The Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025 came into force in England on 6 April 2026. They introduce new statutory duties for certain residential buildings, requiring Responsible Persons to develop, maintain and communicate clear, building-specific evacuation plans.
The regulations sit alongside existing duties under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.
Who the regulations apply to
The regulations apply to:
- High-rise residential buildings (at least 18 metres or 7 storeys)
- Multi-residential buildings over 11 metres in height where a simultaneous evacuation strategy is in place
Key duties for Responsible Persons
The regulations place a number of duties on the Responsible Person, including:
- Preparing a building-level emergency evacuation plan and reviewing it at least annually
- Identifying residents with cognitive or physical impairments that may affect their ability to evacuate
- Undertaking a person-centred fire risk assessment where requested by the resident or their representative
- Providing relevant evacuation information to the local Fire and Rescue Authority
Understanding Residential PEEPs
The objective of the regulations is to improve fire safety in higher-risk buildings, particularly for individuals who may have difficulty evacuating.
Where agreed between the Responsible Person and the resident, the person-centred fire risk assessment process should result in an emergency evacuation statement. This sets out what the resident should do in the event of a fire and provides information to the Fire and Rescue Authority to support their response.
This is commonly referred to as a Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP).
Guidance and supporting resources
The Government has produced guidance and a supporting toolkit for Responsible Persons. This includes practical advice on person-centred fire risk assessments and the preparation of Residential PEEPs.
Further details are available on the GOV.UK website.
Review and ongoing compliance
Once in place, Residential PEEPs must be reviewed no later than 12 months after the emergency evacuation statement is first recorded. Where no statement is agreed, the review must take place within 12 months of the person-centred fire risk assessment being carried out.
These must then be reviewed at least every 12 months, or sooner if circumstances change.
Practical steps for compliance
Responsible Persons should review their arrangements now by:
- Reviewing current fire risk assessments and evacuation strategies against the new requirements
- Drafting or updating building-specific evacuation plans, including routes, triggers, roles and responsibilities
- Putting resident communication measures in place and recording how information is shared
- Defining processes for identifying residents who may need additional support and ensuring data is handled lawfully
- Training relevant staff or managing agents, testing arrangements and maintaining clear records
How PIB Risk Management can help
Our Fire Risk Management specialists can support you in reviewing fire risk assessments, developing compliant evacuation plans and implementing Residential PEEPs to help meet your legal duties and protect residents.
