The training of fire protection assistants is regulated by ASR A2.2 and is carried out in accordance with DGUV I 205-023. The legal basis is the Occupational Health and Safety Act (ArbSchG) § 10.

The safe handling and use of fire extinguishing equipment to fight incipient fires without endangering self and to ensure that employees can leave the building independently (escape).

• The duties of the fire safety assistant include:
• Support of the fire protection officer
• Support in preventive fire protection, e.g. through patrols
• Support during building evacuation and evacuation
• Firefighting in case of incipient fires without danger to self
• Operation of fire protection equipment (wall hydrants, smoke and heat extractors, semi-stationary extinguishing systems, etc.)
• Instructing the arriving fire department

• As a rule, a proportion of 5% of employees is sufficient for normal fire hazards (e.g. office use).
• For facilities with an increased fire hazard (laboratories, workshops) and areas with an increased number of persons (employees, persons from outside the company, persons with limited mobility), a significant increase in the training quota is advisable, but at least 10% of the employees.
• If the workforce is distributed over several locations, the number of fire protection assistants must be kept available for each location in accordance with the fire hazard determined.

The training and provision of fire protection assistants does not release the employer from the obligation to instruct the employees regularly (at least once a year) about the fire hazards and fire protection equipment available in their work area and how to behave in the event of danger.