Summary

On 6 April 2026, the Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025 officially came into force. This legislation introduces strict new legal requirements for the individuals designated as a "Responsible Person" under UK fire safety law. Consequently, building owners, landlords, and managing agents must take immediate, proactive steps to implement individualised evacuation plans for vulnerable residents.

A high-rise residential block of flats in England, requiring a designated fire safety responsible person to implement updated 2026 evacuation regulations.

Are You a Fire Safety ‘Responsible Person’? New Legal Duties You Need to Know

Fire safety legislation in England has taken another significant step forward. Following recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, the Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025 officially came into force on 6 April 2026. If you are a building owner, landlord, or managing agent, you are legally classified as the fire safety responsible person. Consequently, these regulations introduce new, non-negotiable statutory duties regarding high-rise residential evacuation planning.

Understanding Residential PEEPs (RPEEPs)

The heart of the 2025 Regulations is the formal introduction of Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans, commonly known as RPEEPs.

An RPEEP is an individualised fire evacuation strategy tailored specifically for residents who may find self-evacuation difficult during an emergency. This includes individuals with mobility impairments, sensory conditions such as sight or hearing loss, and cognitive difficulties. To be eligible, the resident must occupy the property as their primary or principal home.

Specifically, a fully compliant RPEEP must document:

The exact assistance a resident requires during an emergency.
The formal internal arrangements in place to support their escape.
Clear instructions on what the resident must do if a fire breaks out.
Prescribed data for local Fire and Rescue Services to aid their operational response.

The Duties of the Responsible Person

The regulations state that resident participation in an RPEEP is entirely voluntary. A resident must give explicit consent before a plan is created or shared, and they hold the legal right to withdraw that consent at any time.

However, the burden of proactive action rests squarely on the housing provider. To achieve full legal compliance as the designated fire safety responsible person, you must adhere to the following framework:

1. Identify Relevant Residents

You must use “reasonable endeavours” to identify occupants who require assistance. This involves writing to all residents, incorporating self-referral questions into onboarding processes, and maintaining meticulous records of your communication.

2. Conduct Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessments (PCFRAs)

If a resident requests an evacuation plan, you must offer and conduct a formal PCFRA. It is important to note that a PCFRA is a specialised assessment of the specific risks facing that individual resident within their flat. This stands as a mandatory addition to the building’s overarching Fire Risk Assessment required under Article 9 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

3. Create and Review Evacuation Statements

Following the assessment, you must work with the resident to prepare an Emergency Evacuation Statement. These documents must be reviewed at least annually, or sooner if a resident’s physical or cognitive needs change.

4. Secure Information Boxes and Data Sharing

You must store all individual RPEEPs securely to satisfy UK data protection laws. Crucially, you are required to compile a Building Emergency Evacuation Plan (BEEP) for the entire premises. The BEEP, along with the prescribed resident evacuation details, must be shared with your local Fire and Rescue Authority and placed inside the building’s Secure Information Box for emergency crews.

Which Buildings Are Covered?

The 2025 Regulations do not apply to all properties. Specifically, these duties apply to residential buildings in England that meet any of the following criteria:

The building stands at or above 18 metres in height from ground level.
The premises contains at least 7 storeys.
The building is between 11 and 18 metres in height and operates a simultaneous evacuation strategy.

Demonstrating Reasonable Endeavours

Regulatory authorities look for robust documentary evidence when auditing compliance. If a resident refuses to engage or declines to give consent for an RPEEP, you should retain all copies of correspondence. Keeping clear, transparent records is an essential part of honest stewardship and serves as vital evidence that you have fulfilled your legal Duty of Care.

How Chris Garland Training Can Help

Navigating new fire safety legislation can feel complex, but ensuring compliance does not have to be a stressful administrative chore. We believe that high-quality training provides businesses and property managers with the genuine confidence to protect the people in their care.

To support your team in meeting these 2026 legal standards, we offer fully accredited, expert-led courses nationwide from our Cheshire base:

Fire Marshal and Fire Warden Training: Empower your staff with the practical skills to manage evacuations and understand modern risk frameworks.
Evacuation Chair and Sledge Training: Ensure your designated teams are fully competent in using specialized escape hardware safely.
Evacuation Equipment Train-the-Trainer: Qualify your internal staff to deliver ongoing, consistent instruction across your organisation.

Protect your business reputation, satisfy the local Fire Authority, and move beyond simple checkbox compliance.