Coming into effect on 6th April 2026, the Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025 aim to improve fire safety and evacuation in residential buildings across England for residents who would struggle to evacuate a building themselves in the event of a fire. This could be down to physical mobility issues, or other disabilities such as sight or hearing impairments, or cognitive conditions.
These regulations will ensure that managers sufficiently identify, plan for and assist those in need of additional support, thus closing critical fire-service information gaps. This represents a significant development in fire safety law and how residential and some mixed-use buildings are managed.
Here at Hydro Protect, we are specialists in fire safety and can design, install and maintain fire sprinklers in London. Having worked on a variety of buildings, we can work with you to create a system that ensures your property is completely compliant with the latest Fire Safety Regulations. To discuss your building’s requirements further, speak to our experts today.
A Summary Of The Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) Regulations 2025
| Feature | Requirement / Detail |
| Date Effective | 6th April 2026 |
| Applicable Buildings | 1. High-Rise 18m+ or 7+ storeys 2. Mid-Rise 11m+ only if using a simultaneous evacuation strategy. |
| The “RP” Duty | Must use “Reasonable Endeavours” to proactively identify residents who cannot self-evacuate. |
| Step 1: The Assessment | PCFRA (Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment): A tailored assessment of the individual’s specific needs and dwelling risks. |
| Step 2: The Outcome | Emergency Evacuation Statement: A written document agreed with the resident outlining their specific exit plan. |
| Step 3: The Big Picture | Building Emergency Evacuation Plan (BEEP): A whole-building strategy identifying where “statement” holders are located. |
| Information Sharing | Secure Information Box: Must contain the BEEP and Individual Statement details (requires explicit resident consent). |
| Review Cycle | Must be reviewed every 12 months , or sooner if building conditions or a resident’s needs change. |
| Resident Rights | Participation is voluntary. Residents can refuse an assessment or withdraw consent for data sharing at any time. |
Do These New Regulations Apply To Your Building?
These regulations will apply to all buildings with two or more sets of domestic premises, and are either:
- High-Rise Residential: At least 18 metres above ground level or has at least seven storeys,
- Mid-Rise Exceptions: More than 11 metres in height above ground level, with simultaneous evacuation strategies in place.
There has been a focus on height and occupancy risks.
What Changes Are Coming Into Place?
This mandatory legal standard will change how building owners, landlords and managing agents must approach residential safety. It places a stronger responsibility on the ‘Responsible Person’ to focus on individuals who may struggle to evacuate a building during an emergency.
For many years, residential buildings have long relied on ‘stay put’ strategies or full evacuation depending on the property. However, following major fire incidents, concerns have been raised that the safety of vulnerable residents requires further examination and improvement.
Investigations into serious building fires highlighted a critical gap in fire safety, where emergency services arrive at an emergency without knowing who needs assistance or where they are located, delaying rescue efforts and increasing risk.
This has, therefore, led to new regulations to ensure that those who cannot easily evacuate alone are identified and protected through Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessments (PCFRAs) and Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (RPEEPs).
The Requirements For The Responsible Person
From 6th April 2026, in the relevant premises, the responsible person must:
- Make reasonable endeavours to identify residents with mobility or other disabilities who may require assistance to evacuate safely,
- Provide a person-centred fire risk assessment (PCFRA) to support any identified resident in their evacuation plan,
- If an evacuation method is agreed upon, it must be recorded in an Emergency Evacuation Statement, and a copy must be given to the resident.
- Develop a Building Emergency Evacuation Plan that covers the entire premises and identifies the location of the “Statement” holders.
- The responsible person must review this person-centred fire risk assessment with the resident every 12 months, or where amendments or updates are required, for example, if the resident’s condition has changed.
What You Must Do To Ensure Compliance:
The Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment
What Is A Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (RPEEP)?
An RPEEP is a personal evacuation plan for residents who require additional support in evacuating a building in the event of a fire. The RPEEP details the support they require and what arrangements must be in place to help the resident evacuate safely.
Building managers must identify residents who may struggle with evacuation. These residents must be offered a Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment (PCFRA) to create an individual evacuation statement. This document outlines the specific steps to be taken to support their safe exit.
How Often Should RPEEPs Be Reviewed?
RPEEPs should be reviewed regularly, when a resident’s needs change, or when there are changes to the building or staffing arrangements. Regularly reviewing the RPEEPs will ensure that the plans remain suitable and effective.
What Is An Emergency Evacuation Statement?
An Emergency Evacuation Statement is a written document that confirms the agreed-upon evacuation plan and details the exact actions a resident should take in the event of a fire. This is the outcome of the Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment process.
Can Residents Refuse A PCFRA?
Yes, residents can choose to refuse a Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessment. It is entirely voluntary for residents to participate in the PCFRA process and the wider Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans. Residents can also withdraw their consent to participate or share information at any time. However, the Responsible Person must document the resident’s refusal for due diligence.
The Building Emergency Evacuation Plan (Whole Building)
Information Required For A Building Emergency Evacuation Statement
With the resident’s consent, the responsible person should share the relevant resident’s details with the Fire Service, including their:
- Flat number,
- Floor number,
- Basic information on the degree of assistance required,
- Emergency evacuation statement.
This applies to all residents who take part in the Residential PEEPs process, even if they have their own evacuation plan. These plans may not work on the day of an emergency, and the Fire Service must know the resident’s location and the support they need.
This information is shared with the Fire Service by storing it in a secure premises information box, which is thus accessible in the event of an emergency or during a premises inspection. This box must hold current and accurate premises information, including that relating to Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.
Why Is This Information So Important?
In the event of an emergency, the fire and rescue services must act fast to preserve life. A clear, short and useful description helps them carry out rescues or evacuations quickly and efficiently.
Ensure That You Are in Compliance
This legislation came into effect on 6th April 2026. Therefore, property owners and managing agents must ensure that they are aligned with these changes. This includes engaging with residents to gather the necessary information for RPEEPs and PCFRAs, and trust is key to creating an effective culture of safety.
Your existing fire risk assessments will likely need to be updated to align with the new legal requirements, and professional guidance can help ensure that your building is compliant.
To speak to a professional about your fire safety legislation compliance, and making sure that your building aligns with The Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans)(England) Regulations 2025, and future legislative changes, speak to the team at Hydro Protect today.