New Regulations Are Coming: What Facilities Managers Must Know About PEEPs in Residential & Multi Use Buildings

Turning legal change into practical action

With legislation now paving the way for greater evacuation responsibility, building owners and facilities managers must be proactive.

The Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025 (the “Regulations”) were laid on 4 July 2025 and come into force on 6 April 2026.

They introduce mandatory Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) in specified high‑risk residential buildings.

Here’s what Facilities Managers need to know – and how Evaccess can help you convert compliance into operational assurance.

 What the Regulations cover

• Building owners and managers (Responsible Persons) must use reasonable endeavours to identify relevant residents who may require assistance to evacuate.
• Person‑centred fire risk assessments must consider individual mobility, sensory or cognitive impairments when planning evacuation strategies.
• The Regulations apply to buildings in England with two or more sets of domestic premises and designated as higher‑risk or high‑rise.

Why this matters now

• The scope of evacuation planning is expanding beyond just fire escape routes or generic “buddy” systems. If you manage a multi‑occupancy residential site (flats, care homes, student residences) you are likely in scope.
• Paper‑based evacuation policies are no longer enough. If the evacuation plan doesn’t account for how individuals will safely exit – especially stairs or mobility‑challenged routes – you risk non‑compliance and liability.
• The requirement for PEEPs puts pressure on building managers to ensure real, practical evacuation equipment and processes – not just documentation.

The gaps we see

In our work with clients at Evaccess, we regularly find:

• PEEPs exist only on paper with no matching evacuation equipment or trained staff.
• Staircases that are too narrow or steep for generic chairs, with no powered solution in place.
• No consideration for scenarios where power fails or staff numbers are reduced – yet these are exactly the conditions the Regulations envisage.
• Lack of training and drills that incorporate occupants with mobility needs.

How to move from regulation to assurance

1. Audit your building now: Identify occupant profiles, evacuation routes, stair geometry and staff readiness.
2. Match equipment to need: Choose solutions that allow occupants to evacuate with dignity and independence (e.g., stair‑climbers, transfer‑free evacuators).
3. Train your staff and occupants: Real‑world drills, not just familiarisation; make sure each PEEP is actionable.
4. Embed the process: PEEPs should be living documents linked to equipment maintenance, drills and review cycles.
5. Document compliance: Keep records of assessments, equipment, training and evacuation drills to demonstrate due diligence.

With the April 2026 deadline in view, waiting is not an option. The Regulations signal a shift from optional best practice to mandatory expectation around inclusive evacuation.

For Facilities Managers, the message is clear: It’s not just about ticking boxes – it’s about ensuring every individual in your building can evacuate safely, quickly and with dignity.

At Evaccess, we partner with you – from audit and equipment supply through to staff training and procedural assurance – to make sure your PEEPs aren’t just policies, but practised evacuation plans.

The Evaccess Commitment

Beyond providing evacuation equipment, Evaccess is dedicated to supporting organisations in meeting modern safety and accessibility standards. The team offers expert guidance, compliance support, and hands-on training to ensure that evacuation plans are practical, effective, and legally compliant.

By partnering with Evaccess, organisations can take proactive steps to improve safeguarding measures – ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, has a safe and dignified evacuation solution in an emergency.

The Evaccess Commitment

Beyond providing evacuation equipment, Evaccess is dedicated to supporting organisations in meeting modern safety and accessibility standards.

The team offers expert guidance, compliance support, and hands-on training to ensure that evacuation plans are practical, effective, and legally compliant.

Call us for advice and information. 0121 444 3690

Get in. Get Out. Together.