PEEPS for High Rise Buildings

A Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (or PEEP) is a specific plan used to ensure that those who may need assistance can evacuate safely in an emergency, for example persons with limited mobility, vision or hearing. These are often used in situations such as healthcare premises, hotels and residential educational establishments where people with restricted mobility may be present.

Previously, following on from the Phase 1 report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry in 2021 the Government ran a consultation looking at proposals that would make the owner and manager of every high-rise residential building legally responsible for preparing a PEEP for all residents whose ability to self-evacuate may be compromised and for including up-to-date information about persons with reduced mobility and their associated PEEPs in the premises information box.

Overall there was strong support for the proposal to require the Responsible Person (RP) to prepare a PEEP for every resident who self-identifies to them as unable to self-evacuate and do so in consultation with the residents. However, there were also significant concerns raised regarding the proportionality and practicality of introducing PEEPS as set out in the consultation.

In view of these concerns, earlier in the year the government launched a new consultation on alternative proposals to support the fire safety of residents whose ability to self-evacuate may be compromised. This consultation closed in August and the outcome has not yet been published.

In the meantime it has now been reported that following an appeal the High Court has granted disability rights group, Claddag, permission to apply for a judicial review of the government’s decision not to implement the recommendations made by the Grenfell Tower Inquiry concerning PEEPs.

Please speak to your normal PIB Risk Management contact or get in touch using the form below if you have any questions regarding fire safety or would like to arrange a fire risk assessment for your premises.