Who this course is for
- Workplace first responders who need to use a fire extinguisher correctly
- Members of a site or factory emergency team
- Office, warehouse and workshop staff nominated as fire marshals
- Employers who have to appoint trained first responders under the OHS Act
What you will be able to do after this course
- Identify the different classes of fire and the hazards that cause them
- Select the right extinguisher or hose reel for the class of fire
- Approach, contain and extinguish a small fire safely
- Raise the alarm, evacuate and know when not to fight a fire
What the course covers
The course is aimed at helping learners identify different kinds of hazards and fires, and teaches them to contain a fire and use basic equipment and procedures to extinguish it.
Learners cover the fire triangle and how fires start and spread, the classes of fire and the extinguishing media that suit each, types of portable extinguisher and hose reel, pre-use checks on fire equipment, safe approach and extinguishing technique, raising the alarm and evacuation procedure, and recognising the point at which a fire should be left to the fire services. Practical work is done on live fires.
How you are assessed and what you receive
Assessment covers a written knowledge test and a practical on live fire, where the learner selects the right extinguisher and puts out a controlled fire under supervision. On successful completion the learner is certificated against the relevant unit standard, and the certificate can be downloaded from the Fundza portal as well as issued directly.
What this certificate is worth
The Occupational Health and Safety Act requires employers to have trained people who can respond to a fire, and this is the certificate that shows it. It is checked at site induction and during safety audits, and it is one of the certificates most often asked for alongside first aid. Learners can download it from the Fundza portal at any time.
Duration, dates and fees
| Option | Duration | Fee | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full course | 2 Days | R1 034 | First-time certification |
On-site delivery at your own premises is available and is usually the better option for a group, since the training can use the extinguishers and hose reels you actually have installed. For group bookings, tell us how many people need certifying and where they are based.
Where and how the training runs
Training runs at the Fundza Training Institute centre in Mokopane, and on site at your own premises anywhere in the country. On-site delivery is generally better for a fire team, because they learn on the equipment mounted in their own building. For a group booking, tell us how many people need certifying and where they are based, and we will come back with dates and a quotation.
Fire Fighting Level 1 and Level 2: how they differ
| Level 1 (this course) | Level 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| What it certifies | First response with basic equipment | Working as part of a fire team on a developed fire |
| Equipment | Portable extinguishers and hose reels | Hose reels and larger fire fighting equipment |
| Duration | 2 days | 2 days |
Level 1 is about putting out a small fire before it grows. Level 2 is for people who will be part of an organised response once it has.
Where this course can take you
Fire fighting Level 1 is normally one of the first safety certificates a worker holds. The usual next steps are Fire Fighting Level 2 for members of a fire team, and First Aid Level 1 and SHE Representative training alongside it. Many employers book the set together in the Safety Combo.
See both levels side by side on the fire fighting courses page.
Enquire about this course
Tell us how many people need certifying and where they are based, and we will come back with dates and a quotation.
Fire Fighting Level 1 questions
What does Fire Fighting Level 1 cover?
Fire Fighting Level 1 covers first response to a fire at work: the fire tetrahedron and what keeps a fire burning, common causes of fires, how fires are detected and reported, the classes of fire, which extinguisher puts out which fire, evacuation procedures, the duties of a fire warden, a basic fire risk assessment, emergency patient carries and preserving the scene afterwards.
How long is Fire Fighting Level 1 and what does it cost?
Fire Fighting Level 1 runs over 2 days and costs R1 034 at Fundza. The fee covers the training, the assessment and certification, and you can download your certificate afterwards. Group bookings for on-site training are quoted per booking.
Do I need any previous fire training?
No. Fire Fighting Level 1 is the entry-level fire course at Fundza, so no previous fire certificate is needed. Fire Fighting Level 2 is the one that builds on it, for people who will work as part of a fire team.
Is there a practical on a real fire?
Yes. Fire Fighting Level 1 is assessed in writing and on live fire practicals, so you use a real extinguisher on a real fire rather than only reading about it.
Should I do Level 1 or Level 2?
Do Fire Fighting Level 1 if you are the person nearest the extinguisher when a fire starts. Do Fire Fighting Level 2 if you will work with hose reels and larger equipment as part of a site fire team. The fire fighting courses page compares the two side by side.
Can Fundza train our team at our workplace?
Yes. Fundza trains fire fighting groups on site anywhere in South Africa, for mines, construction companies, municipalities and other employers. Group size and travel are quoted per booking, and individual learners train at the Mokopane centre.
