The Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025 

6 storey UK block of flats

On the 6 April 2026 the Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025 come into force.

The aim of these Regulations is to 'improve the fire safety and evacuation of residents of specified residential buildings in England who would have difficulties evacuating the residential building by themselves in the event of a fire'. This may be due to physical mobility, a disability such as sight or hearing impairment, or a cognitive condition.

Dependent on the building, Responsible Persons will need to identify such residents and undertake a suite of measures which are detailed below.

Who the new Regulations affect:

Responsible Persons

If you are a Responsible Person for a high-rise residential building these Regulations apply to:

  • 'all buildings that are high-rise residential buildings, that is buildings containing two or more sets of domestic premises ('multi-residential') that are at least 18 metres above ground level or have at least 7 storeys; and
  • all multi-residential building more than 11 metres in height above ground level (typically a building height of 5 storeys or more) that have simultaneous evacuation strategies in place'

You will need to identify relevant residents, undertake an assessment, create an emergency evacuation statement, inform the Fire and Rescue Authority, and undertake subsequent review.

For further details see 'For Responsible Persons' below

Residents

If you are a resident in a high-rise residential building:

  • containing two or more sets of domestic premises ('multi-residential') that are at least 18 metres above ground level or have at least 7 storeys;' and/or
  • your building is more than 11 metres in height above ground level (typically a building height of 5 storeys or more) and has simultaneous evacuation strategies in place

and you would 'have difficulties evacuating a building without assistance in the event of a fire', your building's Responsible Person will ask for your consent to create a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan and agree it with you. 

 

For further details see 'For Residents' below

 

For Responsible Persons

The Government have published helpful guidance for Responsible Persons. Kent Fire and Rescue Service encourage RPs to read and  familiarise themselves with this guidance. This Guidance outlines the measures RPs must take which includes

  • identifying relevant residents
  • carrying out a person--centred fire risk assessment
  • preparing an emergency evacuation statement
  • providing information to the Fire and Rescue Service
  • reviewing regularly

Detailed information is provided on each of these measures, plus additional guidance on sharing information and its format, preparing plans, and enforcement. 

Go to the Guidance for RPs

Using the RP Toolkit

When identifying relevant residents (see paras.3 - 6.5 of the Guidance referred to above ) RPs are encouraged to use the RP Toolkit provided by the government. 

This toolkit offers support for RPs on potential interventions and strategies for the fire safety of vulnerable residents. It contains examples of real initiatives successfully used by other RPs in different situations, including assessments, identifying and engaging residents, 'in-flat' fire safety measures and sharing information with Fire and Rescue Services. The details include a brief background for each example, what RPs did, and the resources and considerations that apply in each case. 

Go to Responsible Persons Toolkit

Drawing of webinar taking place on a laptop

Join our free webinar to learn more

If you are a Responsible Persons and want to learn more, please join our forthcoming free webinars, when we will provide an overview of the regulations to assist you in understanding what is required.

The webinars will take place on

  • 10 March 2026 - 12:00 noon –13:00pm
  • 27 March 2026 - 13:00pm –14:00pm

To book your place, simply complete our form and we will provide you with joining instructions.

Join our free webinar

For residents

These new regulations apply to you (a) if your premises are your only or principal residence, and (b) you have a physical or mental impairment or condition that would affect your ability to evacuate the building without help if there were a fire.

Working out if this applies to you

Your Responsible Person will try to identify if the above applies to you. If it does, they will ask you to consent to them undertaking a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) with you. You have the right to refuse if you wish. You can also request one yourself.

Your personal fire risk assessment

If you agree, the RP will carry out a personal fire risk assessment with you. This will assess the risks to you in relation to your mental or physical impairment or condition and your ability to evacuate the building without help if there were a fire. You do not have to share medical records or specific information with your RP.

Measures to mitigate your risk

Your RP will discuss with you what measures need to be taken. 

Emergency evacuation statement

As a result of your discussion, you should be able to decide what you should do in the event of a fire. Your RP will write this down in an 'emergency evacuation statement' and review it with you every 12 months and update or amend it as needed. You can also request an update

Letting the Fire and Rescue Service know

Finally, if you agree, your RP will share the information with the Fire and Rescue Service. This will enable the Fire Service to support your evacuation and rescue in the event of a fire 

If you would like to learn more, please go to the Government Guidance 'Residential PEEPS: Factsheet' which explains in detail what is involved in each of the above.