In our recent Ask the Experts podcast episode, Principal Consultant, Stewart Kerr, and Head of Knowledge and Insight, Letrice Thomas, discussed the Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025, covering Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (RPEEPs) and Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessments.
Tune in to the full podcast here.
These new requirements mark a significant step forward in improving fire safety for vulnerable residents, something that has been developing since the Grenfell Tower tragedy. Initially introduced in Dame Judith Hackitt’s ‘Building a Safer Future’ report and following the Emergency Evacuation Information Sharing Plus (EEIS+) consultation, the regulations will come into effect on 6th April 2026.
The regulations apply to:
The regulations do not apply in Wales or Scotland as separate legislative frameworks are in place.
A simultaneous evacuation strategy is typically adopted where a building is deemed unsafe to maintain a “stay put” policy, often due to issues such as combustible cladding or poor fire compartmentation. The strategy might arise from the building’s fire safety plan, advice from a Fire Risk Assessment, or recommendations from the local Fire and Rescue Service.
For expert insights into when you need a Fire Risk Assessment, download your free Guide to Safe and Compliant Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs) here.
From April 2026, residents in buildings within the scope will be entitled to request a Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment (PCFRA) if they believe they may struggle to evacuate in an emergency due to vulnerability.
The Responsible Person (RP), usually the landlord, building owner, or managing agent, must then:
Any associated costs for mitigations may be covered by the resident, the building owner, or collectively by residents if the measure benefits everyone (for example, the installation of a communal fire alarm).
While residents can request a PCFRA, landlords also have a duty to identify vulnerable residents proactively. Many people may not feel comfortable declaring vulnerabilities, so building owners should maintain open communication and ensure residents understand their evacuation strategy and available support.
The key is awareness and trust, residents should feel confident that disclosing vulnerabilities will lead to support in the event of an emergency situation.
Organisations can decide who performs the PCFRA, often housing managers or other trained staff. A toolkit and checklists are already available to help you navigate this process.
However, resident consent is essential. If consent is withdrawn by the resident at any stage, the process must stop immediately.
Once the assessment is completed, the responsible person must prepare the evacuation statement, agree on proportional mitigations, and ensure everything is securely documented in line with GDPR requirements. PCFRAs must be reviewed at least every 12 months or sooner if the resident’s circumstances change.
Fire and Rescue Services must be informed of vulnerable residents through the secure information box. The information should be clear, concise, and practical as fire crews will need to access it quickly during an emergency.
It is advisable to establish early communication with your local Fire and Rescue Service (or Primary Authority, where applicable) to understand their preferred format for receiving this information.
Failure to comply can result in enforcement by the local Fire and Rescue Service, which can include enforcement action, prohibition notices, or fines. During familiarisation visits, fire officers are likely to check whether vulnerable residents have been identified and whether PCFRAs and statements are up to date.
It is important that responsible persons start preparing now. Key next steps include:
Training is vital, as these assessments involve sensitive discussions about vulnerability. Staff must be equipped to handle these conversations respectfully and effectively.
The Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025 represent an important shift towards more inclusive fire safety management. Do not wait until 6th of April, start understanding what your process will look like and identifying who will undertake this now. By acting early, building owners and landlords can ensure they not only comply with the new legislation but also protect their residents.
If you are looking for support understanding the new emergency evacuation requirements, reach out to get in touch with our team of fire safety experts.