

• Fire behaviour and the fire triangle — understanding the three elements required for combustion (fuel, heat, oxygen) and how removing any one of these elements extinguishes a fire.
• Classes of fire — distinguishing between Class A (ordinary combustibles), Class B (flammable liquids), Class C (gases), Class D (metals) and Class F (cooking oils and fats), since the class determines which extinguishing agent is appropriate.
• Types of hand-operated firefighting equipment — portable fire extinguishers (CO₂, dry powder, wet chemical, foam) and fire hose reels, including their applicable fire classes, limitations and location requirements under SANS 10400-T.
• Safe deployment of portable fire extinguishers — the PASS technique (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep) and safe operating distances.
• Decision-making at the scene — when to attempt suppression and when to evacuate immediately, protecting life over property.
• Workplace evacuation procedures — roles of the trained fire fighter within the broader emergency evacuation plan, including communicating the alarm, assisting evacuation and reporting to the assembly point.

Where practical exercises are included, they should be conducted under controlled conditions so that learners can practise equipment use safely rather than relying on theory alone.

Who Needs Fire Fighting Level 1 Training?

The OHS Act does not prescribe a fixed workplace fire-fighter ratio. The appropriate number of trained people should be based on the workplace fire risk, building layout, number of occupants, shifts, leave and absence coverage, location of fire equipment and the emergency-response arrangements.

In general terms, Fire Fighting Level 1 training is essential for:

• Employees who have been assigned a first-response fire role in the workplace emergency plan.
• Safety personnel or supervisors who are expected to assist with fire-response arrangements and who need appropriate competence for that function.
• Employees working in higher-risk environments — warehouses, manufacturing facilities, chemical stores, commercial kitchens, printing operations and construction sites — where the probability of ignition is elevated.
• Any employee who may be expected to use a fire extinguisher or hose reel during an emergency, since using firefighting equipment without training exposes both the individual and the employer to liability.

Providing extinguishers alone is not a complete emergency system. Employers should make sure employees know how to raise the alarm, when to evacuate, who is expected to use equipment and what training those persons need. The emphasis should always remain on life safety rather than requiring employees to fight a fire that is unsafe to approach.

Basic vs. Advanced Fire Fighting: What Is the Difference?

Fire Fighting Level 1 (Basic) qualifies an employee to combat first-order fires using hand-operated equipment. Advanced Fire Fighting training builds on this foundation and prepares designated fire fighters to manage more complex fire scenarios, conduct systematic searches, use breathing apparatus, coordinate team responses and assist emergency services on arrival.

Basic training may be suitable where employees are only expected to use portable equipment on a small, early-stage fire. More advanced competence may be appropriate where the workplace risk assessment and emergency-response structure require a broader response capability.

The training level selected should match the actual role employees are expected to perform during an emergency.

The Fire Equipment Link: Training and Compliance Go Together

Training and equipment need to work together. Fire-fighting equipment must be suitable for the hazards, correctly located and maintained in good working order. Building requirements, equipment standards and the workplace fire risk should all be considered when determining the appropriate fire-protection arrangement.

For fire equipment supply, servicing and compliance inspections, Altra Fire provides specialist fire-protection services. Employers should make sure their training, fire equipment and emergency arrangements are aligned rather than managed as unrelated activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can new learners still be enrolled against SAQA Unit Standard 13961?

SAQA records show that Unit Standard 13961 has passed its end date and that the last date for new enrolment was 30 June 2024. Employers booking training in 2026 should therefore confirm the provider’s current programme, accreditation or approval basis instead of assuming that a new learner can still be enrolled against US 13961.

How long does Fire Fighting Level 1 training take?

The training is completed in one day, combining classroom instruction with a practical live-fire component.

How often should fire-fighting training be refreshed?

There is no single universal refresher period in the OHS Act for every workplace fire-fighting course. Refresher training should take account of the training programme or certificate requirements, the employee’s continued competence, changes to equipment or hazards, emergency-drill performance and the employer’s risk assessment.

Does the OHS Act specify how many fire fighters a workplace must have?

The OHS Act does not prescribe a fixed ratio. The appropriate number of trained people should be determined from the workplace fire risk, layout, occupancy, shifts, emergency plan and the response role employees are expected to perform.

Can fire-fighting and first-aid training be scheduled together?

Yes. Employers can coordinate fire-fighting and First Aid Training within the same training plan, provided the correct employees, course requirements and practical arrangements are considered separately.

Plan Workplace Fire-Fighting Training in South Africa

Altra Medical can help employers plan workplace fire-fighting training around their actual fire risks, employee numbers, shifts and emergency-response structure. When booking training, confirm the current programme and accreditation basis applicable to the course being offered.

To discuss your fire-safety training requirements, view our workplace health and safety courses or contact Altra Medical. For fire equipment supply, servicing and fire-protection compliance services, visit Altra Fire.