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Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) are individual plans that set out how a person who may need assistance will evacuate a building safely in the event of a fire. They are an essential part of fire safety for disabled and vulnerable people in workplaces, care homes, HMOs, blocks of flats and other premises.
This guide explains what PEEPs are, when they are required, the new residential rules in England, and practical steps for Responsible Persons.
A PEEP is a documented plan tailored to an individual. It identifies:
PEEPs are person-centred. They should be developed with the individual (or their representative) and reviewed regularly.
Anyone whose ability to evacuate unaided is compromised may need a PEEP. This includes people with:
In workplaces this often covers staff and regular visitors. In residential settings it covers residents whose only or principal home is in the building.
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Responsible Person must take general fire precautions to ensure the safety of relevant persons. This includes people who may need assistance to evacuate.
The Fire Safety Order does not use the exact term “PEEP” in every case, but the duty to protect vulnerable people is clear. Guidance for offices, care homes, sleeping accommodation and other premises expects consideration of individual needs.
New rules for certain residential buildings in England (from 6 April 2026) The Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025 introduce specific duties known as Residential PEEPs (or RPEEPs). These apply to multi-occupied residential buildings that are:
In these buildings the Responsible Person must:
Residents cannot be forced to participate. Engagement is voluntary.
Offices and workplaces Employers must consider staff and regular visitors who cannot evacuate unaided. PEEPs are expected as part of a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment. Refuge areas, evacuation chairs, and trained assistants are common solutions.
Care homes and supported housing High proportion of residents may need assistance. Detailed, regularly reviewed PEEPs (or equivalent person-centred plans) are essential and closely scrutinised by regulators.
HMOs and blocks of flats Even where the new Residential PEEPs Regulations do not apply, the Fire Safety Order still requires the Responsible Person to consider residents who may struggle to evacuate. Flat entrance doors, means of escape, and management arrangements must reflect this.
Higher-risk residential buildings The 2026 Regulations create clearer, more structured duties focused on identification, assessment, written statements and information sharing with the fire service.
A practical PEEP typically covers:
The plan should be realistic, agreed with the individual, and tested where practicable (for example during fire drills).
For buildings covered by the 2026 Residential PEEPs Regulations, follow the official government guidance and toolkit for Responsible Persons.
At Fire Safety Risk Assessment, we consider the needs of vulnerable people as a standard part of every Fire Risk Assessment. Whether you manage an office, HMO, care setting or residential block, we help identify gaps in evacuation planning and provide clear, practical recommendations.
Our assessments align with current legislation, including the Fire Safety Order and the new Residential Evacuation Plans Regulations where they apply.
Related reading:
PEEPs are not just paperwork. They are a practical tool that can save lives. Whether you are an employer, landlord or managing agent, identifying people who may need help and putting realistic plans in place is a core part of your fire safety duties.
If you are unsure whether your current arrangements are adequate, or if your building falls under the new Residential PEEPs rules, a professional Fire Risk Assessment is the best starting point.
Need help with PEEPs or a full Fire Risk Assessment? Contact Fire Safety Risk Assessment today for clear, compliant advice tailored to your premises.
Trusted Fire Risk Assessment specialists serving Birmingham, Manchester, West Midlands, Warrington, and across the UK. FSRA provides fully compliant Fire Risk Assessments, Asbestos Surveys, and Legionella Risk Assessments to help businesses and landlords protect people, property, and meet legal obligations.