Portable Fire Extinguisher Course

Course Overview

Current legislation, including the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003, applies to all workplaces regardless of the number of employees and requires employers to provide adequate training in fire awareness for all members of their staff. Our online fire safety training courses are aimed at all employees to assist them in identifying and reducing the risk that fire presents in the workplace. This course provides training in the use of different types of fire extinguishers and the protocol of tackling a fire.

Need to service and maintain extinguishers professionally? See our onsite Fire Extinguisher Technician Training course.

About This Course

Current legislation, including the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003, applies to all workplaces regardless of the number of employees and requires employers to provide adequate training in fire awareness for all members of their staff. Our online fire safety training courses are aimed at all employees to assist them in identifying and reducing the risk that fire presents in the workplace. This course provides training in the use of different types of fire extinguishers and the protocol of tackling a fire.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Identify the different types of Fire Extinguishers that are available
• Understand when, where and which fire extinguisher to use
• Know what actions to take upon discovering a fire

Using this Portable Fire Extinguisher Course course in Ireland

This online fire safety course can support induction, refresher training and training records for Irish workplaces. It is most useful where an employer wants a consistent awareness module that staff can complete before, or between, site-specific fire safety instruction.

The course should be used alongside the building's own fire procedures, evacuation strategy, assembly arrangements, alarm response, fire door management and local reporting routes. Fire safety training is strongest when learners understand both the general principles and the actual building they work in.

Phoenix STS presents this course as part of a wider fire safety training matrix. The course information PDF and sample certificate on this page help managers check the content before assigning it to staff.

For portable fire extinguishers, online learning can explain principles, types and limitations, but it does not by itself prove practical extinguisher competence. Employers should decide whether practical instruction or supervised demonstration is needed for the role and workplace.

Course information PDF

View or download the course information PDF before enrolling. It summarises the course content, expected duration and assessment information.

Sample certificate

View or download a sample certificate for this online course. The final certificate is issued through the online course platform after the learner successfully completes the course and assessment.

Supporting guidance for fire safety training frequency

Irish fire-safety guidance does not set one fixed course duration or refresher cycle for every workplace. Phoenix STS sets the training length and review period by looking at the role, building type, evacuation strategy, staff duties, fire risk assessment and whether practical exercises are needed.

The links below support the training decision by showing the wider Irish expectations around fire risk management, emergency escape, fire prevention and staff duties. Higher-risk workplaces, healthcare settings and premises with complex evacuation arrangements may need more frequent training or drills than a lower-risk office.

Useful guidance links

HSA fire guidance.

HSA emergency escape and fire fighting.

HSA fire prevention guidance.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the Portable Fire Extinguisher Course course suitable for?

It is suitable for learners who need structured fire safety awareness or refresher training as part of their workplace training plan. Employers should still match the course to the learner's role, the premises risk profile and the fire safety arrangements in place.

Is online fire safety training enough on its own?

Not always. Online training can provide useful awareness and a record of completion, but it should be supported by local instruction where staff need to understand the specific building, evacuation arrangements, alarm response, resident or visitor needs, or practical equipment use.

What evidence does the learner receive?

Learners receive completion evidence through the online course platform after successfully completing the course. The course information PDF and sample certificate on this page allow employers to review the expected evidence before enrolling staff.

Does the extinguisher course replace hands-on practice?

It should not be relied on as the only evidence of practical extinguisher competence. It can support awareness, but employers should decide whether hands-on instruction is needed based on the role and workplace risks.

Related online course categories

Continue browsing related Phoenix STS online training categories. These internal links help learners find the most relevant course route for their role or sector.