RPEEPs: One Month to go!
This Lunch & Learn explored an urgent regulatory change facing the sector in 2026: the Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations. Hosted by Matt Hodges-Long and joined by Elspeth Grant of Triple A Solutions, the session focused on what Responsible Persons must do before the regulations come into force on 6 April 2026.
Overview
The Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations apply to specified residential buildings, including Higher-Risk Buildings under the Building Safety Act and mid-rise buildings that operate a simultaneous evacuation strategy.
During the session, Matt Hodges-Long outlined the ten key duties placed on Responsible Persons, while Elspeth Grant provided insight into the practical realities of implementing evacuation planning in residential buildings.
Although evacuation planning has long been required under the Fire Safety Order, the regulations bring new structure and accountability to the process of identifying evacuation-impaired residents and developing evacuation arrangements.
Topics discussed included identifying relevant residents, Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessments (PCFRAs), Emergency Evacuation Statements (EES), data sharing with Fire and Rescue Services, and the development of a Building Emergency Evacuation Plan (BEEP).
Here are the key takeaways from the session.
Details
1. The regulations focus on identifying ‘relevant residents‘
The first duty for Responsible Persons is identifying residents who may be evacuation impaired due to physical or cognitive conditions.
This requires organisations to make reasonable endeavours to identify residents who may need additional support during evacuation.
Matt Hodges-Long emphasised that this is not a one-off exercise. Residents move, circumstances change, and impairments may develop over time.
As a result, identification must be treated as an ongoing management process, supported by regular engagement and clear record keeping.
2. Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessments underpin individual arrangements
Where residents accept support, Responsible Persons must conduct a Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment (PCFRA).
These assessments consider both the resident’s needs and the physical characteristics of the building to determine appropriate mitigating measures.
Although the regulations do not require specialist qualifications, Matt recommended ensuring those conducting assessments have at least basic training to ensure assessments are carried out competently.
Elspeth Grant reinforced this point, noting that the process itself is not overly complex but requires a structured and methodical approach.
3. Mitigating measures must be practical and agreed with residents
Once a PCFRA has been completed, appropriate mitigating measures must be implemented.
These may involve changes to evacuation arrangements or the use of assisted escape devices.
Elspeth highlighted that there is often uncertainty around who pays for mitigation measures, whether this sits with the Responsible Person, through service charges, or with the resident themselves.
Clear documentation of decisions and responsibilities is therefore essential.
4. Emergency Evacuation Statements record agreed arrangements
Where mitigating measures are agreed, the Responsible Person must record an Emergency Evacuation Statement (EES).
The EES outlines the agreed evacuation arrangements for the resident and forms part of the documentation demonstrating compliance.
All arrangements must be reviewed regularly, with the regulations requiring review at least every 12 months.
Both speakers stressed the importance of keeping records that clearly demonstrate the reasoning behind decisions.
5. Data sharing with Fire and Rescue Services introduces complexity
Responsible Persons must share certain information with the Fire and Rescue Service, including whether evacuation assistance is required and whether an Emergency Evacuation Statement exists.
However, this raises significant data protection considerations, as the information involved may include highly sensitive personal data.
Elspeth Grant noted that forthcoming legislation may change how consent requirements operate in safeguarding and emergency response contexts, though this remains untested in law.
Matt emphasised that organisations must still ensure compliance with GDPR and the Data Protection Act when collecting and sharing resident information.
“The Responsible Person must ensure that ‘explicit consent’ is gained from the resident to share information with the Fire Service.
6. The Building Emergency Evacuation Plan supports fire service response
Another key requirement is the preparation of a Building Emergency Evacuation Plan (BEEP).
This document provides the Fire and Rescue Service with information about the building and its evacuation arrangements.
Importantly, the BEEP must be prepared even if there are no evacuation-impaired residents or where consent has not been given to share personal information.
The plan must also be reviewed regularly and updated whenever changes occur.
7. Secure Information Boxes raise security concerns
One topic that prompted discussion was the use of Secure Information Boxes (SIBs) for sharing evacuation information.
Elspeth Grant advised caution about storing lists of vulnerable residents within SIBs due to potential security risks.
With some estimates suggesting that up to 24% of residents in high-rise buildings may be evacuation impaired, placing this information in a physical box could expose sensitive data if accessed improperly.
As a result, digital information sharing is increasingly being considered as a more secure approach where available.
8. Assisted escape devices must be suitable for each building
The session also explored the role of assisted escape devices.
Elspeth Grant explained that a wide range of devices are now available, designed for different building layouts and resident needs.
This means evacuation solutions are not one-size-fits-all, and equipment must be tested within the building environment to ensure it works effectively.
9. Operator training and evacuation strategy are critical
Research referenced during the session highlighted that operator proficiency is often more important than the equipment itself.
When used by trained operators, evacuation chairs can move down stairwells at speeds comparable to other occupants.
However, Professor Ed Galea noted that the evacuation strategy must also account for building design factors such as narrow stairwells or tight corners on landings.
Training should therefore cover both equipment operation and evacuation strategy.
Summary
With the Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations coming into force on 6 April 2026, organisations responsible for residential buildings must ensure evacuation planning processes are in place.
The session reinforced that while the regulations introduce a new structure, the underlying principles of evacuation planning are not new.
As Elspeth Grant noted during the discussion, compliance is not overly complex but requires a disciplined and methodical approach.
The key priority for Responsible Persons is ensuring they can demonstrate that reasonable steps have been taken to identify residents who need support, assess their circumstances, and document evacuation arrangements clearly.
Ultimately, effective compliance will depend on evidence, documentation and a clear operational process.
The next session will take place on Thursday, 2nd April 2026 at 12:00 PM.