Responsible persons for high-rise residential buildings in England have had a legal duty since 23 January 2023 to install and maintain a secure information box in or on the building. The box must be readily accessible to the fire and rescue service and contain key building information that may be needed during an emergency.
Since 6 April 2025, the Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025 have introduced additional requirements for some buildings. Where applicable, secure information boxes should also contain relevant evacuation information, including information relating to residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs).
Why secure information boxes matter
Supporting emergency response
Secure information boxes provide firefighters with quick access to essential building information during an incident. This can help the fire and rescue service understand the building layout, fire safety arrangements and any relevant evacuation information before entering the building.
Meeting legal responsibilities
For those who own or manage high-rise residential buildings, maintaining an up-to-date secure information box is an important part of complying with fire safety legislation. The box should be secure, readily accessible to the fire and rescue service and kept up to date whenever building information changes.
Updated guidance for responsible persons
The Fire Protection Association (FPA), working with the Fire Industry Association (FIA), has published updated guidance on secure information boxes.
The guidance includes practical advice on:
- where secure information boxes should be located
- construction and security requirements
- the information that should be included
- inspection, maintenance and ongoing management.
The guidance is relevant to building owners, managing agents, landlords and anyone with responsibility for fire safety in high-rise residential buildings.
How PIB Risk Management can help
Document preparation and management
PIB Risk Management can assist with collating and preparing the documents that may need to be included within a secure information box.
Fire risk assessments
We can also support you with fire risk assessments for your premises, helping you understand your duties and identify where improvements may be required.
Secure information boxes play an important role in building safety and emergency response. If you own or manage a high-rise residential building, now is a good time to review whether your arrangements remain compliant, complete and up to date.
