An Update on Fire Safety Residential Evacuation Regulations from Francis

New regulations relating to Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) are due to come into force from 6 April 2026, introducing additional responsibilities for Responsible Persons managing certain residential buildings in England. Our Senior Fire Risk Assessor, Francis Ejikeme, breaks down the new regulations and outlines what buildings they will apply to.

The regulations aim to improve arrangements for residents who may have difficulty evacuating independently in the event of a fire. This includes residents with mobility impairments, sensory disabilities or congestive conditions whose ability to follow the building’s evacuation strategy may be compromised. Key elements of the regulations include:

• Taking reasonable steps to identify residents who may require assistance evacuating
• Offering a person-centred fire risk assessment (PCFRA) to understand the resident’s specific evacuation challenges
• Preparing an emergency evacuation statement where appropriate, outlining agreed actions in the event of a fire
• Sharing limited evacuation information with the local Fire and Rescue Authority, subject to resident consent
• Preparing and maintaining a building emergency evacuation plan.

The regulations apply to residential buildings with two or more dwelling that are either 18m in height or have at least seven-storeys; or over 11m in height above ground level where a simultaneous evacuation strategy is in place.

These changes aim to improve evacuation planning and ensure that the needs of the residents who may require assistance are better considered within the fire safety management arrangements.

We provide Fire Safety Consultancy services across residential and commercial sectors. If you would like to discuss how these changes may affect your building or project, please feel free to contact our Fire Safety team.