Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (RPEEPs) - Guidance for Building Managers/Owners (Responsible Persons)
If you are a resident in a building under these regulations more information can be found in Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan
New safety rules for some residential buildings from 6 April 2026
From 6 April 2026, new regulations come into force in England to help improve the safety of residents who may need support to evacuate their building in the event of a fire.
These changes are known as the Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025. They introduce a new process called Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (RPEEPs).
What is changing?
The new regulations require the Responsible Person for certain residential buildings (usually the building owner, landlord or managing agent) to:
- make reasonable endeavours to identify residents who may struggle to evacuate without assistance during a fire
- offer them a person-centred fire risk assessment
- work with the resident (if they choose) to agree a simple emergency evacuation statement (the resident should still phone 999 in an emergency)
- put in place reasonable and proportionate measures to support their safety
- prepare a building wide emergency evacuation plan
- share a small amount of essential information with the fire and rescue service - but only if the resident gives explicit consent
These changes apply from 6 April 2026.
Which buildings are covered?
The new duties apply to residential buildings in England that are:
- 18 metres or 7 storeys above ground level or higher, or
- over 11 metres above ground level where a simultaneous evacuation strategy is in place (meaning everyone should leave the building if there is a fire, even if you are not directly affected by the smoke from the fire)
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service currently expect responsible persons to ensure that emergency evacuation plans and essential information relating to residents that require evacuation to be placed and maintained within a secure information box that is easily accessible by operational fire crews at the premises. A set of nationally standardised forms will be published on our website shortly.
Why are these changes being introduced?
After the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, the Government committed to improving evacuation arrangements for people whose ability to evacuate without assistance may be affected.
The aim of the new rules is to ensure residents who would need assistance to evacuate are identified, considered, and supported in a practical way.
Support for Responsible Persons
The Government has published guidance for Responsible Persons who are required to carry out Residential PEEPs in premises where regulations apply. This guidance explains the Responsible Person’s legal duties under the regulations, provides advice on how these duties can be met, and outlines key considerations, including the roles of residents and the Local Fire and Rescue Authority.
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service encourage Responsible Persons to whom the regulations apply to ensure they can clearly demonstrate compliance with the new regulations.
Responsible Persons toolkit
Further resources are available to Responsible Persons in considering potential interventions and strategies to support the fire safety of vulnerable residents. The responsible includes examples of real-life initiatives that Responsible Persons have successfully implemented in their buildings, which others may wish to adopt.
For further advice, guidance or support with implementing these new regulations, please contact our Business Support Team by calling 0115 838 8205 or by emailing fireprotection@notts-fire.gov.uk